To implement your ideas in your business, you will need software, storage and many applications. These will cost you space, time and money. You also risk encountering technical problems that could lead you to review or modify your entire system… Fortunately for you, there is a solution: Cloud computing.
But what is cloud computing? What are its characteristics and what advantages does it really present?
Here are some answers for you:
Presentation of cloud computing
The cloud refers to an IT service delivery model that provides access, on demand, to a shared network and to a set of configurable IT resources (networks, servers, storage, applications, etc.) with the aim of using them very quickly and with minimal administration.
To summarize, we can say that it is a solution allowing us, remotely, to use IT resources made available to us!
And if you still have trouble understanding, the following example should help you:
A few years ago, to listen to music, you had to buy a CD and bring your good old laser station.
Today, with applications like Spotify, Deezer or Apple Music, all you need is a device connected to the internet to have access to a multitude of albums without actually owning them.
This comparison with the cloud makes sense where, for a subscription, you will have access, on your device, to a service and to data hosted by the provider of this service.
Also Read: 5 Questions To Ask Yourself Before Moving To The Hybrid Cloud
The advantages of the cloud
The cost
- Cloud computing is inexpensive because it combines a multitude of services into one.
- By using your own IT infrastructure you will have to obtain applications, storage power, a server base, without forgetting to pay expert staff for the installation, configuration and maintenance of your system… whereas they could use their skills in other tasks.
- By favoring cloud computing, there is no longer any need to manage your IT infrastructure or invest in hardware and software!
Performances
Services run on a secure data center network ensuring fast and smooth performance. This notably offers significant reductions in terms of network slowness.
Speed of implementation
It only takes a few hours to get new cloud services. By avoiding the need to plan, acquire and install the necessary resources, the time to be up and running goes from several weeks to just a few hours!
Security
- Thanks to cloud computing, all data backup, storage and recovery operations will be improved and perfectly secure.
- The providers notably have premium tools which will guarantee the security of your data by fighting ransomware in particular.
The productivity
To use your own infrastructure, it is necessary to work directly on the hardware or take care of maintenance… which takes a lot of time!
A large part of these tasks will no longer require intervention and the time saved can be used wisely?
The different types of cloud
The public cloud:
- A third-party provider outsources the infrastructure.
- IT resources are open to all and shared. This means that your data is hosted on different servers to which access is public.
- One of the best examples is that of the Facebook cloud (access to a public cloud by entering a log-in and a password)
The private cloud:
- Under this model, your private servers will manage all of your data for all company users. This makes it possible to respond to legal constraints, security needs or a desire to maintain control of its technical infrastructure.
- Internally (administered by the company) or externally (administered by a third-party service provider)
Hybrid cloud:
It is a mix between private cloud and public cloud which is mainly aimed at large companies.
The user will, for example, use the services of a public cloud to carry out their non-sensitive operations while using their private cloud for the rest of the operations.
The cloud is also structured around the following 3 models:
Infrastructure as a service (IaaS):
The cloud provider provides the entire infrastructure, i.e. servers, network and storage. It is mainly used by IT operators who want to maintain control of operations.
Platform as a Service (PaaS):
This model includes, in addition to the infrastructure, integrated components and software such as database management or operating systems. In this model, interesting for developers, the company can focus on application development!
Software as a Service (SaaS):
This model is the most complete and probably the best known. It provides, in addition to the infrastructure and integrated software, applications that are hosted directly on the cloud.
Also Read: How The Cloud Supports Modern Businesses