When you use the cloud, data, programs, and computing capacity are outsourced to storage spaces outside of the user’s location. To do this, several servers are made available in a remote location. Cloud storage offers include renting storage space and the use of computing power – in principle, the complete infrastructure of a data center. In this way, companies and private users can use programs directly via the browser, for example, without having to install them locally. Others use the cloud only for additional storage. Cloud computing is also popular among teams: many collaboration tools are based on the cloud.
Access takes place via a securely encrypted internet connection. The respective users must identify themselves in order to access the storage space. The principle is similar to a company network, but the physical distance between your workplace computer and the server is usually much greater.
Which storage size, which computing capacity, or which software is used by the cloud provider for which period of time is contractually determined. In this way, companies can flexibly choose to increase services at a later date without having to invest in additional hardware or expensive software. It also allows them to forgo regular updates while benefiting from more computing power and storage space. For private users, many services can even be used free of charge.
Via the cloud, users can store and retrieve data. Application programs (software) can also be used via the cloud: This ranges from word processing and spreadsheets to complex programs for design tasks or image processing. The contractually booked software is kept up-to-date by the cloud service provider.
Various apps are already available to synchronize data in the cloud between several stationary or mobile devices, so that the latest version of a file is always available to all authorized users. In addition, several people with access rights to a project or company can work with the data in the cloud at the same time.
An important component of cloud computing is data safety (backups). The highly-secure server farms are not only equipped with redundant storage, but are also well secured physically and thermally. In effect, all data is stored in a well-protected location and is available to users around the clock.