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Definition: cloud based


Operations that involve a network. The term often refers to the public Internet; however, a cloud may also be a private, internal network (see cloud). Following are common cloud-based operations:

The Internet
Desktop, smartphone and tablet apps are downloaded from the Internet and installed. The software is updated periodically from the Internet, and the data are often updated in real time (stock quotes, weather, notifications, etc.). See cloud computing.

Web Apps
Applications are run from code within Web pages downloaded to the browser from the Internet. See Web application.

Cloud Storage
Storing information on an Internet server for backup as well as synchronization to all the user's devices. See cloud storage.

Infrastructure
Servers are hosted over the Internet and available for an organization's exclusive use. See cloud computing.

Private Networks
Inhouse datacenters can offer cloud computing functions to employees with the same functionality as the public Internet, but with more control and security. Desktop apps (typically Windows) and updates are downloaded from the company's internal servers. Web-based apps also function the same except the source is the company's inhouse website (see intranet). Organizations also routinely store data on their servers for backup.