Cloud Computing... A Load Of Old Gas?

Put simply, cloud computing is just the internet growing up. Think goodbye CD-ROMs and expensive machines, and hello World Wide Web.

It was back in 1961 that John McCarthy first suggested that computing power and applications could be sold and consumed on a utility business model – just like gas and electricity. The idea faded however as it became clear that we did not have the technology to support such a dream. Fast forward 50 years and the internet is hitting the news daily.

Firstly, Gordon Brown declares that internet access is as vital today as gas and water. Then with the coming election, both parties have been keen to turn the internet into an election issue. This gives me great hope that we may one day soon enjoy ‘super-fast’ broadband and with it the removal of the final barrier to ‘utility computing’.

Delivering the software that we all use and need in business over the internet rather than on CDs will have massive benefits to business. For a start, the constant cycle of upgrades will be a thing of the past (how much have you spent on upgrading your Microsoft Office or Windows?!) as you will always be accessing the most up to date version over the internet.

Even the smallest business can have access to the latest and greatest technology and won’t need super-duper computer to run it, just an internet connected device. This month Google launched its marketplace offering web based applications that fit seamlessly with their Google Apps service. This now means that any business can benefit from both Google’s and other Apps users constant innovation.

Location, Location, Location

So the world wide web is turning twenty years old.

It is amazing to think how the internet has grown up in such a relatively short period of time. It is even more amazing to think about just how much time we all spend online. I spend most of my time connected to the internet - whether it is sitting in front of a laptop or on my iphone.

I am constantly devouring information; tweets, emails, facebook, blogs, applications - the list goes on and on. We now live in the era of real time information. Take the terrible disaster in Haiti earlier this year - chances are that all the Google searches done for 'Haiti' were not interested in their political history or last years GDP. Rather, people were looking for relevant, up to the second information.

The same can be said about when your customers are looking for information about your business. They do not go to the Yellow Pages anymore. They go to Google.

If we are in the era of real time - then this must be the year of location based information. Take Google's 'Near Me' search option on mobile phones which makes it easy to find information about the local vicinity.

And then to no real fanfare Google launched Buzz. Buzz is Google's newest push into the social foray and allows users to share updates and start conversations "about interesting things". But is that not what Twitter is all about? Yes! But location plays a massive part in Google Buzz. It uses Google maps to determine your location, and then maps this to real world places. Instead of locating you at 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, it would know that you are at the Googleplex.

But what does this mean for business?

It is changing the way in which we interact with our customers - making the relationship a two way affair. This will undoubtedly affect how and what money they spend with you.

It means that we must engage with our customers. Could people 'check in at your business?' or leave feedback for your services online for others in the area to read and discuss? How many of us have decided on where to eat based on customer feedback?

One thing is clear however, and that is that we must respond to our customers. Real time search gives you powerful new ways to market your business. Why not check out Google Local Business Center and make sure your business details are all up to date.