Cloud Computing and Document Collaboration

Cloud computing is the ability to deliver computing resources as a service and these resources are made available over the Internet. A basic and well known example is Google's Gmail (email program), in which Google owns all of the resources needed to deliver email to a user and the user does not own any software or hardware and either pays a fee or receives the service for free. Cloud computing encompasses all types of applications from simple online data storage to running highly specialized data processing applications.

During the next few months, we will be exploring a more narrow view of cloud computing and focus on those systems, technologies, and vendors that provide document management applications and services for public agencies, private companies, and individual users - this may be called Cloud Information Management (CIM). In addition, we will explain the different technologies and whether you should consider moving to the cloud or not. Technologies include everything from simple document storage in the cloud (Amazon.com offers 5 gigabytes of free storage) to complex cloud document management and collaboration applications like Microsoft Office365 (Office 365 provides Office 2010 products, document storage, SharePoint 2010, and a website for $10 per month per user)

Stay tuned and check back often. If you have questions about cloud collaboration technologies or would like to contribute information, please call or email us. I am also available to do a CIM strategy session at your company.

Check our Consulting Services section for how we can help you with a strategy for cloud computing.

A good starting point for your research is the NIST publication on cloud computing:

http://www.nist.gov/customcf/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=909494

See our Blogs on this site and at AIIM - http://bit.ly/f4zySc

The Future Company - Today's Company

Below is a diagram of what is already happening - companies are going with all cloud applications and have little or no IT presence on-site and no server room except for the Internet cable and the WiFi router. Workers in this company can log in from any device that is Internet capable and be able to remotely work from anywhere.

See a place for your company? Let me know.

Independent | Unbiased | Objective

Document Imaging | Electronic Document Management | Records Management | SharePoint

Consulting in Electronic Document & Records Management Technologies

PRA is not affiliated with any vendors, is not a reseller of any products, and provides objective document management consulting services.