Cloud Computing - A Guide to Free Computer Software (Webware) for Your Home & Business in 2010
Do you need to buy software any more? How about computing in the cloud?
As a business or individual you can spend a small fortune on purchasing software to manage the mundane to the spectacular as part of your daily life, but do you really need to shell out anything any more?
Cloud computing is a term used to describe services that are provided online, where users no longer need knowledge of, or control over the technology "in the cloud" that supports them. The term cloud comes from the cloud symbol often used to represent the internet in flow charts.
So what does this mean for you and me?
Essentially it means you can now access online tools and services that replicate the functionality you have from your desktop applications online, often for free!
Add to this huge amounts of storage space, which is stored on professionally managed systems in secure buildings, and you are on to a winner. Hard drive fails? No problems all your documents and records are online.
For some of the more intensive applications you can often download free and regularly updated programs that will replicate 99% of the functionality in the paid versions.
What about security I hear you say?
The biggest concern most companies have over online services is security of information. This is a valid concern and perhaps certain information of a particularly critical or sensitive nature should not be stored online but in general your information is being looked after by some of the largest companies in the world who have invested millions of dollars in developing their systems and security. Can you say the same about your IT infrastructure?
OK let’s look at some examples:
As you can see there is free software or online services for the vast majority of software and services you and your company needs on a daily basis and we have only really scratched the surface here.
Why not take a look at some of these tools to see if they can work for you and most important of all save you money?
More Expert Digital-Themed Articles from Flow Interactive Sydney:
What is a blog and does my Sydney Business need one?
Setting up a Manly Business Website
Online Marketing in the Northern Beaches of Sydney
Ivan Slade is a Director at Flow Interactive, a Manly & Northern Beaches Web Design consultancy which aims to help make technology work harder for you. He has over 15 years IT experience across the digital space covering web design and development, multimedia, graphic design, online marketing and much more.
Ivan believes in utilising technology to fulfil business needs, making use of the most appropriate source whether it is existing, new or free, to help businesses achieve competitive advantage. He is a Certified Internet Webmaster, has the equivalent of an IT degree as verified by the Australian Computer Society and is a self confessed geek with a passion for all things digital.
Ivan Slade
Director
Flow Interactive
T: 1300 77 FLOW (3569)
M: 0403 287 556