How do I explain cloud computing to non-technical people?

You can simplify it even further with the phrase, 'I move software from local servers to cloud servers, which are just really powerful computers in a different place.' It keeps the focus on your role and why it matters, which might resonate better.

You could say, 'Imagine you have a regular computer at home, but it has limits. The cloud is like a supercharged version—there are a ton of computers in big buildings that you can tap into when you need more power or storage without having to buy new hardware.' This way, you touch on the benefits without getting too technical.

You might also want to explain it as a way to move services from computers you manage to ones that someone else takes care of. It's like renting space instead of buying the whole building. You still get access, but you save on maintenance. It helps people understand the efficiency and cost-saving aspect.

The easiest way to explain the cloud to someone is to say it's simply someone else's computer connected to the internet. So when you use a service like AWS, you're basically using their computers instead of managing your own. It helps to think of it like this: just like you don’t physically own every tool in a hardware store, you don’t need to own the computer hardware if you can access it through the cloud!