1. What exactly is cloud computing?

Cloud computing is a hot buzz word in the information technology field, yet many people are still confused as to what “cloud computing” actually entails.

Cloud computing is basically the concept of allowing applications, programs and data to reside at a central location while having the ability to access it through an Internet connection. With cloud computing, the “cloud” refers to an offsite data center that hosts servers that are accessible through the Internet. While this concept is often billed as an exciting new technology, many businesses and individuals have already been using cloud computing for years.

Businesses that have remote users connecting through VPN tunnels to access data located onsite are actually using a form of cloud computing. When using a VPN, the remote user is accessing the data located at another site through the Internet, or cloud, instead of having to be at the same physical location as the data. Additionally, if you have ever uploaded a picture to a photo sharing or social network, you have used cloud computing as well. Once your photo is uploaded to the sharing site, you can then access it from any Internet connection, and you do not need to be using the PC where the photo was originally stored in order to view it. Instead of the photo only being stored locally, it is stored in the “cloud.”

However, cloud computing goes one step further than a traditional VPN or photo hosting solution. With the exciting new cloud-computing solutions available today, it is possible for a business to host applications, programs and data vital to their business on computers that reside in state-of-the-art data centers without having to purchase the server hardware.

Instead of purchasing an expensive hardware server, hosted cloud-computing solutions allow businesses to rent servers from professional hosting companies for low monthly fees. As a result, more businesses can utilize high-performance servers without worrying about cost constraints.

2. Why is cloud computing beneficial?

There are many reasons why cloud computing is beneficial for businesses, but the two biggest benefits are cost and availability.

With a cloud-computing solution, there is no need to buy expensive servers and hardware that quickly loses its value and becomes obsolete. There is no large upfront cost when deploying a new application or database. Instead, cloud-computing solutions allow businesses to pay a small monthly fee for the hardware they utilize. If the business sees a dramatic increase in the server space they need, it is easy to upgrade without having to pay for new physical server hardware or drives. Instead of buying physical hardware, the business is able to easily upgrade their plan, and the hosting company performs all the legwork involved. Additionally, the company that hosts the server is responsible for the security, patching, maintenance and general upkeep done on the server. The business paying for the cloud-computing solution does not have to employ costly server administrators to do these tasks for them.

The other key benefit of cloud computing is availability. With a cloud-based solution, your data is backed up and redundantly available from any Internet connection. If your office experiences a local Internet outage, your applications and data are still available to remote workers. If the Internet connection for your office goes down, your employees can still access vital data from home or other locations. With this availability it is possible to truly employ a mobile workforce. Employees can access the data they need from the field or remote locations without VPNs and other issues slowing them down.

3. What is Software as a Service (SaaS)?

Software as a Service is a relatively new concept for IT. With software as a service, or SaaS, you are no longer purchasing a software CD and installation that you maintain yourself. Instead, software is sold as a service that you access on demand. With a SaaS solution, you are able to access vital applications and data through the Internet, eliminating the need to purchase and maintain costly server hardware.

With SaaS, the software you use is automatically patched, updated and maintained by the software company. Additionally, with a SaaS solution, there is no hefty upfront cost for the software you wish to use. Instead, you can pay smaller monthly payments for the software that you need.

4. What is Platform as a Service (PaaS)?

Platform as a Service, or PaaS, takes the SaaS concept one step further. Instead of only offering software as a service, it is now possible to use entire development platforms as a service as well. With PaaS, it is possible to build, develop and maintain new web applications entirely through the Internet. Using a PaaS solution, there is never any need to download or install software. Instead, the entire development process is completely web based.

5. Who is using cloud computing?

Since cloud computing is extremely cost effective and easy to use, the number of major companies using this technology grows daily. Many companies have successfully migrated to completely cloud-based infrastructures.

Mainstream examples of cloud computing:

• Google Apps and Gmail.
• Yahoo! Mail.
• Amazon.com.
• Workday.
• Microsoft Live.

6. What is Apex Code?

Apex Code is the world’s first on demand programming language to gain widespread acceptance. Used by Force.com, Apex Code allows developers to write code that runs on Salesforce.com servers. This has allowed developers to truly revolutionize and customize Salesforce.com solutions to precisely meet the needs of the businesses that utilize it. Apex Code has created an entirely new class of applications that feature fully customizable CRM solutions.

7. What can Apex Code do for your business?

If you use a Salesforce.com solution, Apex Code can drastically change the way you do business. Due to the highly flexible nature of this technology, Apex Code makes it possible to completely customize your Salesforce.com experience and make your data accessible in ways that positively impact your business.

Salesforce.com CRMs contain vital data about the way you do business. However, this data does not reach its full potential by merely residing in a database. With Apex Code, it is possible to truly visualize this data and put it to work. By customizing everything from data entry forms to reports, Apex Code makes it possible to control and utilize your valuable data.

8. What are the benefits of customizing a Salesforce.com Solution?

The benefits of customizing a Salesforce.com solution are numerous. One of the biggest benefits is the ability to tailor the user experience when utilizing Salesforce.

By tailoring the user experience, you can ensure the correct data is being collected and acted upon by your employees. For example, a doctor’s office will need to collect patient data that a manufacturing company does not. With a customized solution, the doctor’s office can collect and organize the precise information they need, while the manufacturing company can deploy a bar code system for inventory control instead. Customized solutions allow your business to collect the specialized data that it needs to succeed.

9. How does Aqxolt fit into this picture?

At Aqxolt, we craft customizable and scalable applications and solutions for our clients. We use Apex Code to tailor Salesforce.com solutions to precisely meet the needs of your business. We have been at the forefront of cloud-computing development and have the expertise and experience necessary to produce high-quality applications that meet your exact business needs. By customizing your Salesforce.com CRM, you will see an increase in productivity, profitability and efficiency.

At Aqxolt, we truly understand that no two businesses are identical, and that each business has unique needs and requirements. Our skilled developers work closely with your business to ensure a fully customized solution is crafted to meet all of your needs. We guarantee that our customers receive reliable and intuitive applications that precisely meet their business needs.