Cloud computing is a style of computing in which dynamically scalable resources are provided as a service over the Internet. As a user of Aero you need not have knowledge of, expertise in, or control over the technology infrastructure in the "cloud" that supports Aero. Aero provides online agency management functions that are accessed from a web browser, while the software and data are stored on the servers. The term cloud is used as a metaphor for the Internet and is an abstraction for the complex infrastructure it conceals.

The move towards Cloud Computing reflects the diminishing importance of information technology as it becomes standardized and less expensive. The cloud computing paradigm shift is similar to the displacement of electricity generators by electricity grids early in the 20th century.

Characteristics

Cloud computing users do not own the physical infrastructure (data centers, servers, back up generators, routers, switches, etc.) used to host the Aero software platform. Nor do they need to employ a technical staff to manage the hardware and software infrastructure. Instead, they avoid capital expenditure and consume resources as a service and pay only for resources that they use. Sharing "perishable and intangible" computing power among multiple tenants improves utilization rates, as servers are not unnecessarily left idle.

Economics

Aero users pay a fixed subscription fee thereby avoiding capital expenditures on hardware, software, and services; you only pay for the resources you use with no upfront cost. Other benefits of using the Aero Cloud are its low up front cost, shared infrastructure and costs, low management overhead, and immediate access to a powerful application. Users can terminate usage of Aero at any time without financial penalties.