cloud computing

(1) Running applications in or from network servers. Computing "in the cloud" may refer to a company's own network, but often refers to the Internet and the use of Web browser-based or rich client applications. It implies a trend toward network computing, which was embodied in the "network computer" of the late 1990s (see network computer).

For example, Google Apps provides common business applications online that are accessed from a Web browser. The software comes from the Web servers, and the data may be stored on the servers as well (see Google Apps). See cloud, utility computing, SaaS, ASP, thin client and rich client.

(2) Performing enormous scientific calculations in hundreds or thousands of idle machines within an enterprise or worldwide. See grid computing.