Cloud Applications
The term "cloud" is used as a metaphor for the Internet. Software programs, or applications, that reside on a remote server somewhere and can be accessed (or "run") through an ordinary browser, like Internet Explorer or Firefox. The browser is a "client" application. It runs locally on the client’s computer. The browser interfaces with the software application on the server. Since the server location is arbitrary (it could be anywhere) then the application can be considered a "cloud application". The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) defines cloud computing as:
"A model for enabling convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources (e.g., networks, servers, storage, applications, and services) that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort or service provider interaction."
Cloud applications offer the following key advantages:
- Data sharing: a database on the server can be shared by all users
- No software to install or maintain on client (user) computers
- Program updates are immediately realized by all users without having to update other software
Typical cloud applications include business applications, productivity software, production systems, quoting systems, shopping carts, inventory management, asset management, corporate Intranets ... truly just about any software can be run "in the cloud".
