There are many benefits to Cloud Computing! What are they? Our 6-part series of Bytes have covered them all: SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS.  To recap the series, SaaS (Software as a Service) delivers a complete application as a service, PaaS (Platform  as a Service) delivers a platform on which to develop an application, and IaaS (Infrastructure  as a Service) is application independent and delivers a computing infrastructure as a fully-outsourced service. 

DaaS (Desktop as a Service), what is it?  DaaS is a form of computing where your workstation is in the Cloud.  You connect to your virtual desktop, using any internet-connected device (even a thin-client, like a tablet or iPad).  What you see on your monitor is just a virtual image of the processing happening in a data center off-site.

Wondering what is Infrastructure as a Service? IaaS is the delivery of a full-featured, enterprise-grade, IT infrastructure (telephony, email, files and backup, mobile messaging, and remote access) as a fully-outsourced service, that is managed 24 x 365, by a highly-skilled team of professionals.  

A ‘what is’ guide to PaaS:  Platform as a Service is a development platform for application developers.  PaaS providers, like Google Aps Engine, allow the developer to write their own code and the PaaS provider uploads that code and presents it on the web.

What is SaaS?  Software as a Service is a form of computing where you rent software from a service provider, rather than purchasing it yourself.  Google Docs, QuickBooks, Salesforce and other CRM applications are all instances of SaaS.

Wondering how a Virtual Desktop (ie: Desktops in the Cloud) works?  If you want to know how to access one, we have the details in video!

Virtual Desktops (aka cloud desktops) are the way of the future, and I felt that the best way to gain a true sense of appreciation for the “groundbreaking-ness” of a Cloud Desktop as a radical innovation is to see it in action. So Renee and I created a clear and concise video demonstration / tutorial of how to use an iPad and iPhone 4 (as a tether) to carry your desktop with you everywhere you go.

Imagine running Windows 7 on an iPad… sounds cool?  It’s real!  Cloud Desktops make it possible.  A Virtual Cloud Desktop is a personal, centralized computer located in the Cloud. Using any Internet connected device or thin client (i.e. an iPad), you can access your desktop from anywhere in the world.