Useful Cloud Based Tools

The first cloud based tool is called LastPass which is a password manager that you can use for your most popular browsers such as Internet Explorer, Firefox and Chrome. The passwords are stored on a cloud server and are ready to use whenever you need them. This tool is not only available as a add-on to your web browser, but also a app that you can use for your android, apple phone, computer. The product has both a free version and a premium version with more features.

https://lastpass.com/

Remember The Milk is one of the cloud based tools I choose to share it has a very weird name which basically references if someone goes to the store what is the one thing they always forget "Milk". It can be downloaded as a app on your android or apple devices. The purpose of Remember The Milk is to schedule and remind you of important events it does this by you first telling it what you want it to remember. Then it uses a cloud server allowing it to remind you anywhere on the go. It also uses google map to show you the place you need to be all in real-time. You can set it to send you reminders via Gmail or even Twitter. The app is totally free and there is no payed version of the tool. This tool can be very valuable in the business environment as companies can use it to remind workers of meetings and other important updates all in real-time. 

http://www.rememberthemilk.com/

Tripit organizes travel plans it is similar to Remember The Milk, but focuses on letting you know about flights and reminding you of upcoming flights. It is a cloud based tool which allows for the user to create custom itineraries so that you can add maps and directions, travel notes, photos, recommendations. You can share these with friends and family on your mobile device or through social media sites. There are three main version of Tripit which are Tripit Free, Tripit Pro and Tripit for Teams.

https://www.tripit.com/

Google Apps for Business is one of the more well known cloud based tools it features many apps such as Gmail, Google Drive, Google Docs, etc. Businesses use this tool for obvious reasons company emails, sharing presentation and important documents over a cloud server. The newer Google Hangout allows multiple users to carry on conversation and see each other via webcam which is perfect for meetings. All of these tools are available thought mobile apps and through web browsers.

http://www.google.com/intl/en/enterprise/apps/business/

Office2 HD for Ipad is a interesting tool that allows you to create Microsoft Office compatible documents such as excel, word, and powerpoint. Seeing as most of the assignments at my school that involve writing most teachers want the assignment submitted as a Microsoft Office Compatible document. The Office 2 also integrates the cloud by giving you access to your data wherever you are.

http://www.bytesquared.com/product/office-hd

Server's are widely used in the IT field used for running websites, separate operating systems, housing data and more. Improvement to this technology is always welcomed such as faster processing speeds, more memory and storage space, energy efficient, and cheaper. There are many brands of servers to fit whatever business/personal need that you require. The server that I found on the Gizmag Website is called the uSVR fan less server which was created by Israel's CompuLab. Some of the features and specs of this product are as followed:

• Core i7 processor runs at 2.5GHz or 1.7GHz
• 32 GB of dual channel ECC DDR3 RAM (1600 MHz)
• 2.5-inch 500 GB or 1 TB HDDs supporting RAID 0, 1, 5, 10
• Up to 480 GB of mSATA SSD boot storage, and an eSATA port 
• Between 8 W and 35 W Power draw
• Supports HDMI up to 2560 x 1600 resolution at 60 Hz
• Uses both USB 3.0 and 2.0
• Features both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi wireless technology 

The uSVR is currently set at $556 with optional features at an additional cost. This product is exactly what an IT specialist would be looking for in a server; processing power, reasonable storage space, and energy efficient. (Ridden, 2013)

Ridden, P. (2013, April 19). CompuLab launches high performance uSVR fanless server. Retrieved April 21, 2013, from Gizmag Web site: http://www.gizmag.com/compulab-usvr-fanless-server/27168/

In the IT field storage is always a big deal important data such as customer information, programs, etc are stored in internal and external hard drives. The only minor concern that large firms have is actually not the storage space, but the speed at which you can access the data. The remedy for this is the faster albeit more expensive SSD which do not back the same amount of storage space as your typical external hard drives. It makes up for this by having blazing fast speed allowing you to transfer data to work computers in less time. While I still do believe transfer speed is a minor problem reason being is that most companies are not willing to spend more and they prefer having more storage space. This could change in the future when SSD becomes cheaper in price, has increased storage space and companies demand for higher transfer speeds.

With this being said the prices have decreased for solid states drives the one I would like to present to you today is called the Plextor M5 Pro Xtreme. Some of the Specs Include:

• Comes in 3 models 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
• 7mm-thick, 2.5-inch standard internal drive
• SATA 3 (6Gbps), SATA 2, SATA
• OS: Windows, Mac, Linux
• Read speeds: up to 540 MB/s and Write speeds up to 470

As I stated before the Plextor M5 Pro Xtreme is reasonably priced as low as $130 for the 128GB model, $250 for the 256GB and about $430 for the 512GB model.(Ngo, 2013)

Ngo, D. (2013, January 9). Plextor M5 Pro Xtreme review. Retrieved April 13, 2013, from CNET Web site: http://reviews.cnet.com/hard-drives/plextor-m5-pro-xtreme/4505-3186_7-35567539.html