Cloud terminology
One of the most daunting aspects of any computer innovation, like cloud computing, is the new terminology it comes with. Before going into further detail it is worth familiarising yourself with the following terms and phrases:
Cloud consumer: any person or organisation that arranges for the delivery of a cloud service, either for themselves or for their individual users. If you were to subscribe to one of Maximizer’s cloud based CRM solutions, you would be a cloud consumer
Cloud provider: a cloud provider delivers cloud services to cloud consumers. Maximizer Software, together with it’s business partners form a global network of cloud providers
Hosted or located in the cloud: a way of describing a cloud system. Maximizer cloud based CRM is hosted by one of Maximizer Software’s trusted partners who hold the consumer’s data on a secure server, allowing them to access their data in the cloud, via the internet
On-premise: the main alternative to cloud computing, in terms of software deployment. Having software on-premise means it’s installed and run by your company, on your own server. Therefore you require the hardware and IT infrastructure to maintain the software
Operating in the cloud: when a cloud consumer uses the cloud to access their data via the internet
Moving into the cloud: the activity of converting on-premise IT resources into cloud computing is known as moving into the cloud. CRM software can often utilise a large amount of your available IT resources, so if your were to move your solution into the cloud with Maximizer CRM you will free up a surprising amount of time and money
Client: the point by which a user accesses a computer system. When the cloud is involved the client is known as a cloud client and would be your PC, laptop or mobile device by which you access your hosted system
Datacentre: the facility that houses server computers for an organisation. Similarly, datacentres which host cloud systems are known as cloud datacentres
Cloudware: software which operates in the cloud.
