Cloud computing is changing the way businesses and users interact with computers and mobile devices. Gone are the days of expensive data centers, racks of disk drives, and large IT support teams. Today they are replaced with software applications delivered to users on demand from the cloud; with high-capacity, auto-replicated, secure, cloud-based disk storage and databases; with virtualized server and desktop environments; and with cloud- based collaboration tools that support the success of onsite. remote, and hybrid teams. Cloud Computing presents a hands-on introduction to cloud technologies. By the end of Chapter 1 you will learn to use cloud-based data storage for storing personal documents, share photos and other digital media with other users and devices, perform cloud-based automated backups, and apply various cloud-based applications! You will learn specifics about software as a service (SaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), infrastructure as a service (IaaS), server and desktop virtualization, and much more. Each chapter presents a cloud topic, examines the underlying business case, and then takes you on a test drive. The chapters include real-world case studies with content that is ideal for users interested in migrating to the cloud, IT professionals seeking knowledge about cloud fundamentals, developers building cloud solutions of the future, and CIOs wanting insights on current cloud solutions.

Business