Cloud Computing

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Cloud Computing

The overall concept of cloud computing is one which is based on a new architectural model of computer resources which means the data is stored remotely, but is provided to users as if it was stored locally. This new concept has been described as being "a style of computing where massively scalable IT-enabled capabilities are delivered 'as a service' to external customers using internet technologies" ("Will IT of the Future Have Its Feet Firmly Planted in the "Cloud"?," 2008), in a dramatic shift from traditional computing methods. Cloud computing is also able to provide services to the end user seamlessly, to serve applications from a central location, regardless of the user’s location. There are numerous services such as applications management, database connectivity, file services and instant messaging or email functions which can be provided through the use of cloud computing, and this paper will seek to address some of these services which could be provided to the end home user and to address the feasibility of the provision of such services within the European Union. This concept has been developed for business use, through the provision of serviced applications for a specific purpose, through virtualization of the software using embedded and remote systems. Therefore, there may be a time where service providers decide that this model of computing can be applied to the home user, and therefore services and hardware will need to be developed and marketed at specific customers, instead of using the traditional models of computing which we are all used to.

The traditional model of computer use has the local machine containing the data and applications, whereas the model of cloud computing is very different, wit...

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...ledge on behalf of the user, and can be supported by the infrastructure of the large corporate suppliers of IT products which are now available across the EU. The provision of cloud computing to the home should not therefore be seen as a replacement to the traditional architecture for home computing, but as an alternative solution to be offered alongside the traditional offerings from the technology market.

Works Cited

Schaffhauser, D. (2009). Out of Site, out of Mind. T H E Journal (Technological Horizons In Education), 36(4), 35+.

Waters, J. K. (2010). Up, Up, and Away: Administrators Are Finding That Freedom from the Laborious Work of Maintaining So Much Technology Rests in the Cloud. T H E Journal (Technological Horizons In Education), 37(1), 22+.

Will IT of the Future Have Its Feet Firmly Planted in the "Cloud"?. (2008). ABA Banking Journal, 100(9), 50+.

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