Already many businesses and government organizations are starting to move away from dedicated servers towards cloud computing software and cloud hosting many businesses at this point are opting for an integrated approach involving both a dedicated server and cloud software as they await further developments in the cloud. Microsoft’s new Office 365 is helping to bridge the gap between cloud and local and offer a viable, completely cloud-based alternative to traditional Office suites. Office 365 exemplifies the benefits that businesses can gain from cloud computing and will undoubtedly be the champion for a cloud model for software in general and productivity software specifically.
Data Storage
With cloud computing, data storage and processing is done on the server, reducing the need for expensive hardware in the office. Eventually, a workstation in the office will consist of a monitor, input device (keyboard, mouse, drawing pad, etc.) and a computer just powerful enough to connect to the Internet. Performing processing server-side allows for increased computing power on demand, eliminating the need for expensive upgrades and improving reliability by leaving the care and maintenance of the system up to a reliable, professional company. Further, cloud data storage allows a business to be secure in the knowledge that their information is backed up off site and is in the hands of data professionals who perform regular backups and offer redundancy and fail-safes.
Accessibility
Cloud computing provides nearly universal accessibility to all stored files, whether the user has a Mac, PC, tablet or smartphone. Office 365 is a great example of this, allowing smartphone users to access and edit all of their documents, regardless of their phone’s platform. Travelling business users no longer have to worry about leaving behind an important file or dealing with unwieldy web interfaces for their email programs, because they have access to a unified interface across all platforms.
Collaboration
Storing data in the cloud allows for real-time file collaboration that was previously difficult to implement. Office 365 leads the way in this field again, allowing multiple users to work on the same file in real time, without worrying about mystifying permissions or file conflicts. Further, Microsoft’s Lync service, a part of Office 365, allows for real-time video, voice and text communication with the option of desktop sharing or the use of a digital whiteboard with which users can share ideas as though they were physically present. Microsoft Office 365 is ready and able to prove that the future of computing is in the cloud, particularly for office productivity software. The fact that a dedicated, professional team is in charge of the data storage facilities will surely put many worried minds to rest. Having one’s data hosted by a professional service that handles data backup and restoration as well as ensuring security will reduce the costs incurred by businesses through eliminating the need for costly in-house services. Cloud computing allows users to access their information from anywhere with an Internet connection and can provide advanced services on even the most paltry of hardware, since the heavy lifting is done in the cloud. This will give business professionals more power and freedom while eliminating the terror associated with forgetting an important document. Hosting files in the cloud allows for greater collaboration, particularly in Office 365, where users can both access and edit the same document at the same time without fear of their work being corrupted. The future is in the cloud and Microsoft is leading the way with Office 365.
