Cloud solutions has become an IT buzzword in recent years, popping up seemingly everywhere. Microsoft, Amazon, Dropbox and Google for example all offer cloud solutions but do you know what a cloud solution is and what benefits it may have for your business?
In this blog, we’re going to learn what the cloud is, what cloud solutions there are and how it can benefit your business. Thinking about moving to the cloud but not sure why? This blog is for you!
Our Engineers are able to advise your business on the cloud solution that will work best for you – saving you time and money. Get in touch with us at ECS Computers today.
What is the cloud?
- Simply put the cloud is when you access data that is not stored on your local device (e.g. your phone or PC’s storage). That data is stored in large data centres, owned by the company who’s service you’re using or a larger supplier (such as Amazon, Microsoft or Google) – making it ‘stored in the cloud’.
- This means you can make use of the cloud without having to make a significant hardware investment – all you have to do is have a subscription to a supplier to rent a certain service or amount of space. Therefore cloud solutions allow you to avoid having to pay a lump sum a piece of equipment and instead spread the cost on a month by month basis.
What sort of solutions can it provide?
There are 3 main different services that cloud products are grouped into.
Software as a service (SaaS)
- This type of cloud solution is software that run on cloud infrastructure, that can be accessed by a user remotely.
- Web based email providers, CRMs, Microsoft Office 365 Online and more are examples of SaaS platforms.
- Examples: Dropbox, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Skype, WordPress.
Infrastructure as a service (IaaS)
- This type of cloud solution is also known as cloud infrastructure services and recreates something that traditionally may have been a physical piece of hardware.
- Cloud based servers, virtual machines, and cloud storage all fall under the IaaS label.
- Uptime with cloud based server? More powerful and bigger data centres
- Examples: Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services (AWS).
Platform as a service (PaaS)
- This is a cloud solution where you are provided with an environment to develop, host and deploy a host of different applications. This once again means a developer would not have to invest in the physical hardware and infrastructure, once again saving cost and time.
- For example you can set up your own web server or a database or an ecommerce site, which you and others can access. Here you create the interface but the PaaS provider stores it for you.
- Microsoft Azure and AWS also offer PaaS solutions.
What are some of the benefits of cloud solutions?
Ease of use and access
- By storing things in the cloud or utilising a cloud solutions means you can access it anytime you want. You don’t need without needing a specific amount of storage, a high performance machine or brand new server. You can access it at anytime with ease.
Reliability
- Utilising a cloud solution is also much more reliable. Data centres like the ones maintained by Microsoft Azure or Amazon Web Services have contingency plans and have very little downtime. Much more reliable than internal hardware systems.
Cost efficiency
- By using IaaS and PaaS, users don’t need to pay large, upfront hardware expenses. You only pay for what you use, and you’ll never have to over purchase to prepare.
Flexibility and scalability
- By only paying for what you need, this means that if you sudden need more storage or capacity, you can get it easy as that! If your business is growing and you need more server space or more virtual machines, you can add them to your subscription with ease. And the reverse is also true – for example if a team member leaves, you can easily reduce the amount of storage needed.
Remote working benefits
- Making use of a cloud solution means your workspace can be accessed anywhere with an internet connection – perfect for working from home.
Our Engineers are able to advise your business on the cloud solution that will work best for you – saving you time and money. Get in touch with us at ECS Computers today.