Author: Ian Betteridge
Date: 08/04/2009
Learn more about cloud computing and how it could affect your business.
Tuesday's Cloudforce event at London's ExCel Centre saw Salesforce.com CEO Marc Benioff and special guests including BT's Bill Murphy talk about cloud computing and its impact on the future of business.
If you're not familiar with cloud computing yet, it's something that is worth getting to grips with. Essentially, it is the use of applications and data through a web browser, rather than something running locally on your PC. On a very simple level, these applications could be something like email or calendaring accessed through a web browser.
But when people talk about cloud computing applications, they are usually referring to more complex services such as customer relationship management software like Salesforce.com, or office applications like Google Apps.
For companies, there are lots of potential benefits to moving your business into the cloud. Cloud services usually require a low-level of initial investment, reduce support costs, and increase flexibility. Because they can be accessed through a web browser from anywhere, they can form a core part of a flexible working strategy - something that could really help your business.
If you'd like to find out more about cloud computing, Mark Benioff's keynote speech at Cloudforce is now available online, and it's well-worth a look. Pictures from the event are also available on Flickr.