Embedded Files
In computing terms, 'The Cloud' refers to a network of servers (or powerful computers) that sporting clubs are increasingly using to store documents or other files. It can also be used to access some online services (or programs) that may otherwise operate on your computer, but this has not really taken off (yet) amongst sporting clubs. For instance, many small businesses now 'lease' their accounting services on The Cloud as an alternative to having to purchase accounting software to run on their computers and this si something that sporting cllubs may investigate in the future.
Most sporting clubs use The Cloud to store important documents or data files containing personal details. Files on The Cloud can be password protected, with access provided to certain club members only (such as committee members). Files can generally be accessed on multiple devices, irrrespective of location (such as work and home computers, tablets and smartphones).
Many businesses offer limited free storage on The Cloud, with a fee charged for extra storage requirements. Many of the 'free' accounts currently provide enough storage for local sporting club needs.
When considering use of The Cloud, you should consider:
how much storage you are allowed,
the cost (if you intend to upgrade to a fee-based service),
if other members are already using a particular Cloud-based service,
what level of protection is provided, and
if there any other useful features are avaible. For instance, Dropbox keeps a complete record of your files for the previous 30 days, so in that time you are able to retrieve a file that you may have accidentally deleted.
It is also useful to know how The Cloud works, as it generally operates by storing files on your local computer and then transferring them onto The Cloud in the background. When you next turn on another device that accesses The Cloud the file will be automatically transferred to that local device. This can take some time if you are transferring large files to The Cloud and you do not have fast Internet capability. Here is a brief video by BGSICT that explains how the Cloud works.
Some of the more well-known Cloud services are:
Dropbox: A reminder that DropBox keeps a 'version history' of your files for 30 days.
Google Drive: Google's file storage service. It can operate with an existing Google account.
OneDrive: Microsoft's Cloud storage service. They offer some packages that work with their Office 365 services.
Amazon Drive: Amazon's Cloud storage service.
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