All About the Cloud Computing System
AWS this, and Google Cloud that. Have you hopped on the cloud computing train yet?
There’s no average cloud computing system. Whether you’ve been using a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) or even taking advantage of a platform-as-a-service (PaaS) to grow your business, all of those iterations are a form of cloud computing and cloud-based systems.
While it might have been a cutting-edge technology five years ago, now any successful business will have the essence of cloud computing integrated into their infrastructure in one shape or another. But, if you don’t know your AWS from your Azure, no worries. We’ll get you all set.
Keep on reading for our full breakdown of everything you need to know about cloud computing, as well as its main benefits.
Cloud Computing System 101: What Is Cloud Computing?
Before we start our deep dive into the intricacies of cloud computing systems, let’s make sure that you’ve got the basics down.
In the simplest of terms, cloud computing is the umbrella term used for various hosted services. For instance, servers, data (or cloud) storage, software, and networking are all considered cloud computing products.
Basically, as long as a client can access data kept on a separate physical server, which maintains the cloud service provider maintains, it’s a form of cloud computing.
Therefore, instead of figuring out your exact storage needs by buying separate hard drives, or other storage devices, users can access their data that’s kept on the cloud. As long as you have an internet connection, you’ll have access to the cloud.
Types of Cloud Computing
There is a variety of different services that are powered by cloud computing. The first categorization follows the type of “service” offered. There are the platform-as-a-service (PaaS), the software-as-a-service (SaaS), and the infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS). You can see the different services of Turbonomic, an IBM company, and how they differ from one another.
But, if you look at it from the lens of deployment, you’ll see that cloud computing can be divide into the public, the private, and the hybrid cloud.
Another division makes use of the two layers of cloud computing, which are the front-end and the back-end. Their interaction parameters identify those layers. Basically, the front-end is what a client (or user) sees.
Think of interacting with your desktop. You can move the mouse around and click on different folders. This is the front-end. However, the layer which powers this interaction is the back-end. It’s the mixture of software and hardware that actually stores the data or platform’s information.
What Are the Benefits of Cloud Computing?
Cloud computing isn’t a buzzword that marketers repeat to gain new customers. The key driver behind the popularity of cloud computing is the actual benefits that it offers to businesses and organizations.
By saving time and a huge chunk of resources that businesses would need to create a physical IT infrastructure, cloud computing has given access to small and medium-sized companies the IT power of huge corporations at a fraction of the price.
Let’s take it one perk at a time.
Reduces Costs
Needless to say, one of the main issues that small businesses have to face is managing a rather tight budget. Without compromising their business growth and the quality of their products or services.
You’ll find that the majority of cloud providers have a pay-as-you-go model. However, having a cloud provider take care of the IT heavy-lifting can be freeing, both for a company’s finances and time. It allows businesses to only pay for the services they actively use and nothing more.
Provides Scalability
No matter how extensive your business forecasting may be, you’ll always have market surprises. You can easily deal with a boost in your users’ growth in no time at all.
Having a cloud provider with the essential scalability can make the difference in a business’s ability to scale up or crash and burn when they fail to meet the needs of their clients and the market.
Gives Flexibility and Collaboration Capacities
In the midst of a global pandemic, the companies that we’re able to shift to a remote (or online-heavy) model for their business were able to weather the storm. Sadly enough, those who weren’t able to adapt to the change went out of business.
As your data is safe and secure on the cloud, it’s accessible anytime and anywhere, as long as you (or your employees) have internet access.
You can set up your virtual office anywhere you like, and it provides the same level of flexibility to your teams and other employees.
Secures Business Continuity
Running a successful business isn’t about enjoying the high points but successful dealing with the crisis and outages that will occur sooner or later.
The cloud has great protocols for protecting your data in the midst of an outage or other forms of emergency. You can get your systems up and running in no time.
Delivers Competitive Edge
In a market that’s almost oversaturated, no matter the industry in question, it’ll always be a good idea to have a competitive advantage (or three) on your side.
Cloud computing systems can be the gift that keeps on giving in terms of training for your personnel, managing your IT infrastructure, and staying in compliance with the ever-changing rules and regulations governing data security.
After all, you only have to worry about picking the right cloud provider for your needs and the financial investment you give them. Other than that, they are the ones responsible for the bulk of the work.
Deciphering Cloud-Based Systems
We know how overwhelming it can be for small businesses and those new to IT infrastructure to understand the sheer breadth and depth of a single cloud computing system.
Hopefully, our explainer has shed some light on what makes cloud computing systems so essential to running any business in this day and age. Remember to take your time in searching for the perfect cloud provider for your business needs.
And, if you liked our article, make sure to check out our additional tips and strategies, all available to you in our technology section.