The evolution accelerated in the mid-2000s when Amazon launched its Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2), providing small businesses and individuals with access to a scalable cloud infrastructure. This model laid the groundwork for software as a service (SaaS), a key component of cloud computing. Salesforce, founded in 1999, is often credited with pioneering the concept of delivering enterprise applications via a simple website. However, the real momentum for cloud computing started in the late 1990s and early 2000s with the explosion of the internet. The journey of cloud-based software began in the 1960s with the concept of time-sharing and resource-sharing to optimize computing power. Why - and how - did cloud-based software evolve? Thankfully, innovative solutions have emerged in response to these challenges. Remote access to company resources is limited and often requires complex VPN setups or direct dial-up connections, which are slower and less secure than other - more modern - standards. Collaboration and data sharing among employees are primarily facilitated through internal networks or by physically transferring data using removable media. What’s more, data backup and recovery processes are often cumbersome and prone to risks such as data loss due to hardware failures or disasters.Īnother core challenge of desktop software is reduced efficiency. The most significant downsides of desktop software include:

Ranging from reduced convenience and functionality to creating single points of failure, relying on desktop software is no longer a wise choice for ecommerce businesses. What are the challenges of desktop applications?ĭesktop applications present far more challenges than benefits. Licensing models for software were usually inflexible - often per-seat or per-device - and businesses had to purchase individual licenses for each user or machine. This meant that software updates and patches had to be manually applied, requiring IT staff to spend time maintaining each computer and server. In this model of operating, software applications were generally installed and run on individual desktops or on servers located within a company’s premises. Data backup and recovery processes were also managed internally, often involving physical backups on tapes or external hard drives that were stored offsite for security and disaster recovery purposes. It also required ongoing investment for maintenance and upgrades.ĭata management and storage were primarily handled through onsite servers or computer systems. For example, for businesses who chose to build their own solution, this required hardware such as servers, storage devices, and networking equipment, along with the physical space to house these resources. This infrastructure often required substantial capital investment. This era was characterized by the use of in-house data centers, standalone servers, and personal computers to manage, store, and process data.

How did businesses operate before the cloud?īefore the cloud computing revolution, businesses relied heavily on physical hardware and localized software solutions. desktop is more fitting for your inventory management needs. In this article, we’ll journey through the evolution of cloud computing and consider whether cloud vs. Heck, even Linnworks started there - and look at how far we’ve come.ĭesktop inventory management applications were once the cutting-edge of sophistication, and they unlocked growth for ecommerce retailers all around the world.īut innovation has marched on, and the revolution brought by cloud-based software has changed the way organizations operate, unlocking great potential - and efficiency.

Plenty of great software began its life as a desktop application.

Cloud based inventory