iCloud is a cloud storage and cloud computing service from Apple which was announced on June 6, 2011. The service allows users to store data such as music files on remote computer servers for download to multiple devices such as iPhones, iPods, iPads, and personal computers running Mac OS X or Microsoft Windows. It also acts as a data syncing center for email, contacts, calendars, bookmarks, notes, to-do lists, and other data.

iCloud

Now, how can iCloud assist businesses?

• 5 GB free storage

When you sign up for iCloud, you automatically get 5GB of free storage. Since your purchased music, apps, books, and TV shows, as well as your Photo Stream, don’t count against your free storage, you still have plenty room to go for your documents, mails, etc.

• Online Document Sharing

iCloud makes it easy to move Pages, Keynote, and Numbers documents between your computer and your iOS devices. You just need to sign in to icloud.com/iwork, and all your iWork for iOS documents will be there. For example, Upload a Keynote presentation from your Mac desktop or laptop into iCloud and it’ll be available to run as a slideshow from your iPad.

• Automatic Storage

Whenever you edit or create a document, the document stays up to date on all your iOS devices and there is no obligation to save your work. That is because iCloud automatically stores your content so it’s always available to your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, or PC.

• Automatic Update

It also keeps your email, contacts, and calendars up to date across all your devices. For example when you add a new appointment date on your iPhone’s calendar, the calendar on your Mac or iPad is also updated accordingly.

• Routine Recovery

You don’t need to worry about losing your important data. The iCloud recovery routine will load the most recent version of everything back onto your iDevice.

Businesses, particularly small companies, reliant on iOS and Mac OS X hardware, are likely to find iCloud an appealing way to simplify their file management and distribution.