Cloud computing is significantly more energy efficient than using in-house data centers. Cloud computing is when remote machines owned by companies run everything from word processing, data analysis programs, and even email programs for other companies. They are web-based services that hosts all the programs users need to do his or her job.
With a system like this, instead of installing suites of software to each computer or buying applications for every employee in a company, the company only has to deal with one shared interface – it’s as easy as flipping on a switch and turning on Thomas Edison’s lightbulb. This makes adding new employees to your system as easy as opening a door, it only takes one task to add an employee to the system and give them access to any software and applications they will need available to them. Most people are already familiar with some forms of cloud computing; anyone who uses a web-based email such as Gmail has been able to remotely login to their email without having any form of downloaded software. There is a significant workload shift, as local computers no longer have to do all of the work for running application.
It is easier for companies to focus on efficiency improvements when they implement cloud computing. There is an advantage to having “in house” experts devoted to efficiency instead of one technology department split between different technical jobs.
With technology changing so often, it’s hard for people not devoted to efficiency to keep up while also completing their other jobs. Bigger operations have an advantage because they can spread costs over more transactions and equipment.
Cloud computing also means computing loads are spread over the day, allowing for increased equipment utilization. More users in different places and more diverse users means cloud computing vendors have close to 30-40 percent server utilization, whereas in house data centers have server utilizations of 5-15 percent. The cost of average data centers threaten to take up budget space devoted to technology investments. Data centers are driving rapid expense growth yet significant inefficiencies exist. Despite the increased demand for computing resources, data center facilities and electricity cost are growing at 10-15% per year.
The system of cloud computing isn’t completely without fault. Companies worry about liability of cloud systems. They also worry about who to turn to when they need help regarding security issues. Many companies are willing to try computer clouding, though only through the use of “private clouds,” clouds that are created on a members only basis and companies must pay in to use them. This makes bigger companies like financial institutions feel more secure. Other companies decide to keep a small technology staff in house in order to work with the cloud computing system and maintain the system from their side of the company.
These energy and cost advantages will over time translate into more and more companies switching to cloud services, the economic and energy advantages are too high to not take advantage of. The amount of capital lost while supporting in house teams, and in house equipment will no longer be sustainable, and companies will have to look for another system.
To quote Thomas Edison, “If we all did the things we are really capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves….”
Post provided in part by Bergen County Bed Bugs