Dec
2007
Goggle is all set to invade the realm of storage now. It may be a “Virtual Hard Drive” from Google. An article recently published in the November 27 issue of the ‘Wall Street Journal’ discussed about strong possibilities of such an innovation by Google.
The ‘Wall Street Journal’ cited few people who are closely connected with the source of this information and are well familiar with the matter. On that basis,WSJ put forward a claim that Google is close to announce an innovative service that would help users store all their word-processing documents, digitized music, video clips, and photographs on its servers.
Introducing New Approach
This service will facilitate everyone to move their digital data and other forms of information on to the Google’s servers. This ‘Internet Cloud’ approach of Google will also provide a specifically dedicated ‘search tool box’ in order to facilitate users to reach at their own data. The facility will be extended from multiple computers and all handheld devices with a password. This will be a new approach as the user will be able to access its own data from anywhere. It actually breaks the traditional set up where user can only access through its own machine.
Cloud Concept, the Base
The ‘Cloud Concept’ landed almost five years back along with the concept of “Software as a Service (SAAS).’SAS’ was a brainchild of the service provider’SalesForce.com’ and it delivers multiple applications to the customers through internet and ‘Amazon.com’. The service provider ’SalesForce.com’ is offering its dedicated servers and storage services though the internet.
“Cloud computing is going mainstream. The apps people use every day, such as e-mail, photo sharing and word processing, are moving to the Web because it’s easier to share and access your data from anywhere when it’s online in one place.” Said Google’s spokesperson to eWeek though denying confirming the facts given in the ‘Wall Street Journal’.
Google has multiple applications that are internet based and of course free for all users. It is already offering free online storage facility for its “Gmail Web Mail Client” and “Picasa web Album Software”. Paid services for online storage is also underway from Google.
Visualizing Challenges Ahead
will certainly face a consternation situation among privacy advocates when it will launch a service of data storage involving the movement of customer’s files onto its servers. Microsoft will definitely pose hurdles and stiff competition as it is also concurrently working on the concept of online file storage services called “Live Folders”. Another big competitor in this field would be “EMC”. This traditional storage company, ‘EMC’, recently acquired an online storage services provider company”Mozy” and is growing fast.
The online anywhere access storage concept of Google, assuming that it is coming with all these features as the ‘Wall Street Journal’ reported, would be facing some more relevant challenges and will raise some very pertinent questions regarding its sanctity. It is not going to be a cakewalk for Google.
Security and Privacy Concerns
One of the major challenges is the accessing of user’s data and files irrespective of place, machine, and individuality. Allowing the access just with a password would certainly involve the privacy and security issues. In this time when password theft has become so common, spywares and malwares are continuously hunting for such confidential and personal information of users, the idea of an access through a password seems a bit lightly taken. Considering the intentions and ability along with the strength and user friendly attitude of Google, it seems less likely that Google will not be addressing these issues with utmost care. Despite that, users will want to be doubly sure about the security of their own data on the Google’s servers.
Data Encryption
The idea generates several other related points in one’s mind. How Google will deal with the issue of ‘Encryption of data’. Who will be managing the encryption keys in such a situation? Access to the stored data and file would definitely have certain limiting factors. The ‘cloud’ may also go down at any moment and during that period users will not be able to access their data and file. If this process would be completely online and no other alternative is available for users to access their files offline, it would be an obscure situation and Google certainly have to include all possible remedial measures.
Online Backup
This online data and file storage system of Google would also require an added backup service. It is not wise enough to have distrust on Google guys as this is an almost parallel pre-prequisite.Google has an advantage of learning from the experiences of already functioning services in the market like ‘EMC’.
Geoff Bock, an analyst of repute from the Gilbane Group expressed his views on this possibility, “if Google creates an online backup service, it will be thrust into competition with EMC and others who have been practicing storage for years. However, Google lacks the expertise EMC does in information management, such as backup, recovery and archiving”.
Desktop Environment
Supplementing the user’s ‘Desktop Environment’ is one more relevant issue that would need Google’s attention. If the provider has any plans to make such supplements more curative and safety measures in addition to the in built affordability, it will definitely require working hard on implementing a file system in the cloud.
Collaborative Web Environment for Sharing Information
Geoff Bock favors an idea of creating a collaborative web environment. He advocates creating “Microsoft’s SharePoint in the cloud”. This software supplements multiple functions for users. People will certainly find this utility as immensely helpful for working in the cloud on their desktop or handheld devices.” collaborative web environment that paves the way for ad-hoc information sharing among work groups”, says Geoff Bock of Gilbane Group.
The idea of creating an online data storage services perhaps has a right timing in today’s business and information age. The idea however could prove a sticky one also and Google would require being doubly sure of its success.
