Cloud computing basics: Everything you need to know

Cloud computing basics: Everything you need to know

What comes into your mind when you hear the word cloud?

To the layman, it probably means the masses of water vapor floating in the sky that produce rain. However, in the field of tech, cloud computing is the method of storing and accessing data and software programs over the internet.

How it works

In the traditional setting, your business owns data centers and servers that manage all your applications, files, operating systems (OSs), and more. But with cloud computing, your business doesn’t own the said infrastructure. Instead, your infrastructure is owned and operated by a third party, more specifically, a cloud provider such as Amazon, IBM, or VMware.

Cloud computing models

When considering the cloud for your application or infrastructure deployment, it’s a good idea to know the difference between the available cloud solutions. Let’s take a look at some of them:

  1. Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS)
  2. IaaS gives users access to storage, networking, servers, and other computing resources via the cloud. In other words, your entire IT infrastructure is hosted on the internet.

    While the business is still responsible for managing all applications, files, and operating systems, IaaS provides better control and flexibility than hosting your infrastructure in-house as solutions are on demand and services can be integrated and removed as needed. Examples include Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform.

  3. Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS)
  4. Mainly geared towards developers and operations professionals, PaaS is a service that rents out cloud-based platforms for users to develop their applications on. This is useful for those that want to easily build, customize, and deploy applications within the workplace without the need to spend a fortune. Examples of PaaS include MySQL, Oracle, and Tomcat.

  5. Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)
  6. SaaS are applications hosted, packaged, and delivered by a third party through the internet and accessible via a web browser. This technology eliminates the need to install and run software applications on a PC. Software can be accessed anytime from any internet-connected device. Examples include email services like Outlook and Gmail, Office 365, Google Apps, and enterprise messaging apps such as Slack and Microsoft Teams.

Cloud environment

There are three main cloud computing options for businesses: public, private, and hybrid. Each environment has its own set of advantages and disadvantages, which will vary according to a firm’s needs. Let’s take a look at their differences:

  1. Public cloud
  2. The public cloud is ideal for small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) because of its scalability, allowing for changes to processing power, storage capacity, and user account settings at any time. Your data and software are stored in a third-party data center maintained by the cloud provider.

  3. Private cloud
  4. You get a dedicated infrastructure managed by either an in-house IT team or a cloud service provider (CSP). The private cloud gives you better control of how data is managed and secured because your information is stored in your own dedicated infrastructure.

  5. Hybrid cloud
  6. The hybrid cloud is a combination of public and private cloud environments working together for your infrastructure. In this environment, businesses can have mission-critical applications and data stored in the private cloud for security, while power-demanding applications can run in the public cloud.

Benefits of using the cloud

According to market research firm Gartner, 28% of spending in key IT segments will be affected by the shift to the cloud by 2022. With technology rapidly advancing, it’s no secret that businesses of all sizes are embracing the cloud. Here are a few reasons why:

  1. Cost-effective
  2. Because the cloud adopts a pay-as-you-go model, companies will only have to pay for what they use. This is especially helpful for small organizations who can’t afford to build and manage their own IT infrastructures. With the cloud, you get more for less, translating to bigger revenue over time.

  3. Reliable
  4. Most CSPs offer 99.9% uptime and 24/7/365 support, so downtime is virtually impossible, compared to using an in-house IT infrastructure. Additionally, providers backup files in multiple servers around the world, so even if one becomes unavailable, there will still be an accessible copy.

  5. Accessible
  6. The cloud is accessible on demand on any internet-connected device. This makes it possible to access data using a personal or company-provided laptop, tablet, or smartphone.

  7. Scalable
  8. The cloud can pool resources such as computing power, storage, memory, and network bandwidth depending on business demands. These resources have the ability to absorb increases and decreases in demand without quality degradations or service interruptions.

It’s time for your business to embrace the cloud. Here at Binatech, we make it easy for you to have a secure and expertly managed data center without the costs of purchasing your own equipment. The best part? Our solutions are tailor-made to your needs. Call us today for more information.