Understanding Cloud Computing

In the past few years, cloud computing has taken the world by storm. In fact, it is expected that by 2021, cloud computing is going to replace traditional data centers almost completely. While the concept of the cloud is no news to anybody who owns a smartphone, cloud computing may need a few clarifications.

What is cloud computing?

A cloud-based approach can be implemented much faster and can be accessed from anywhere, provided the user has access to the Internet. Broadly speaking, cloud computing is defined as the concept of storing and accessing services and programs through the internet, instead of private servers or personal hard drives.

The on-premises approach involves the software product being designed to work with the client’s in-house infrastructure. The traditional method has proven to be inefficient in some situations, being more complicated to upgrade, more demanding and time-consuming. At its core, cloud computing is nothing but a software business model, which has proven to be more efficient than the on-premises model.

Key aspects

As opposed to traditional software methods where the client has full ownership of the infrastructure needed to support the applications when it comes to cloud computing, the infrastructure is owned by a third party and the client, also known as end-user, is paying for the services they need and use on a daily basis.

• Resource pooling: This was often compared to people living in the same apartment complex. Cloud computing allows multiple clients to share the same infrastructure while keeping their privacy and the security of their information.
• Broad network access: all services provided through cloud computing can be accessed through any platform, be it a desktop, a smartphone or a tablet.
• Measured service: This way, end-users can pay exclusively for the resources they used, making it extremely cost-effective. Resources are measured constantly, allowing both users and service providers to keep a record of usage.

Cloud computing services

While there are multiple cloud computing services available for users, they can all be categorized into three main service models:

SaaS (Software as a service)

SaaS application development has gained popularity because it cuts down on operational and maintenance costs. The most common uses of SaaS are emails and CRM (customer relationship management) software. Perhaps the most popular form of cloud computing, SaaS means delivering applications as a service, though the Internet, making it available directly from the browsers, with no need for software installation.

IaaS (Infrastructure as a service)

The services are highly scannable and far more cost-effective than traditional storage options, offering a large variety of services, from databases to big data analytics and machine learning incorporation. By using IaaS services, clients can rent servers, networking and storage blocks on a pay-per-use basis.

PaaS (Platform as a service)

Businesses turn to PaaS services, so that their developers have access to the tools they need, without affecting the in-house infrastructure. PaaS is more oriented towards developers, providing a set of services they can use, such as shared tools, database management, as well as operating systems, which help speed up the development and launch of applications.

Benefits

Businesses have tremendous benefits when using cloud computing, depending on the nature of their business:

• Cost-effectiveness: By benefiting from the pay-as-you-go model, businesses will only pay for the services they use, eliminating monetary waste. When migrating to the cloud, businesses may find themselves making quite a significant investment, but the ROI is as significant.
• Reliability: Plus, there will be far fewer service interruptions and downtime issues. An in-house infrastructure is fairly less reliable than the cloud, where service providers offer backup options far more efficient and reliable.
• Mobility: the cloud allows end-users to access the software or data at any time and from any platform, making it easier for employees in a company to communicate with each other and share information whenever needed.