What is Cloud Computing: Definition of Cloud Computing

Cloud Computing refers to the delivery of hosted services over the internet; here’s an insight to basics of cloud companies, best cloud computing vendors, and the future of this technology.

Cloud Computing

There are three main categories in it:

1. Infrastructure as a Service – IaaS.
2. Platform as a Service – PaaS.
3. Software as a Service – SaaS.

Why Is It Called Cloud Computing

The service got the label of ‘cloud computing’ as it was inspired by the cloud symbol, which usually represents the flow of content over the net.

The cloud computing differs from the traditional stuff in three distinct characteristics:

1. Cloud computing takes place on Demand for every minute or hour.
2. It is flexible: the user can have how much ever services he or she needs. Any amount and at any time.
3. The entire management is by the provider. So the user need not know the functionalities of it. Just a computer and an internet connection will suffice.

Public and Private Cloud Computing

Just as in case of any service, cloud computing is also classified as public and private cloud computing.

A private cloud is one that acts as a data center supplying hosted services to a limited number of people. Public cloud can however render services to anyone and everyone. Right now, Amazon is the largest Public cloud computing service provider. There is another case called Virtual private cloud. This happens when a public cloud service provider uses its resources to create a private service.

Benefits of Cloud Computing

Irrespective of whatever the kind of service that is provided, public or private, the only aim of cloud computing technology is to allow the users to experience easy and scalable access to the IT services and computing resources at any point of time, and it is gaining greater popularity even during the global recession (which is almost over).

The 3 Kings of Cloud Computing

Google, Microsoft, and Amazon cloud computing services are acclaimed to be the 3 kings of cloud computing. Yahoo! is also counted amongst the major cloud computing vendors, and Yahoo cloud computing services have also been pretty popular off-late too.

Who Will Suffer?

Traditional software producers that could suffer big time, if cloud computing ultimately wins out include:

• Oracle (ORCL)
• SAP AG (SAP)
• Blackbaud (BLKB)
• Lawson Software (LWSN)




Top 10 Cloud Computing Companies that will get a boost with increase in popularity of cloud computing

• Google (GOOG)
• Salesforce.com (CRM)
• Taleo (TLEO)
• NetSuite (N)
• RightNow Technologies (RNOW)
• Amazon.com (AMZN)
• Yahoo! (YHOO)
• Microsoft (MSFT)
• Quest Software (QSFT)
• Omniture (OMTR)