What is Cloud?
The first step to using a new technology is to gain a minimal understanding of what it is and how it can be used. In the case of cloud, the question, 'what is it?', is a confusing one. All the large computer companies have volumes of marketing material explaining how they have faster clouds, more flexible clouds, or higher performance clouds. When I hear the word, 'cloud', I think of a large room filled with servers. That's really all the cloud is: A large room filled with servers. The cool thing is that I don't own the servers and, like rented furniture, I can send them back anytime I want to.
The cloud is a collection of servers that can be rented out for any duration of time. The answer to the second question, 'how can I use the cloud?', is that it can be used any way a room full of servers can be used, without the huge investment of buildings/electricity/staffing/spare parts/etc. If I need a database to store large amounts of records I can rent one from a cloud provider. If I need a website to market and sell my products, I can rent that from a cloud provider. If I need large amounts of number crunching computing power, I can rent that as well. When I am done, I simply cancel my servers and stop paying.
The cloud is a service for renting and using computing power. This is great for manufacturing, especially just in time manufacturing. Computer resources can be used just when they are needed and then returned when the task is complete. Not only can manufacturers get closer to zero inventor, but they can also get closer to zero capital assets. When a production machine is down for maintenance the servers that track and improve productivity and quality can be turned off and removed from the balance sheet.
How can the Cloud be used in manufacturing
How do you use servers in your plant today? The cloud servers can be used in the same way as legacy servers. Cloud servers can run MES, SCADA, ERP, and custom software solutions. The benefit of the cloud based MES or ERP system is that it doesn't have to run out of harddisk space and it can be scaled to handle as many users and machines you send to it. Cloud servers don't need planned downtime for maintenance or upgrades. A properly configured system can be upgraded and scaled without interrupting production.
How can I start using the cloud? The most knowledgeable source for cloud topics is your local web developers. Chances are if you work at a fortune 500, the IT department won't know much about cloud and your favorite systems integrators and machine builders won't know much about cloud either. If you'd like to try using the cloud search for three local web developer shops and tell them about your vision and ask them about the cloud.