Tech & Services

Computing on a cloud; it’s about time

With Google’s recent announcement of their upcoming Chrome operating system, the idea of cloud computing has taken center-stage within the technology industry in general and the hosting industry in particular. Don’t be fooled; cloud computing is not a new idea and many companies, including Google, have long been encouraging users to work remotely via applications like Google Docs, Gmail and many others. The hype surrounding Chrome OS has, however, made web hosting firms rethink both the definition of a web site and, by extension, the way web sites need to be hosted in order to offer the best in usability.

For those not in the know, cloud computing refers to the offering of platforms, infrastructure and software as a remote service, following the trend of more and more web users performing tasks online as opposed to using local software. The cloud (the network) supports the needed software, allowing for a highly scalable environment; the concept has allowed even notoriously bulky software packages like Photoshop to have an online option for its users.

Hosting providers have long known that cloud computing would play a vital role in their future and some forward-thinking firms have gotten a head start. SoftLayer has been offering cloud computing possibilities to its clientele via its CloudLayer Computing Instances service since this past May and have now announced the launch of Parallels Plesk Panel with that service to allow for advanced control over the exceptionally dynamic structure that CloudLayer offers.

As a service, CloudLayer has been touted by SoftLayer as a cloud computing solution that integrates fully with their existing hosting plans, including dedicated servers, with the click of a button. This is allowing enterprises and small businesses alike to tap into services that enable them to create one fluid computing solution and the addition of the popular Plesk control panel is sure to draw many smaller-scale users as the prospect of working within a cloud environment with the same easy options they’re used to presents itself. Added value services like CloudLayer Storage and CloudLayer CDN have put SoftLayer leaps and bounds ahead of the competition as many hosts continue to drag their feet where the needed changes are concerned.

Considering the trend over the past few years towards remote services, the fact that many high-profile firms are jumping on-board and the top-heavy influence of Google over the web in general, there is no doubt that cloud computing is the immediate and likely long-term solution to web hosting and site and service deployment. The only real question that remains is whether your firm is ready to embrace the technology and meet the ever-changing demands of your customers.

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Tags: Chrome OS, cloud computing, cloud hosting, cloud infrastructure, CloudLayer, Google, Photoshop, SoftLayer