Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/260953
48 maltatoday, SUNDAY, 16 FEBRUARY 2014 MARK BISHOP The shift to Cloud computing is changing the way we use our com- puters for entertainment and pro- ductivity alike. The more things become available on the Cloud, the less dependent we are on the type of computer we use and its power. This is because many computing resources are also shifted from the local computer to the Cloud infrastructure, effectively limit- ing the local computer to a simple gateway that we use to access the services on the Cloud. Of course this is not the case for all Cloud services as it depends on the particular design and to which extent the Cloud is being utilised, but it surely applies to the vast ma- jority. First of all, with the Cloud you can be sure that the most impor- tant data is no longer confined to the local computer but stored somewhere online. This has the obvious benefit that you no longer need to carry your portable stor- age media wherever you roam be- cause as long as you have access to a computer which is connected to the internet, you are good to go. On the Cloud you can have all your files, photos, and music and never worry whether you forgot to copy something important. However, where we keep our pre- cious data is not the only thing the Cloud is changing. Several applica- tions are also moving to the Cloud and leveraging the power and f lexibility it provides. Some excel- lent examples are the various of- fice productivity applications like word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations that have been available on the Cloud for many years. In this case, the change is very clear. Users no longer need to purchase the software, install it on their computer, keep it up to date and troubleshoot it when it starts to malfunction. Instead, the soft- ware application is accessed di- rectly on the Cloud and all the rest is the responsibility of the compa- ny that is providing the software as a service on the Cloud. Usually all the user needs is a computer with a standard web browser and an internet connec- tion, the rest is provided by the Cloud. This is what makes it very f lexible as you rarely need to in- stall anything on the computer and all computers come equipped with a standard web browser, re- gardless of the manufacturer and the type of Operating System it is running. Other software applications har- nessing the power of the Cloud are design and photo manipulation suites, as well as single or mul- tiplayer games. These are either entirely running on the Cloud or a hybrid between cloud and lo- cal computer due to logical con- straints such as limitations in web browser capabilities that would hinder the quality of the applica- tion itself. Other software pack- ages and suites utilise the Cloud solely for authorisation and licens- ing whereby the user still needs to install the software on a computer but is allowed to install it on any number of computers as long as it is not used simultaneously on two or more computers. In this case, the software provider still binds the software license to the individ- ual users however it gives them the f lexibility that the Cloud provides and in many cases, settings, files, and configuration changes will automatically propagate between all computers where the Cloud ap- plications are installed. In many cases however, Cloud services are not free of charge, but while most paid Cloud services are very competitively priced, one needs to keep in mind that it is a subscription and you never actu- ally own the Cloud service per- manently. This is in contrast to traditional software packages you would install on your computer and are allowed to use for as long as you please. Mark Bishop is the head of the Alert eBusiness Data Centre www.alert.com.mt Information Technology How the Cloud affects us as individuals TMF Group is one of SmartCity Malta's newest business partners. With operations around the world providing outsourced compliance services, TMF Group is the global expert that understands local needs and helps companies expand and in- vest seamlessly across international borders. Their expert accountants, legal, financial, corporate secretari- al and HR and payroll professionals enable clients to operate their cor- porate structures, finance vehicles and investment funds in different geographical locations. TMF Group's client base includes private and listed companies, pen- sion funds, real estate, insurance, retail, technology and automotive organisations, both in multina- tional and single-country entities. Thanks to dedicated specialists willing and able to take care of the administrative hassle of moving across borders, companies are left free to focus on their global am- bitions. With operations in more than 75 countries across the Ameri- cas, Asia Pacific, Europe, Africa and the Middle East, TMF Group has the global reach to help businesses grow and the local knowledge to help them navigate the minefields. Speaking about the reasons why TMF decided to relocate to Malta, Alex Hooft van Huysduynen, Man- aging Director of Malta and Cyprus at TMF Group, said: "Malta has a lot to offer to TMF Group in terms of human resources. We employ a lot of young qualified professionals from culturally diverse backgrounds that speak our clients' language. Maybe more importantly, our cli- ents choose Malta as a preferred ju- risdiction to structure their cross- border investments and outsource group functions for multinationals and financial institutions." "We feel that SmartCity Malta will shortly be the number one location on the island for young profession- als and multinational companies that operate in an interconnected world. As a business partner of SmartCity Malta, we will do our part to offer our staff and clients a place to work, stay connected and relax," Mr Hooft van Huysduynen concluded. TMF Group at SmartCity Malta On the Cloud you can have all your files, photos, and music and never worry whether you forgot to copy something important