Cloud Computing
Cloud computing is a term used for applications and other IT services available over the Internet. Google Docs, Salesforce, and Flickr are examples. It's when the Internet is your hard drive or server. It's also how a growing number of nonprofits and libraries aim to save money, reduce their software and hardware needs, and go green. As more applications and services move to the Internet, your organization needs to know the benefits and pitfalls of cloud computing to decide if the cloud may be a good tool for you.
Cloud Computing Worldwide: Changing the Way Nonprofits Work
Join TechSoup and our TechSoup Global Partner Network throughout October 2011 for our worldwide cloud computing campaign. During the month, we'll be posting new reports and information on how nonprofits and libraries around the world are using cloud tools, making tech decisions around cloud services, and taking steps to keep their data secure. Check back throughout the month and learn how cloud computing is changing the nonprofit sector globally.
Featured Cloud Tools
What is Cloud Computing?
Most of us have a Gmail, Yahoo mail, or Hotmail account. And maybe we've dabbled in using shared online documents like Microsoft Office Web Apps or Google Docs. Those online tools are all considered cloud computing. But it goes far beyond these basic tools — nonprofits and libraries can use the cloud for IT tasks ranging from backing up data to donor databases. For a comprehensive overview, check out TechSoup's articles on cloud basics for both nonprofits and libraries and our free webinar Cloud Computing: Why You Should Care.
A defining feature of cloud computing is that the services are provided or hosted by someone else. The service is sometimes free but often on a pay-per-use or subscription basis. And if your organizations is concerned about its carbon footprint, cloud computing is usually the greener option. The cloud moves IT infrastructure away from your local network to large data centers, reducing energy use and the need for power-hungry in-house servers.
Learn more:
Will Cloud Computing Affect My Organization?
Cloud computing is changing how all of us work and how we use technology. It's likely you're already using cloud services or applications like Skype or Microsoft Office Web Apps. As your organization evolves, you'll need to know when to use the cloud and when a desktop application may serve your needs better.
For example, if your office needs a new CRM system, will only one person be entering the data? Will many? If the data will be shared widely, a cloud solution might be a better option. The cloud lets anyone access the information from a browser, without the specific software or internal server access. The same cloud-versus-desktop dilemma is happening with word processing and office productivity applications. Microsoft Office is an excellent desktop tool, but Microsoft Office Web apps and other Office-like software — such as Google Docs — offer similar functionality in online applications. But which one meets your organization's needs?
Learn more:
What You Need to Consider
Cloud computing isn't without drawbacks — data privacy and ownership, integration with your IT system and work habits, and cost are among the most prominent current issues with adopting cloud computing. And, in making your decisions, it's useful to become familiar with the issues and controversies around cloud computing: like how safe it is to keep your mission-critical data (finance records, constituent data) in the cloud, rather than on your own server. Some other issues to consider include: How safe is your organization's data? What can a cloud provider do with your information? What do you do if their service fails? What are some good (and bad) examples of service and privacy agreements?
Because cloud technologies will phase in over time, it's important to know which ones are mature, affordable, and work well for organizations, and which ones are still in their infancy. As with any new technology, it's not perfect. There are several things to keep in mind as you consider transitioning to cloud services:
- You need broadband Internet. Without broadband, cloud services will drain your time and bandwidth, and some may not work at all.
- You're dependent on the companies that host applications to maintain them and to keep user data intact and protected.
- If you don't have access to the Internet (due to travel, computer issues, network outages, and so on) you don't have access to your files, documents, and other important systems.
Perhaps the best way to learn what to expect as your organization adopts more cloud services is to see how other organizations are already adopting cloud technologies, and how much these tools cost. Hear from TechSoup's Ireland partner ENCLUDE on how to develop a cloud-based integrated IT system. Plus, read up on costs in the cloud — renting software vs. buying .