The cloud has become one of the most widely talked about computer network solutions. Cloud computing is shifting how everyone is using their computers as it allows users greater flexibility by allowing users to access an array of tools from nearly any location.

The cloud concept originally developed from a desire to allow users the ability to access data from remote locations. Cloud capabilities over the past couple years have bloomed as cloud platforms are not only used as remotely accessible storage locations but are now used to virtualize applications for use on a variety of devices from nearly anywhere.

Cloud computing services come in a variety of models. Your business model and resources available should play into how you implement a cloud solution. If you have a small IT staff and not enough resources available to properly fund the expenditure for all the elements required pertaining to an in-house server then it would be wise to consider a cloud solution in an Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) model. Companies like Amazon have solutions where they host the hardware and do the dirty work of network administration while you pay a monthly fee. Amazon’s Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) is a complete IaaS service where you may either select from preloaded templates relative to your needs or you may build your own where you define your own applications, data storage requirements, configuration settings and more. Such solutions at least eliminate the overhead required for staff to ‘babysit’ the system on a 24/7 basis so they can take of important things like resetting passwords and replacing the occasional workstation hard drive.

Though IaaS service providers are starting to gain momentum in the IT market, some services are best met by an in-house team. You may realize that your all-star IT team shouldn’t be disbanded so giving them proper tools will help them continue to shine. Depending on the nature of the business you conduct, you should have a server that reflects your needs. Just because you have the overhead to have ‘fastest possible’ does not mean it’s the best idea.

Servers come in a variety of shapes, sizes and performance capabilities. If your network is comprised of workstations on the lower end of the performance scale, the ability to virtually host applications may be a key component to your cloud solution. From a raw processing power standpoint, blade servers like the IBM BladeCenter family, offer the most in terms of raw computing power. The IBM BladeCenter HX5, for example, can hold up to 4 Intel Xeon Processors and up to 640 GB of RAM and are scalable so that more may be added should the need for additional processing power arise. IBM manufactures other solutions to meet other needs as well like storage and security. IBM’s Scale Out Network Attach Storage (SONAS) server boasts over 21 PB of storage space. This system functions as a data center but can also host applications, just not the same degree as a blade server. A blade server also differs in size as it is roughly the size of a home theater amplifier; the SONAS is the size of person and weighs as much as a small vehicle.

Nordisk systems is an IBM Business Partner based in Portland, Oregon. It specializes in managing products like Tivoli storage manager for all your data center needs. IBM Cloud computing services provider supplies the data center, computing infrastructure, and management of these assets. Organize your Cloud computing services with SaaS, IaaS and PaaS.