Cloud computing has been a regular parlance in the computing world since the 1960s. It is defined as a model for delivering computing services like servers, storage, databases, networking, software, etc., via the Internet.
Cloud services utilize the pay-as-you-go approach, which means that the cloud service providers offer their services to your business on a subscription basis. Cloud computing has proven to be a disruptive technology with serious potential to transform your modern business’s technology and choice of enterprise IT solutions.
In this beginner’s guide to cloud computing, we will look at cloud service models, the benefits of cloud computing, and potential challenges.
Cloud Service Models
The three common types of cloud service models are Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS).
SaaS model is the most common form of cloud computing in businesses today. SaaS platforms allow companies to access applications and software through their standard web browser. With SaaS, businesses eliminate the need to purchase, install, or maintain their applications. Instead, the applications can be installed on the business’s server or hosted by the cloud vendor.
On the other hand, PaaS cloud service model provides businesses with a framework for developers to create customized applications and software without worrying over system requirements, infrastructure, storage, etc. Through PaaS, software development becomes more efficient and cost-effective while remaining secure.
Lastly, IaaS utilizes virtualization, which means that IaaS cloud service provides all the benefits of a traditional data center which businesses then access virtually. With IaaS cloud service, enterprises manage their applications, middleware, security, and everything else they need for the data center while the cloud service provider manages the cloud infrastructure. The benefit of IaaS is that it’s flexible and provides infinite capacity for organizations to use as they need. It allows businesses to run their data centers in any location or device.
Research shows that the US leads all countries in the adoption of cloud computing. Managed IT services in Utah can advise your business on the best cloud computing option if you consider incorporating it.
What Are The Benefits Of Cloud Services?
Cloud services benefit your business in many ways. Specifically:
- Cloud Services Are Flexible
- Scalable
- Cost Saving
- Allows For Data Recovery In Case Of Loss
- Security Concerns
- Vendor Lock-in
A significant benefit of cloud services is their flexibility. With cloud services, businesses can adjust the resources they need and deploy them to any location in the world. Also, businesses have control over the rate and amount of storage they choose and don’t have to worry about how much power their servers consume; they just pay a specific rate for storage available on a particular server.
Scalability is vital to businesses. With cloud services, your business can scale up its cloud servers when it experiences high traffic and also scale down if demand levels are low.
Cloud services reduce business costs. Your business can outsource IT services to cloud service providers, which reduces the need to hire IT professionals. Also, the cloud service providers maintain and upgrade their servers, which saves your business more maintenance costs. Far from that, cloud services also allow your business to use only the resources it needs at that moment, so you’ll not have to don’t have to pay for any unused space or equipment.
Cloud services securely store and protect your data in case of losses or disasters. Most cloud service providers keep several copies of your business data in diverse locations to ensure you can recover them in case of a loss or disaster.
Challenges Facing Cloud Computing
Like every technology, cloud computing, too, faces some challenges. The most major of these challenges are:
Cloud servers are prime targets for threat actors like hackers who can gain access to your business information in case of insecure cloud APIs and interfaces, poor access management, unsecured cloud and server services, and more. You must ensure that your business places appropriate security measures to secure your company’s data and choose a cloud service provider with the proper security protocols.
Leaving your choice of a cloud service provider can be a tricky affair due to what is called vendor lock-in. Vendor lock-in is when your business cannot seamlessly leave a particular cloud service provider because it has built products using software that only works with the provider’s infrastructure, making it costly and time-consuming to migrate to another. You must consider your cloud computing vendor carefully before onboarding your business with their services.
Parting Shot
Cloud computing is of immense benefit to your business. However, like any other technology, it has disadvantages, as discussed above. Ensure you select an appropriate cloud service provider who will give your business the right balance between cost savings and flexibility to benefit from cloud computing technology.
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