The Future of Cloud Computing

Computer science historians believe the idea of cloud computing originated sometime in the 1950s or 1960s with leaders in the field like John McCarthy and Douglas Parkhill. As years passed, others contributed to the theory, and eventually a technology evolved that became known as the cloud.

In 2002, Amazon introduced Amazon Web Services (AWS), which included infrastructure and platforms that companies and individuals could install and use to develop new software solutions.

Five years later, Google introduced Google Apps, Google Apps Engine and Gmail, which became primary sources for Software as a Service (SaaS) online, without requiring installation. Then, in June of 2011, Microsoft announced Office 365, making cloud computing a reality for many businesses. Companies could now choose to utilize cloud-based solutions, reducing IT staffing and maintenance. A mobile cloud version of Office 365 was recently introduced to offer the same options for small businesses looking to take advantage of tools that help them work on the go.

In 2012, cloud computing stands poised for the next stage of its evolution. Cloud computing offers numerous advantages beyond the reduction of hardware, the preservation of data online and the ability to access the same information from any connected location. Businesses can reduce operating costs, individuals can save money on extra memory and unlikely collaborators can find new ways to work with one another.

The advent and proliferation of 4G LTE offers a new opportunity for mobile-based cloud computing. Faster data transfers, reduced latency and increased speed and bandwidth for data enable more companies to find efficiencies in cloud-based SaaS applications.

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