CLOUD TECHNOLOGY AND EDI

Cloud Technology and EDIWith the cloud being everywhere these days, it is important to understand what the cloud is and what it isn't. Along with the basics of the grid computing based technology, it's important to understand both the benefits and drawbacks of cloud computing.So, what is the cloud?The cloud is remote computing services accessed via a stable Internet connection. Taking the form of virtual computing resources, businesses may access the cloud through a device (such as a smartphone, tablet, or laptop).Companies most commonly accessed the cloud through applications. For example, BOLD VAN's BOLD Manager is a web portal that companies may access and transmit EDI data via the cloud.Getting a bit deeper, the cloud refers to computing resources held within geographically diverse data centers operating on a 24/7/365 timescale. Physically and literally speaking, the cloud is the Internet access to pooled computing resources operating from servers that are always online.While the term “the cloud” implies a complete transcendence from physical computing hardware, the truth of “the cloud” is industrial size data centers filled with servers, cooling equipment, nodes, routers, hypervisors and a wide variety of computing hardware.The Cloud and EDI VANsThe cloud is computing resources (software, applications, infrastructure) accessible via the Internet and stored remotely instead of your personal device. It is the accessing and harnessing of remote compute power.Many electronic data interchange value-added networks (EDI VANs) operate from the cloud. This provides companies the convenience of managing their EDI data from any device remotely. Mobile access to EDI data is the gold standard companies look for when shopping VANs.With the majority of the market understanding cloud tech through mobile access, it might be important to understand how the technology came to be.Advantages and DrawbacksThe advantages of the cloud are pretty straight forward:

• 24/7/365 access to data via a stable Internet connection
• Scalable computing resources
• Reduces cost of both CAPEX and OPEX
• Flexibility in architecture via public, private or hybrid infrastructures
• Ability to work on projects with team members across geographic divisions
• Ability to work from anywhere
• Ability to access and utilize the major platforms of the cloud – SaaS, IaaS and PaaS
• Per seat model of software purchases end. Cloud allows for replication of software across a network with software updates pushed by the provider

Likewise, the drawbacks of the cloud are pretty straight forward:

• Cost. While cloud might reduce CAPEX and OPEX, if you aren't careful to match your need with the correct solution, the cost of operation, i.e. scale, can prove to break the bank
• Security. In most cases, cloud tech is secure (think VPN connections) yet as seen through public leaks and data breaches of major companies, the cloud does have a security issue
• Potential downtime. While cloud data lives in a data center the world over, that data center, without the proper backup solutions, can falter causing your company data to be inaccessible or wholly lost

Companies rely on VANs to mitigate the drawbacks of the cloud. EDI VANs operating from the cloud maintain hardware and update security optimizing EDI data transmissions and security.Ultimately, the cloud is in place to simplify and secure how people and business access, interact, and utilize data. EDI VANs operating from the cloud enable companies of any size all the benefits and conveniences the cloud offers.BOLD VAN offers trading partner pricing making cloud technology accessible and affordable for any company. You are billed only by the number of trading partners you exchange data within a billing period.