What is The Cloud Anyway?5 min read
For many people, “the cloud” sounds abstract – something floating in the digital sky, intangible and mysterious. In reality, the cloud is both very real and very practical. It has transformed the way we live, work, and do business.
So, What is it Exactly?
The cloud has a real, physical form. The cloud is made up of data centres. These data centres run hundreds of thousands of computers that are all connected. All of your applications and data can be stored in the cloud, so instead of relying solely on the limited computing power of your personal device, you can connect to the enormous networks of computers stored in data centres. Connecting to these centres involves a chain. Your device links via Wi-Fi or fibre optics to local exchanges, which in turn connect to wider networks, and ultimately to the heart of the data centre. From there, your request, whether opening a document, streaming a movie, or analysing customer data, is processed almost instantly.
You can imagine the cloud as a massive brain. A brain so vast, so powerful, that none of us could ever hope to replicate it on our own. Yet we can all borrow from it whenever we need.
Your laptop, your phone, your CRM, they’re not doing all the heavy lifting. They’re simply asking this giant brain for help. In milliseconds, the cloud responds.
The data centres act like the brain’s neurons: constantly firing, processing, and storing vast amounts of information.
From Noisy Servers to Possibility
Not so long ago, every business had a server. Usually tucked away in the back of the office, humming and rattling, requiring constant attention. If something broke, if the power went out, if someone forgot the backup tape, then everything stopped.
That server wasn’t just a piece of metal; it was a shackle. It forced companies to think small, to worry about what might break instead of imagining what could be built.
The cloud changed all of that. It took the shackles off. Suddenly, the limits of hardware and geography disappeared. Instead of servers, we gained possibility.
Security and Trust
One of the greatest misconceptions about the cloud is that it’s somehow less secure. In reality, data centres are among the most secure facilities in the world. They use biometrics, surveillance, and restricted access to protect physical hardware. Digitally, providers invest heavily in encryption, compliance, and real-time cybersecurity monitoring.
The cloud can be either private or public. If clients use a private cloud, their data is secured just for themselves. If they use a public cloud, their data is secured on a public server and managed by one of the three major vendors of the cloud: AWS, owned by Amazon, Azure, owned by Microsoft, and Google Cloud Platform, owned by Google.
For individuals, that means storing files in iCloud or Google Drive is typically safer than keeping them on a single laptop. For businesses, it means customer data, financial records, and applications are safeguarded by defences stronger than most companies could achieve in-house.
Data centres are often all linked to one another. This means that there’s a fall over between data centres so that if one goes down, it is backed up by another one.
It’s very important for businesses to be able to trust the data centre they are using, and so these cloud vendors invest a lot in the security of their centres.
The Benefits of The Cloud for CRM
If the cloud is freedom, then CRM in the cloud is empowerment. It’s about giving businesses the power to build stronger, deeper, more human relationships with their customers. The cloud makes it possible to serve those people better.
Accessibility Anywhere - With a cloud CRM, sales, service, and marketing teams can access real-time customer information from anywhere; whether in the office, working from home, or on the road. This flexibility supports remote work and ensures everyone sees the same, up-to-date data.
Lower Costs - Think about how many businesses used to be priced out of advanced technology. Only the biggest players could afford it. The cloud levels the playing field. Pay a subscription, not a fortune. That means more companies can compete, more ideas can thrive, and more customers can benefit.
Automatic Updates & Security - In the old world, upgrades were painful and disruptive. In the cloud, CRMs are constantly updated by the provider. Features, security patches, and compliance measures are delivered seamlessly, without downtime or manual intervention. Automatic backups are standard in cloud systems. Instead of changing tapes or carrying storage off-site, rollbacks can be done quickly - sometimes down to the exact hour. This ensures peace of mind for businesses that can’t afford downtime or data loss.
Integration with Other Tools - CRM doesn’t live in a silo. Cloud CRMs easily integrate with other cloud-based services such as email marketing platforms, accounting software, and AI-powered analytics. When systems talk to each other, people collaborate better, and customers feel it. It creates a connected ecosystem where data flows smoothly across business functions. Integration isn’t about efficiency; it’s about creating harmony.
Scalability on Demand - Growth used to mean risk. What if your system couldn’t keep up? What if demand outpaced your capacity? With the cloud, those fears vanish, because the cloud can automatically access the capacity needed. Growth becomes exciting again. Scale up or down as needed, without hesitation.
In Summary
The cloud is not mystical; it is a global network of data centres designed to store, process, and protect information. It has replaced noisy back-room servers with seamless, scalable access to computing power. When applied to CRM, it empowers businesses to manage customer relationships more effectively, securely, and flexibly.
Yet the cloud isn’t just about servers or software. It’s about possibility. It’s about creating a world where businesses of any size can deliver experiences once reserved for the giants. It’s up to us how we use it.
Want to learn more about the cloud? Listen to Carlene Jackson, Cloud9's CEO, discuss all things cloud with Spencer Kelly, the presenter from Click, on the BBC, as part of a series aimed to demystify tech.