The concept of the cloud is not a big secret anymore. It is a buzzword that is used while having discussions on digital transformation and technology today, and we have pretty much managed to get our heads around the fact that the cloud is here to stay in our everyday lives, even if we don’t understand all the changes that come with it. Not understanding fully how this cloud infrastructure works and what it offers us means that we may take this key technology for granted. To really appreciate the cloud, we need to develop a deeper understanding of what cloud computing is and how it works.
What is cloud computing?
Cloud computing refers to delivering computing resources, such as storage, computing power, databases, networking, analytics, AI, and software applications, over the internet—commonly known as the cloud. By pooling resources on demand, businesses are free to access the computing capacity they may need with less hassle from the purchase and management of physical IT configurations. This approach is especially appealing because it creates lots of flexibility and speeds up innovation with variable costs. Most companies do this by relating their migration to the cloud by updating their data and IT systems.
Types of cloud computing
Cloud computing includes various deployment models with unique features for various organisational needs.
- Public cloud: Those platforms that provide services and infrastructure hosted off-site, with their management being taken care of by the cloud provider. Resources are shared between several users and, for the most part, are openly accessible. It provides scalable, flexible, and cost-effective solutions with minimal resources required in physical infrastructure. Most importantly, it is perfect for organisations willing to deploy applications fast.
- Private cloud: Cloud resources used only by a single business or organisation, which may be hosted either within an on-site data centre of the company or by a third-party provider. It offers better security and more control; hence, quite suitable for companies with strict data regulations, sensitive information, or special needs that cannot be met by the public cloud.
- Hybrid cloud: It integrates both public and private clouds, providing an interface between them that enables free data and applications between them. All this lets a company have more flexibility and an increased number of options in deploying the data. With the hybrid cloud, critical applications and sensitive data can be housed in the private cloud, while less sensitive data leverages the robust computation resources of the public cloud.
- Multi-cloud: Using a mix of different cloud services in one diverse setup helps lessenbn dependence on any one provider, boosts flexibility by offering options, and protects against potential disasters. It minimises vendor lock-in and enhances business continuity by distributing resources, backups, and risks across various cloud platforms.
Why is cloud computing important?
- Cost-effective
Once you’re on the cloud, accessing your company’s data becomes easier, which helps in saving your time and money. Second, if you’re worried about an unexpected bill for using cloud features you don’t really need, most cloud services operate on a pay-as-you-go basis. This implies that you won’t have to pay extra for those you aren’t using. Another extension is the amount of storage space that you need for your clients and stakeholders. With the pay-as-you-go system, you will only pay for the space you consume, not the one you haven’t.
- Economies of scale
Cloud computing services offer some cool perks, like providing the ability to scale up or down easily. In short, this enables an organisation to get the right amount of IT resources—whether that is more computing power, storage, or bandwidth—when needed and in the best possible location.
- Improves collaboration
With the help of this technology, busy working professionals or people living far away from the office can still stay connected with their clients and teammates in real time. Additionally, you can easily share accessible information with salespersons, freelancers, or remote employees for a better work-life balance.
- Reliability
With cloud computing, the entire process of data backup, disaster recovery, and maintaining the normal functioning of a business becomes less inconvenient and costly. As with this model, data can easily be duplicated at several locations within the network of the cloud provider.
- Increases speed
Cloud services are generally self-service and on-demand. This approach allows companies to get access to huge amounts of computing power in just a matter of minutes, often in just a few clicks. This setup gives companies a lot of flexibility and eases the burden of capacity planning.
- Enhances security
A lot of cloud service providers have many policies, technologies, and controls that enhance your overall security, hence easy facilitation in securing your data, applications, and infrastructures from possible attacks.
- Increased strategic value
With cloud computing, enterprises can have access to several technologies and innovations to gain a competitive edge. Considering an example of retail and banking, generative AI-driven virtual assistants hosted in the cloud can speed up response times to customers and provide teams with free time to pursue more complex tasks.
What are cloud services?
Cloud services generally fall into four categories: Infrastructure as a service (IaaS), Platform as a service (PaaS), Serverless, and software as a service (SaaS). Sometimes these are referred to as the “cloud computing stack” since they layer on top of each other. Knowing what each is and what the differences are can really help you achieve your business objectives.
- IaaS
Known as Infrastructure as a Service, this layer of IaaS has core facilities like a virtual environment as well as database storage. Therefore, it allows businesses to achieve low-cost as well as scalable IT solutions by outsourcing complex and expensive hardware as a cloud provider. The customers can manage their own storage as well as power processing through the use of automated systems over IaaS platforms. Additionally, vendors take up all their maintenance work, such as system management, data backups, and business continuity.
- PaaS
Usually referred to as Platform as a Service, it can be regarded as a sort of intermediate solution in the world of the cloud. It is something located between SaaS and IaaS. Users get everything they need to create a digital platform. On one hand, you get the basics for storage, networking, and virtual servers. On the other hand, it’s accompanied by all the software and hardware necessary for designing, developing, testing, launching, managing, and running applications, dealing with data integration, analysis, and sharing.
- SaaS
Commonly known as Software as a Service, it is the new gold standard for business cloud computing. It encompasses various applications and services; therefore, it is an excellent replacement or supplement to traditional systems: ERP, accounting, HR management, content management, supply chain and inventory management, and CRM programs. You do not have to buy expensive licences, so users can tap into a variety of cloud applications whenever they need to.
- Serverless computing
Overlap from PaaS, serverless computing means developing a set of app features without any hassle over managing servers and infrastructure. From setup to capacity planning to server management, it is taken care of by the cloud provider. It’s super scalable and event-driven in that resources are only used whenever a specific function or trigger happens.
At Raksha IT, we totally get that cloud migration is key for boosting performance and staying up to date. That’s why it’s super important to analyse, plan, and implement everything carefully to ensure the cloud solution fits your business needs. We assist you in your digital transformation by guiding you through the cloud migration process with the right strategy, roadmap, workflow model, and partnerships. Together, we’ll figure out the best approach for your organisation, whether it’s public, private, or hybrid. Reach out to us today.
