A cloud application, or cloud app, is a software program where cloud-based and local components

work together. This model relies on remote servers for processing logic that is accessed through a
web browser with a continual internet connection. Cloud application servers typically are located in a
remote data center operated by a third-party cloud services infrastructure provider. Cloud-based
application tasks may encompass email, file storage and sharing, order entry, inventory management,
word processing, customer relationship management (CRM), data collection, or financial accounting
features.

Benefits of cloud apps

Fast response to business needs. Cloud applications can be updated, tested and deployed quickly,
providing enterprises with fast time to market and agility. This speed can lead to culture shifts in
business operations.

Simplified operation. Infrastructure management can be outsourced to third-party cloud providers.

Instant scalability. As demand rises or falls, available capacity can be adjusted.

API use. Third-party data sources and storage services can be accessed with an application

programming interface (API). Cloud applications can be kept smaller by using APIs to hand data to

applications or API-based back-end services for processing or analytics computations, with the results

handed back to the cloud application. Vetted APIs impose passive consistency that can speed

development and yield predictable results.

Gradual adoption. Refactoring legacy, on-premises applications to a cloud architecture in steps

allows components to be implemented on a gradual basis.

Reduced costs. The size and scale of data centers run by major cloud infrastructure and service

providers, along with competition among providers, has led to lower prices. Cloud-based applications

can be less expensive to operate and maintain than equivalent on-premises installations.

Improved data sharing and security. Data stored on cloud services is instantly available to

authorized users. Due to their massive scale, cloud providers can hire world-class security experts and

implement infrastructure security measures that typically only large enterprises can obtain. Centralized

data managed by IT operations personnel is more easily backed up on a regular schedule and

restored should disaster recovery become necessary

1. Drop Box
When it comes to cloud computing real-life examples, Dropbox is a true leader. Established in
the year 2008, Dropbox plays an important role in how data is stored. It comes with a
sophisticated dashboard, which can be accessed via the desktop or web application. Dropbox
is one of the very few cloud storage services to offer up to 1 TB of storage space for free.
And, it has a separate interface for uploading and securing files. Dropbox is currently used by
both individuals and companies. It is extremely famous amongst common users, who want to
securely store their files and documents in the cloud without spending a lot of money.

2. Google
The talk about examples of companies using cloud computing will remain incomplete without
Google. Gmail is one of Google’s most important email service providers. It comes with
unlimited access to Google Cloud architecture. Indeed, Gmail has changed the way we send
and receive files/documents across the world. Today, Gmail is used by billions of people.
Apart from day to day communication with dear ones, and online retail entities – GMail
comes as a business package too. There are many cloud computing implementation examples
that revolve around the model used by GMail. Gmail and Google Drive go hand-in-hand
which means, emails and files can be stored automatically into the Drive from your Gmail
account.