When it comes to storing and sharing of files, many people think of the Cloud Computing Service, or simply Cloud. Some of the well-known Clouds are Google Drive, Dropbox, and of course, iCloud. There is also another one made by Amazon which is Cloud Drive.
But first, it is time to define what a Cloud really is.
This Cloud relies on shared computing resources, which is a type of computing. It is in contrast to allowing personal devices or local servers to handle applications. The services are then delivered and used over the Internet. It can be a paid service wherein a customer pays for their service of as-needed or pay-per-use business models, or it can also be free.
The Cloud services listed above have their own way of functioning:
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Good Drive
This is a program that Google Inc. owns and it is a free web-based processor. Originally, it was known only as Google Docs. This drive allows for multiple users to collaborate in real-time. It has become a pioneer in the sense that group projects are never the same again. A single document can have as many users possible and they will all be able to see the changes in real-time. Whether it is a document, spreadsheet presentation, or even a drawing, the users involved can work on one text.
The capacity of characters for a document is 1,024,000 while the cells for a spreadsheet are 400,000 with 256 columns per sheet maximum. Meanwhile, presentations can have roughly 200 slides which is equivalent to 10mb. But when it comes to drawings, Google has yet to determine a drawing too large for their system. Out of the 15 file formats the program has, 4 of them are Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Adobe Photoshop. One of the things that make Google Drive unique is that the users need not download their project(s). They are able to make changes and edits and they will be saved online. There is also an offline option that syncs as soon as you are back online.
The office applications available are made for easy-learn and easy-use.
Dropbox
This is operated by Dropbox Inc. It enables the sharing of files and folders online. It also syncs changes that are made which provides an opportunity for group collaboration.
iCloud
This a cloud computing service that was created by Apple Inc. which is also similar to Google Drive and Dropbox. However, iCloud requires Apple products to function. It is possible, however, to use an iCloud with a non-Apple product if one Apple product is present. Music, photos, documents, mail, calendar appointments, and contacts can wirelessly be stored in the could. They are then stored to other devices are system operated by iCloud. This is mostly true for iPhones. Once an application on the phone is downloaded, it will also be installed in the same place the iCloud is installed in (which is most likely the Mac). There is 5GB of storage that is free, Apple users can purchase additional space if they would like. Unlike Google Drive, this Cloud aims for the individual.
Cloud Drive
This is a Cloud that was introduced by Amazon back in 2011. 5GB of storage was given to all Amazon users by the company. This Cloud was used to compete with Google Drive, Dropbox and iCloud. Uploading files and storing them safely online and then accessing it in online accessible locations is the simplicity of Cloud Drive.
But if you are gearing more towards the business side, the iSeries Cloud is the one you are looking for. It is backed up by IBM i experts, secure, easy, flexible, hosts x86, affordable, a seamless go live, and a free 60-day trial.
