Cloud Computing

Cloud Computing: An IT Solution for businesses of all sizes

Introduction

With the advent of cloud computing, businesses are able to leverage the rapid growth of cloud infrastructure in ways previously impossible. Cloud computing is a flexible, scalable solution for businesses of all sizes, with offerings that include infrastructure as a service (IaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), and software as a service (SaaS). In this article we’ll explore the basics of cloud computing, explain why it’s such an appealing solution to many different types of businesses, and review the various options available to businesses looking to make use of cloud solutions.

What Is Cloud Computing?

Cloud computing is a system of remote servers hosted over networks, accessible via desktop and mobile applications. Essentially, cloud computing is a way to access services and software on-demand. Cloud technologies manage infrastructure, data storage, application hosting, software provisioning and more—allowing users to enjoy higher availability, greater scalability and lower costs. Cloud technologies also enable global collaboration among teams and customers without compromising security or privacy. Simply put, it’s a method of storing information remotely on servers owned by someone else (such as Amazon Web Services) so that users can access data from any location using any device connected to the Internet.

Key Benefits of Cloud Computing

Cloud computing is, quite simply, a model for enabling ubiquitous, convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources (e.g., networks, servers, storage, applications and services) that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort or service provider interaction. Such a cloud approach can help organizations transform their business processes by improving collaboration and communication across an organization in terms of information sharing. At its core, cloud computing allows organizations to tap into a virtually unlimited amount of processing power from any Internet connection at any time.

How Does it Work?

Cloud computing utilizes the cloud—the interweb, basically—to store and process data. Because it uses existing web-based technology, there’s no need to install software or hardware on your company’s computers in order to harness its benefits. Cloud computing is often used by large organizations (think Google and Microsoft) but can also be helpful for small business owners who don’t have a lot of extra money lying around but do have limited computer storage space.

When Can I Use It?

You can use cloud computing right now, just not in its most fully realized sense. Cloud computing is like anything else—there are varying levels of reliability and access depending on your needs and budget. This overview will look at why you should consider cloud computing, what benefits it has over traditional data storage methods, and what limitations you’ll encounter if you decide to use it. We’ll take a brief look at some common misconceptions about cloud technology as well.

Challenges with cloud computing

Managed services aren’t right for every business. Despite their benefits, there are several challenges with cloud computing, including service provider limitations and reliability concerns. Before you decide to go with a managed service in a public cloud, be sure to research potential issues and plan ahead. Here are some common concerns that organizations face when adopting cloud computing technology as an IT solution. A new paradigm for how data is stored, accessed and shared is taking hold among enterprises—and it’s being fueled by explosive growth in virtualization technology.

How Much Does it Cost?

The cost of cloud computing is a tricky question. The real question is more like What kind of cloud service do you need? With so many cloud solutions on offer, choosing one that fits your business’s needs is often difficult. Luckily, there are plenty of providers out there offering different products and services; from cheaper shared hosting packages to bespoke enterprise solutions, it shouldn’t be too hard to find one that suits your company just right. The common Cloud solutions are PaaS (Platform as a Service, IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service), SaaS (Software as a Service) or Serverless Computing on Private, Public or Hybrid Cloud. Each solution offers the different range of Managed Services depending on the suites and your budget. SaaS users pay a monthly or annual subscription fee; some may offer ‘pay-as-you-go’ pricing based on your actual usage.

Wrap Up

Cloud computing is a great solution to numerous problems experienced by businesses in today’s market. It allows your business to scale easily as well as manage infrastructure both cost effectively and securely. The key is picking a service that best fits your company’s needs, whether you want something simple like storage space or need more heavy duty offerings such as a dedicated server. It also allows you to focus on your business or software development without the overheads of managing the plaform on-premises and infrastructure.