About three years ago, a very ambitious and innovative software platform was introduced: OpenStack. It gave individual companies an easier way to develop and implement applications and services based in the cloud, a virtual location that offers a seemingly unlimited amount of storage space and processing power.
OpenStack was also welcomed by many in the development community as an opportunity to let them focus on creating useful products and programs, rather than spending time focusing on troubleshooting those tricky wires, plugs, and other hardware.
A key component of OpenStack is its open-source philosophy. Rather than charging vendor fees, everyone who wants to take part in the OpenStack community is welcome to join, try existing tools or add their own insights and code. OpenStack code even comes free with an Apache 2.0 license.
The cloud removes the limits on companies traditionally set by finite space and the processing power of in-house servers and internal networks. Now some of the world’s top technology companies, and even government agencies, are offering OpenStack as part of their cloud services.
The OpenStack Benefits
Although other cloud platforms are available out there, OpenStack has a few distinct and definite advantages for storage and other virtual solutions:
· The Cloud isn’t Just for Enterprises:
Some may think that only larger companies can benefit from the cloud, but the truth is that small to large companies can take part. OpenStack can be used to create everything from a virtual database that everyone can access or a central place where anyone can securely store and share files, regardless of their physical location.
· No Lock-in:
One of the initial reasons for OpenStack being created was to avoid a proprietary system where everyone is required to use the same cloud or follow the same tightly monitored rules. With OpenStack, participants can create any kind of private or public cloud, and more than 190 companies and 1,600 individuals are doing so. Here peer pressure is a good thing. Everyone from Intel to Ubuntu to Dell to NASA to Rackspace is involved or investing, which shows that not only everyone is taking part, but OpenStack has really become the industry standard.
· Everyone benefits:
Taking part in the cloud can be great for a business’s coffers, especially smaller ones or startups. With access to virtual computers or off-site cloud storage, you no longer may need to pay for extra costs such as lots of software licenses you may end up not needing, redundant servers or regular maintenance to all your servers. Instead, you can just pay for what you need, such as a particular application or storage capacity based on exactly how much data you or your customers are using.
Participating companies also make it especially easy to integrate their own applications, as they send out new updates whenever OpenStack does the same. The cost-saving potential of OpenStack and general cloud technology is certainly useful, but overall businesses should consider the larger reason to explore this new arena: It can boost your business by using new technology to make it more dynamic and agile.
