what are cloud-based databases?
‘Cloud computing’ is the latest IT buzzword. Just like ‘information super-highway’ and ‘multi-media’ before it, everyone seems to be talking about it and no-one seems to know what it is!
So what is it? Well, cloud computing means getting services such as data or software via the internet without having them installed on your PC. It’s called the ‘cloud’ because every diagram of a computer network always seems to put any internet items into a cloud shaped box.
Is that it? Well, yes. It doesn’t sound very exciting but it can be very useful.
With a regular Access database everyone shares the data using the office network. With a cloud-based database, everyone shares the data using the internet. This means that you don’t need to be in the office in order to use the database – very handy if you have more than one office or you need to work remotely.
To get your database into the cloud you upload your data on to a service like Microsoft’s SQL Azure. This is essentially a server database made available via the internet. You pay a monthly fee and connect to the data as required. You don’t need to worry about maintenance or back-ups – this is all handled for you. The other good news is that this service is relatively inexpensive.
But why not just develop a web database like we’re all familiar with?
Web-based databases are fine if you just want to post a comment about your friend’s new haircut, but if you need an application that has more in-depth functionality then a page based format can be very limiting. There is also the significant cost and complexity of developing and hosting a web-based database application.
With an Access/SQL Azure database, the front-end user interface and all the functionality is on your PC. Only the back-end data is stored ‘in the cloud’ so your application is not limited to a web-page format. Also your database application can be integrated with Excel or any other local software tools that you want to use.
You can now have a fully featured database and connect to it from anywhere without it costing you a fortune.
If you have a project in mind, or if you’d just like to discuss your requirements, please get in touch. Email: enquiries@jht.co.uk or call 0800 458 0439
For some good reasons to choose jhT for your project, click here…