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Cloud Connect- for Google Search Appliance

The article basically entails Google’s introduction of its new service “Cloud Connect” to its Google Search Appliance users. The service is of a unique kind, where it has begun implementing the next generation of computing; cloud computing. Before elaborating on how the service works, it is important to point out that Google has been recently working hard on developing cloud based applications. The way these applications work is that a user can access the application from a remote server, use the application and save their work, all on that same server. This means that none of the information is actually saved on the user’s computer, but on that particular distant server.

The applications that Google has developed recently include their own rendition of an “office” like software, which involves documents, spreadsheets and slideshow. While working on them, Google ensured that they have a cloud basis, so that they could easily be uploaded and downloaded from the “cloud”.

Google’s cloud connect enables the GSA users to access these cloud based apps, and download any material uploaded through them. For example, if an employee from any of the firm’s department uploaded a Google Docs file on the server, any employee from the organization can now access the cloud and obtain the document. This is only one example of the many cloud based apps that can be uploaded and retrieved from the server, depending on the firm’s wants and demands.

Another important facet that Google decided to integrate with the cloud connect services is its ability to access social networks such as Twitter and Facebook. This feature enables employees and experts to search for other personals within the same field of expertise, and allow them to connect with one another.

All these new features help increase the firm’s efficiency, along with helping it access more resources and connecting with other organizations.

Article source: http://techcrunch.com/2010/10/18/google-search-appliance-now-works-with-the-cloud/



__**DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:**__

__Do you guys believe that such technology would be useful?__

__Do you see cloud computing becoming a prominent form of computing?__