The Cloud

Question: What is cloud computing and what does it mean for staff and students within HE?

Wikipedia defines cloud computing in terms of the technology it uses an the system methodologies it employs. However there is a simpler way to summarise what cloud computing is about. Whilst reading this blog from your computer think about what applications you have installed and how you use them. I would imagine that in 99.9% of cases this would include an email client, something to type documents, a spreadsheet package, something to draft presentations, and of course an Internet client. Now think about how much these applications cost, the skills and effort it takes to install, administer, and update them, and the inconvenience of having files stored locally so they wouldn't be accessible from other computers.

Cloud computing tries to solve these problem by delivering the applications, communications, and file storage to you via the web. Applications like word processors can be used directly within a web client, files saved for access anywhere there is a internet connection, and communication apps embedded directly within web pages. Google is a major player in cloud computing. If we take some of the most prevalent software from Microsoft we can do a direct comparison with Google's cloud equivalent:

• Word, Excel, and PowerPoint - Google Docs
• Outlook - Google Mail and Google Calendar

there are of course limitations to cloud computing. The applications aren't always as feature rich as their local installed versions and they are only accessible as long as an internet connection is present. However, more and more institutions are embracing cloud computing.

In a recent Education Guardian supplement called 'Cyber Campus' there was an article entitled 'Offsite and off your mind; Google vs Microsoft'. Within this article it was discussed how Google and Microsoft are offering cloud solutions to Universities for nominal costs. Google's Apps bundle has already been taken up by Universities such as Westminster, Leeds, Glamorgan and SOAS. Whilst Microsoft's online education email and collaboration system 'Live@edu' has been adopted by Aberdeen University. This system gives every staff member and student 25GB of online storage, which far, far exceeds what we are currently offering. Aberdeen Uni have stated that since adopting Live@edu they have saved £60,000 and the system has seen a 100% increase in use.