Cloud computing is a type of software as a service (SaaS) that provides on-demand access to a shared pool of configurable computer resources and other services. On the surface, it appears that cloud computing is just one more IT buzzword. After all, doesn’t “cloud” refer to data or applications floating around in the ether? The truth is rather different: Cloud computing has real, pragmatic benefits for organizations of virtually any size.
What is Cloud Computing?
Cloud computing is the delivery of computing services—including servers, storage, databases, networking, software, analytics, and intelligence—over the Internet (“the cloud”) to offer faster innovation, flexible resources, and economies of scale.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) defines cloud computing as “a model for enabling 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.”
In other words: Cloud computing is the ability to access technology resources—including information and applications—on demand, without having to build or manage those resources yourself.
Why Cloud Computing Is Good For Business
There are many reasons why cloud computing is good for business. Perhaps the most obvious reason is that it can help businesses save money on IT infrastructure costs. With cloud computing, businesses do not need to invest in their own servers and other hardware. Instead, they can simply rent or lease access to a remote server from a cloud computing provider. This can save businesses a considerable amount of money up front, as well as on ongoing maintenance and energy costs.
Another reason why cloud computing is good for business is that it can improve business agility and flexibility. With cloud computing, businesses can more easily scale up or down their IT resources as needed, without having to make large upfront investments in new hardware. This can help businesses respond quickly to changing market conditions or customer needs.
Finally, cloud computing can also help businesses improve their security and disaster recovery capabilities. By storing data and applications off-site on a remote server, businesses can protect themselves from data loss due to local disasters such as fires or floods. Additionally, many cloud computing providers offer robust security features that can help protect businesses from online threats such as hackers and malware.
What Can You Do With Cloud Computing?
If you’re not using cloud computing, you’re missing out on some serious benefits. Here are just a few of the things you can do with cloud computing:
1. Store and access files from anywhere – With cloud storage, you can upload files to a remote server and access them from any internet-connected device. This is handy for backing up important files or working on documents while you’re on the go.
2. Stream audio and video – Services like Spotify and Netflix use cloud streaming to let users listen to music or watch movies without having to download anything.
3. Send and receive email – Web-based email services like Gmail and Outlook use the power of the cloud to deliver messages quickly and reliably.
4. Host websites – Cloud hosting services like Amazon Web Services make it easy to launch a website or blog without having to worry about managing your own server.
5. Run business applications – Many businesses use cloud-based applications like Salesforce, Google Apps, and Office 365 to help run their operations more efficiently.
How Does Cloud Computing Work?
Cloud computing is 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.
This cloud model is composed of five essential characteristics, three service models, and four deployment models.
Cloud computing is 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). This technology allows users to access their data and applications from any location with an Internet connection.
In order for cloud computing to work, there must be a way to store data and applications on the cloud so that they can be accessed by users from anywhere in the world. This is accomplished through the use of virtualization technology. Virtualization is a process of creating a virtual (software-based) version of something, such as an operating system, a server, or even an entire network.
Once data and applications are stored on the cloud in a virtualized environment, they can be accessed by users from any location with an Internet connection. Users can access their data and applications through a web browser or a mobile app.
What are the Templates and Service Providers?
The templates and service providers are what make cloud computing so beneficial. With these tools, businesses can easily tap into powerful resources without having to invest in them upfront. This pay-as-you-go model gives businesses the flexibility to scale up or down as needed, making it ideal for companies that experience fluctuating demands.
There are a variety of template and service providers available, each offering different features and benefits. To find the right one for your business, it’s important to understand your needs and what you’re looking for in a provider. Some things to keep in mind include:
– The type of workloads you’ll be running on the cloud (e.g., storage, compute, networking, etc.)
– Your budget
– The level of control you need over your data and resources
– The security and compliance requirements of your industry
Once you have a good understanding of your needs, you can start evaluating different template and service providers. Make sure to read reviews and compare pricing before making your final decision.
Platforms and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
The cloud computing platforms and infrastructure as a service (IaaS) industry is forecast to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 30.8% from 2018 to 2023, according to MarketsandMarkets research.
IaaS provides scalable, on-demand IT resources and services over the internet. IaaS includes public, private, and hybrid cloud models and enables enterprises to pay for only what they use.
IaaS offers many benefits, including reduced capital expenditure (CAPEX), reduced operational expenditure (OPEX), and improved agility and flexibility. IaaS also helps enterprise users avoid the risks associated with traditional data center management, such as hardware procurement, capacity planning, provisioning, monitoring, maintenance, and upgrades.