Why Cloud Computing?

Why Cloud Computing?

By Udaya Kumar

Clouds pass over the moon and every cloud gets its chance to completely or partially cover the moon, isn't it? So, this is the basic concept, if understood the assumptions. Accessing the software's partially or completely which is on a particular server is called cloud computing.

Now let's discuss: Why cloud computing?

Hope everyone has a Operating Systems (OS) on your PC's or computers. Have you ever experienced with OS crashing problems? Yes would be the answer, it happens sometimes. Just consider if we are accessing the OS on the manufacturer's server as a service, will that crashing problem occur? I don't think so, because the manufacturer would take care of the software or OS completely and makes sure there is 99% uptime. Similarly, instead of downloading the software, using it, facing problems, troubleshooting it, etc. wouldn't it be good to use the software from the manufacturers or the software providers server? I believe usage information, importance and needs are understood now.

[caption id="attachment_698" align="aligncenter" width="424"] Why Cloud Computing ?[/caption]

You don't have to worry about the software anymore. Just login from anywhere and start using it. Yet there are some factors you need to consider in selecting a perfect cloud or SAAS software provider. Lets consider you are searching for a Time Clock software provider and obviously cloud based, so you need to consider these factors:

1. Customer Service and Support:

This factor is very important in everything, even in the purchase of a pin. Since you are going to access the software from the service providers servers, customer support is very much necessary to take you through the software access, features, options, etc. One can actually decide on buying something from a company based on its initial customer service offerings. At the same time after sales support is important in order to get the most out of the software you have subscribed for.

2. Server Capabilities:

Most service providers offer you 90+ % server uptime. And one must decide and purchase the subscriptions from the service provider offering the best server uptime, as you must be able to access the software anytime and anywhere. Also, make sure the server is maintained properly and get detailed information such as whether the server is owned or rented by the service provider, so that you can understand the management of server and resources involved in keeping the server active.

3. Functionalities:

Functionalities depend on the software or the tool you subscribe to. In this case, one must check out the features and options provided with the time clock. The kind of tracking options available and whether the software just tracks time or even the projects worked on. Also, one must make sure whether the time clock can track in-depth factors such as time spent on each projects and provides in-depth analysis reports on time spent on each project and time spent on other activities too. Finally it all comes to the value we get for our money, isn't it?

So, this is what Cloud computing is all about, just pay and subscribe for software or tool and start using it. The rest will be taken care by the service provider that includes server maintenance, server uptime, data confidentiality, accessibility, etc.

The cloud based software's for time tracking that I would recommend are employee time clock and project tracking software.