Since 2020 there has been a lot of talk about Cloud, as many companies (professionals, multinationals, SMEs, etc.) have started working in Smart Working.
In reality, we have been talking about the Cloud for dozens of years, but it had not had such a widespread diffusion and use as in recent years.
What does Cloud mean in IT jargon and therefore the Internet?
The translation is "cloud", in fact the symbol of a cloud is often used when talking about Cloud.
In reality it is a technology that allows you to process and store data over a network, all through the internet which allows access to applications and data stored on remote hardware rather than on your PC/MAC or local server.
How do I use or can I use the Cloud?
In the Cloud today we use applications such as:
✔️ Microsoft Office
✔️ Google Workspace
✔️ Google Photo
✔️ CRM (Customer Relationship Management), such as Zoho CRM, HubSpot CRM, Microsoft Dynamics, Oracle CRM, Salesforce, SugarCRM and many others
✔️ ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning), such as SAP ERP, Oracle JD Edwards, Microsoft Dynamics, and many others
✔️Voip switchboards
✔️ and many other applications for designing, creating videos, podcasts, banners, editing images, etc. Many of which we already use on our smartphones.
Can I make backups?
In the Cloud, many companies back up their document archives, which are very easy to find, edit, view, share among colleagues, customers and users, wherever they are in the world.
For example, many of us use Google Photos to store our photos.
We use some Clouds to share archives, videos, messages, files of any format.
In some cases the file can be opened directly on the Cloud that hosts it, in other cases it becomes necessary to download it in order to use it.
Are clouds safe?
Note that to access any Cloud service you use secure access, with a password and now also with code confirmations received on your smartphone or via email.
All major cloud managers have more than one server that stores your information in multiple locations.
This is to compensate for any hardware equipment failures, fires, floods, earthquakes, etc.
So everything is safe, your data will not be lost, unless you delete it, voluntarily or involuntarily. Obviously, various authorizations are required to complete this step, and the data often remains archived for a few weeks on servers set up for the Cloud.
Does the Cloud make work easier?
Obviously!
The Cloud facilitates work, activities and storage.
Everything we have in the Cloud can be used with a PC/MAC or a Smartphone.
If we use a PC/MAC most of the time we do it from home, or in the office, with the fiber connection. In this case we will have truly unlimited use, it depends on the internet operator who often puts FUP (Fair Use Policy) clauses included in contracts and we often do not notice restrictions that may exist both for the use of fiber connection and mobile data (in particular here ).
What if we are not in the office or at home and the internet connection depends only on my smartphone?
As is often the case, I can be found in a shopping mall, hotel, airport, train station, subway, bar, etc., where you plan to connect to local hotspots.
In this case the connections are slow, often interrupted immediately after having just viewed an internet page or downloaded an email, or after a few minutes, because these connections must be shared with other local users. Not only the larger ones have no protection and can download viruses and other things without our knowledge.
In conclusion
The Cloud allows any person and company to work anywhere without problems and access their stored data wherever we are in the world.
