Cloud Computing

As a metaphor for the Internet, "the cloud" is a familiar cliché, but when combined with "computing," the meaning gets bigger and fuzzier. Some analysts and vendors define cloud computing narrowly as an updated version of utility computing: basically virtual servers available over the Internet.

Cloud computing comes into focus only when you think about what IT always needs: a way to increase capacity or add capabilities on the fly without investing in new infrastructure, training new personnel, or licensing new software. Cloud computing encompasses any subscription-based or pay-per-use service that, in real time over the Internet, extends IT's existing capabilities.

The advantages of cloud computing include reduced costs, easy maintenance and re-provisioning of resources, and thereby increased profits. Cloud also helps save the environment

Top Companies using Cloud computing are :
1)Microsoft - Free Services

Top in this list of cloud computing companies stands Microsoft. This king of cloud computing was already offering Skydrive and a host of other services so you can share your documents and images with your family and friends. As cloud computing gained momentum, it started offering few more cloud packages to meet the needs of a diverse clientèle. The most popular among these are Office Live Workspace, BPOS (Business Productivity Online Standard Suite), Office Live 365, and Windows Azure.

2)Google - Free Services

Almost everyone knows and uses Google Docs. The cloud computing package from Google is free to use. Anyone having a Google account can access the service. The cloud package allows you to store your documents, spreadsheets, and presentations online so that you can access them from anywhere in the world.

Google Docs also offers you the facility of in-place editing of the documents stored online. You can share the documents, set privacy and read/write permissions on the files, and can even print them using Google Cloud Print service.

3)Microsoft Office 365
Microsoft Office 365 allows you to host remote servers, set up emails for all the employees in your business, and video conferencing facilities. Like Office Live Workspace, it also allows you to upload, share, edit, and collaborate on documents.

The services come at a cost. The most basic package is email account creation that costs around $2 per employee per month.

4)Google Apps

Google Apps is a collection of its already present services that it integrated in a fashion useful for small businesses. The collection includes email accounts for each employee, Google Docs, and Google videos. Google charges a yearly, fixed fee of around $50 per account and it does not place any restrictions on the number of sub-accounts created within the account. So it can be said that it offers the service at much lower cost compared to Office 365.


5)MOZY - Free Continuous Backup
If we had ignored Microsoft and Google, Mozy would have been at the top in this list of cloud computing companies. Mozy is actually SAAS (Software as a Service) that allows you to back up your important files and documents to remote servers.

The cloud computing service offers 2GB of free space for your backups. If you need more space, you can pay a nominal fee

6)SalesForce
SalesForce offers CRM and Collaboration applications for your use. It allows you to pay as you go. This means you pay only for the services you use. You can ask for more if your requirements increase. SalesForce also offers the facility of creating different applications without having to set up your own data centers

7)IBM Cloud Computing
IBM also follows the typical structure of Windows Azure though the latter was developed recently. IBM currently offers web hosting, backup, and virtualizations facilities

8)Amazon Web Services
A sister product of Amazon, one of the leading online stores, Amazon Web Services offers pay as you go for remote storage. The cloud computing company also offers a range of related services such as networks, web hosting, traffic monitoring, and more. It also offers workforce should you need more resources at cheaper rates.