Cloud computing is now definitely mainstream. Everywhere you go online you see people talking about it. Even government agencies are moving towards cloud based applications. But the main reason commonly given for using the cloud: that it provides universal access to data and applications through the internet, is just what web-based applications have been doing since the 1990's. True cloud computing is something more.

The reasons people usually give for making the switch from traditional desktop based apps to cloud based ones are on demand self-service and broad network access. While that may just sound like a load of buzzwords cobbled together, allow me to explain.

On demand self-service simply means you are in control. You can do what you need to, when you need to, without the cost and delay usually involved in contacting and managing your IT provider.

Broad network access is equally simple. it just means you can work from whatever platform is most convenient, whether that is a workstation, laptop, smartphone etc. Everything you need is provided through a browser.

These two characteristics are what most people think of when they talk about cloud computing. However the characteristics that make true clouds stand out are: Resource pooling, rapid elasticity and measured service.

Resource pooling means that all the maintainence, firmware upgrades, elimination of botlenecks etc happens far away from you and you have no involvement whatsoever. You still get the benefit of these large investments of time and energy, but you have no personal investment.

Rapid elasticity means that you no longer have to plan for surges in traffic or sudden popularity, all the computing resources you need are instantly available. With cloud computing you no longer experience slow-downs and time-outs that cause frustration and lose you business.

And finally, measured service means you only pay for what you use, Rather that paying for a set amount of server capacity that you may only utilise 30% of, you pay for the exact amount of resources you use, when you use them.

A useful analogy for those who find it difficult to understand these concepts is the electricity analogy. Think about it. If you buy a new TV, you don't have to call the power company and ask them for permission to set up your TV or initiate a TV change program, you simply plug it in and switch it on. If you don't enjoy where it is in your house, you unplug it and move it somewhere else. When your electricity bill arrives, you don't pay for the power companies' labour costs, you just pay for the extra kilowatt hours your TV uses.    

Services (such as Tree.io [http://tree.io]) that provide all five of these characteristics are vastly more useful to businesses than services that merely allow access from anywhere with an internet connection. This type of cloud service is the reason the future of information technology is not bright, it's cloudy.