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How cloud computing works

Susan GxuiNovember 1, 2019

In a Cloud computing system you can find two clearly differentiated parts of the system. The first is the frontend or user interface and the second is the backend, which is the cloud service itself.

The user interface includes the computer network you use and the application necessary to access the service in the cloud. A simple user interface that is connected to the backend through the internet. In the part of the backend you can find all the systems that the cloud uses to store the information, the servers it uses and the computers of the system.

All this gear connects to a central server that manages the operation of the entire system, monitors its traffic and ensures that customer demands are made without any inconvenience. The system rules follow some protocols and use middleware software that facilitates the connection between networked computers to communicate with each other. A very complex system with the naked eye but that has great benefits for users and companies such as unified communications.

Cloud computing technology is revolutionizing the way in which companies and individuals perform a multitude of different tasks and services. Finding all the information safely and quickly through an internet connection without having to download any additional program or pay different licenses for each computer is a revolution that companies around the world are taking advantage of.

The new technologies have entered with great force within the society, due to the numerous possibilities that its use offers. According to the latest studies, in most Spanish homes there is a technological support such as a computer or a mobile phone, which are constantly used by family members. It should be taken into account that these devices allow data to be stored in a secure and stable manner, establishing copies of certain contents. Therefore, the types of servers must be taken into account, which are elements of high relevance in the world of telecommunications.

A server is a computer equipment and software responsible for maintaining proper operation in the processing of different information. These elements allow the connection of different devices, effectively and efficiently managing files, videos and other digital media, which are essential for many companies.

As main structure the servers must consist of; A software that allows to carry out the different operations and a Hardware that is not more than the physical support that contains the different internal elements.

The servers are installed by companies inside their branches, thereby achieving a higher level of security in their operations and data management, both external and internal. It could be said that this element acts as the head of the company, allowing interaction between the different departments that make up the business. The servers can also be used in a general way, through online platforms for viewing videos or images, which keep inside all the necessary content for users.

The vast majority of online content viewing platforms have this technology, since it allows secure storage of all information. These online pages allow the client to establish a connection with the server, thus enabling access to the desired content in an easy and simple way.

cloud computing

Cloud Computing

Susan GxuiNovember 1, 2019

In recent years and with the emergence of new technologies related to the digital world, a number of concepts have emerged, usually in English, to define the new services offered by the digital world for both users and companies. Concepts such as Big Data or Cloud computing are increasingly widespread in any field, whether domestic or business and many still do not know what is Cloud or what is Big Data

And although sometimes we think that we are not users of services with these strange words, the truth is that we use them much more frequently than we think and also on a daily basis. If someone asks what is cloud computing, the most frequent thing is that they do not know what to answer but it is vitally important to assimilate and understand these concepts so as not to be left behind in this new digital revolution.

Specifically, cloud computing consists of offering computing services through the network through cloud storage. The user of this type of services does not have to install anything on his computer and yet he can have access to multiple services with utilities that range from the most everyday to the most technical.

To understand this concept in a simpler way, the best is through an example that is easily understood: email. Everyone uses email to a greater or lesser extent and without knowing it a service called cloud computing is being used. We use email without having to install anything on your computer thanks to the cloud storage service.

In the same way it happens with applications that do not need to be downloaded because they have their storage in the cloud or many business management systems. The truth is that this technology is increasingly taking a leading role in our lives and has come to stay among us.

The main utility of this type of technology is to prevent the user’s computer from taking a heavy workload when running applications that the user needs to use. Thanks to cloud storage this work is done by the large network of computers that make up this system, speeding up the work and making it easily accessible and without affecting the user’s computer of the service in question.

The only thing that the user would need instead of an application installed and running on the computer is to use the internet browser as if it were any web. The cloud takes care of the rest of the work, simplifying the tasks that the user has to carry out.

The advantages of cloud storage are beyond doubt. To the advantage of multiplying the resources to which the user can access quickly and easily joins the advantage of avoiding the cost of the licenses of the programs and software for each computer that needs to use the program in question, something that cost large sums of money to companies before this technology appears.

