Most of us have heard of ‘cloud computing’, but very few of us have any idea of how it came about. While cloud computing has only become a popular service in recent years, the concept has been around for decades. Here, we give a brief account of the development of cloud computing in the UK.
What is cloud computing?
In short, cloud computing means to store, access, and use data via the internet instead of your computer’s hard drive. It allows files to be accessed from any device, including mobile, tablet, laptop, and desktop – all you need is an internet connection.
With so many 'clouds', it can be hard to work out which one is best. Read our White Paper 'Are all clouds the same?' for the facts >>
What is cloud computing used for?
Cloud computing can be used to upload information such as files, emails, and contacts, which can then be shared with colleagues and viewed/used on other devices.
In 2014, the European Commission carried out research to find out how companies in the EU were using the Cloud. Here, we have listed the results of the 28 member states:
66% Email
53% File storage
39% Hosting company databases
34% Office software
31% Finance/accounting
21% CRM
17% Other uses
Cloud computing can improve the efficiency of a UK business, as it eliminates the time that was once spent sending and sharing files with third parties, and only being able to work from one device. It is also useful for disaster recovery, as the contents of your hard drive will be backed up in the case of an emergency.
In the UK, we live in a fast-paced environment where we may need to access work at our desk, at home, or on the train, which is made possible with cloud computing. Additionally, businesses are now able to share work with clients and colleagues all over the world, which has helped companies to grow exponentially.
How has cloud computing developed over the years?
1960s
The concept of cloud computing was born in the late sixties when J.C.R. Licklider developed The Advanced Research Projects Agency Network (ARPANET) - the basis of what we, today, call the Internet. It was his vision for everyone to be able to access information and programmes from anywhere across the globe.
1990s
The World Wide Web – a place where people could access information via the Internet - was developed during the late eighties, and available for public use by the early nineties.
Towards the late nineties, as the Internet became faster, companies started to make applications available for large numbers of people to use over the Internet. Consequently, the Cloud as we know it was developed.
Today
After much research and development, we are now able to store, share, and access data wherever we are, whenever we need it with thanks to the Cloud. According to cloud computing company Salesforce, businesses spent approximately $47 billion on Cloud services in 2013, which is predicted to double by 2017.
It is safe to say that the development of cloud computing is going to grow rapidly in the coming years, and the benefits it has to offer are sure to increase along the way. Many UK businesses are already reaping the successes that cloud computing has brought them, so why not stay a step ahead of the competition and join the cloud community today?
Not sure what Cloud Service you need for your business? Download our White Paper for the facts >>
Find out how cloud computing can help you
If you think your UK company could benefit from cloud computing, call entrustIT on 0330 002 0045 or email us at sales@entrustit.co.uk.