Kimball method

The Kimball method

Susan GxuiNovember 1, 2019

Kimball offered the first alternative to the traditional Inmon method: a bottom-up approach. This does not initially involve a standardized data store. Instead, it first focuses on the collection of real data. Then, the data is divided into data marts. The structure of both data marts and larger data models depends, therefore, on the type of data that a company wants to gather. The Kimball method is especially chosen by companies that want to be fast at the operational level and who do not want or can face a large investment. In addition, it is a more flexible working method, since the superior model is influenced by data marts. The biggest drawback that companies find with this method is that a general structure is missing.

Data vault
Data vault, developed by Dan Linstedt, is the newest and perhaps the most complicated way to carry out a data warehouse. This model combines all forms of data collection and also connects them in various ways between them. The data vault model consists of three components…

The hubs found within the data vault are tables that represent the business entity. For example, the commercial entity may be a “customer”, “product” or “warehouse”. The entity can be identified through a unique code number and with its different names.

The links represent relationships or transactions between the hubs. In this way, the relationship between a product and the warehouse can indicate the level of inventory. The transaction that occurs between a product and the customer is a buying action.

Satellites complete the data model. They add very relevant information about the hub or link. For example, this may refer to customer location data, special discounts, etc.

What makes the data vault even more complicated is that the data comes from different sources and comes in different versions. All data is saved as recorded. Therefore, the responsibility for the reliability of the data rests with the source. Historical data is also saved. Therefore, an update of some data does not eliminate its previous versions.

Often, the data vault method is implemented by companies that want to offer their data in a very dynamic way and that attach great importance to the underlying relationships. Actually, Data Vault goes far beyond the data warehouse. The information design is responsible for directly providing interpretations that are usually more technically covered by business intelligence (BI).

Inmon method

The data store is defined in different ways

Susan GxuiNovember 1, 2019

It is not easy to give a clear definition of data warehouse (known in English with the term Data Warehousing, DWH). The original description of Bill Inmon, the father of the data warehouse, reads as follows: “The data warehouse consists of the collection of time-oriented, integrated, time-oriented data that are the basis of management decisions” (Inmon, 1992 – own translation). Today it is still the most used description for this concept.

In its original meaning, the data warehouse purely means the storage of information. However, Inmon immediately gives a goal to data collection: making business decisions. This means that data storage is the basis of business intelligence (BI). The close relationship between the two concepts has made the terms data warehouse and business intelligence coexist, but in practice they are often used as synonyms.

In a data warehouse, information is stored from all types of business applications: from document management to human resources and ERP. In principle, a data warehouse does not gather this information by itself. The data cannot be checked in the data warehouse either. However, by making relevant information readily available, it makes all types of reports efficient.

Of course, reports can also be made directly through the ERP. The (limited) reporting modules that many ERP systems offer are also satisfactory for some companies. However, a data store can save a lot of time for those companies that want to gather large-scale data and want to get an overview of their business operations. The central data collection ensures that more holistic analysis can be created. This allows real decisions to be made at the level of business policy and optimize strategies. This general approach is also useful for providing general reports to shareholders.

Finally, the combination of a general image and the detailed information in the data warehouse also helps companies by showing them if they comply with a certain law. For example, when a legislator receives a complaint of poor business management or privacy, he may request certain information. A company that has its data and activities in the data warehouse useful in advance can be better justified and therefore less likely to be wrong.

A data store can be configured in many different ways. The best known models are those of the original Inmon method and the Kimball method. In addition, there is also a newer method called Data Vault. The most suitable method will differ depending on the company.

The Inmon method
The data warehouse’s parent, Inmon, uses a top-down approach. Depending on your model, the design of a data warehouse begins with the overall structure. First, the entire standardized data model is configured, and then the data marts.

Data marts contain specific information for a specific department or for a specific application. Like the data model, these data marts have been standardized. The Inmon method is especially suitable for companies that work following really strict and standardized business processes. In addition, it is a very holistic and structured model. Smaller data marts merge seamlessly into a larger data model. The design and commissioning of the entire model requires more time and investment than the Kimball method, but with this clear classification, the system has relatively little maintenance.