Cloud computing is the collective name for the delivery of computing resources across the internet. Businesses using cloud technology benefit from the experience and flexibility of providers, saving time and money while increasing their IT resource options.

“The cloud” dates back to the 1960s. Early research focussed on supplying valuable processing power to more than two users at once. Advances continued into the 1990s when virtualisation and cloud computing infrastructure began to open up exciting possibilities to everyday users.

Since then, the cloud has developed into a service that transforms business workloads. This blog explores the many advantages of cloud computing.

Cost savings
Security
Flexibility
Scalability
Rapid deployment
Mobility
Disaster recovery
Reliability
Collaboration
Forward-thinking

What is cloud computing? Definition with examples

In simple terms, cloud computing is the supply of on-demand computing resources over the internet. Data and software are stored on remote servers, allowing access from anywhere with an internet connection. This removes the need for traditional on-premises IT infrastructure and enables users to benefit from the expertise, capabilities, and flexibility of a cloud service provider.

Cloud computing is evident in services like Google Drive for storing files, Netflix for streaming movies, Gmail for email access, and Facebook for social media interactions. These examples demonstrate cloud computing's role in providing easy access to data and services over the internet.

What are the types of cloud computing services?

While there are many cloud computing services, three major services make up the majority. Their different offerings allow companies to move workloads to the cloud based on their own requirements.

Software as a Service (SaaS)

Software as a service (SaaS) hosts software on cloud servers, giving customers access over the internet. SaaS is a suitable cloud computing model for companies looking for easy access, fast deployment, and ready-built software. SaaS tools are typically offered on a subscription basis.

Platform as a Service (PaaS)

Platform as a service (PaaS) provides hardware and essential software for users in a cloud environment. Often, PaaS services deliver the basics needed to develop other software or media. As such, it is typically suitable for developers, startups, and users building their own apps.

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) gives users access to hardware resources over the internet. These resources include cloud storage, networking, and compute power, allowing companies to use cloud infrastructure to create bespoke business solutions. Leading IaaS providers include Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure.

Benefits and advantages of cloud computing

No matter the size of the business, cloud computing advantages bring the potential to transform workloads, increasing efficiency and productivity.

1. Cost Savings

Migrating to the cloud means less money spent up front on costly IT equipment. Likewise, technical benefits of cloud computing include the reduction of ongoing maintenance costs, IT personnel time, and rolling out upgrades.

Instead, clients take advantage of the buying power and expertise of cloud providers. This leads to substantial cost savings – 80 per cent of IT teams saved money after moving to the cloud.

2. Security

Data security is critical to business success, especially when storing sensitive information. Cloud services offer peace of mind through advanced security measures. They run state-of-the-art encryption, authentication, and security patches. Physical security is likewise improved, with data centres secured by several layers of protection.

3. Flexibility

One of the most compelling benefits of cloud computing is its flexibility. Users select their providers, compute resources, storage space, and environments. This flexibility releases clients to create their ideal cloud setup.

4. Scalability

Cloud environments are infinitely scalable. Companies can increase or decrease their bandwidth to cope with varying demands. Likewise, the scalability of cloud computing for businesses means cloud infrastructure grows seamlessly with your operation – never holding you back.

5. Rapid Deployment

The rapid availability of cloud services gives users endless possibilities. New resources can be created and launched instantly, while developers can build and test without hardware constraints. This helps companies stay agile in a fast-moving world.

6. Mobility

Cloud hosting allows users to access data from anywhere with an internet connection. In the age of smartphones, businesses can also offer their employees mobile solutions. Instead of being limited by local server access, companies can work from anywhere in the world – creating endless recruitment and growth opportunities.

7. Disaster recovery

Cloud environments can deploy across several data center locations. If one server suffers downtime, services continue uninterrupted across other resources. Meanwhile, extensive cloud data storage options allow easy rollback of versions, backup recovery, and business continuity in the case of natural disasters.

8. Reliability

Downtime comes at a high cost – both financially and reputationally. Outages can drive customers away, cause lost revenue, and incur significant IT costs to repair. In a fully resilient multi-cloud environment, multiple resources help ensure business-critical uptime.

9. Collaboration

With remote teams and increased mobility, collaboration is crucial. Cloud services allow users to work on tasks together, accessing on-demand software and resources to get the job done without being in the same location.

10. Forward-thinking

The myriad benefits of cloud computing grant companies a substantial competitive edge. Businesses are freed from physical IT infrastructure, reducing costs and maintenance time while increasing mobility and flexibility.

At Digital Realty, our data centers give our clients the freedom to build their perfect cloud environment. A range of data center locations and carrier-free solutions allow you to choose a provider that fits your needs, helping your business reap the advantages of cloud computing. Read our blogs or contact us for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about cloud computing

What are the 6 advantages of cloud computing?

Cloud computing brings many advantages, including cost-savings, scalability and flexibility. Specifically, the six advantages of cloud computing are defined as:

Variable expenses instead of fixed expenses
Benefitting from the extensive buying power of large cloud providers
The scalability of computing resource
Increased deployment speed
Reduced IT costs
Rapid worldwide deployment.

What are the 3 cloud computing services?

There are 3 major types of cloud computing services:

Software as a Service (SaaS)
Platform as a Service (PaaS)
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS).

These services bring different benefits to specific workloads.

What is cloud computing services with an example?

Cloud computing services include SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS platforms. IaaS services contain many compute resources, file storage, and networking options. PaaS, like Google App Engine, gives developers the tools they need to build and test new tools. SaaS cloud solutions, like Slack, provide users access to software from anywhere in the world.

How does cloud computing work in real life?

Cloud computing allows users to deploy a range of computing resources over the internet. These resources include servers, storage, and networking options – freeing the user from physical IT infrastructure and enabling the use of cutting-edge technology.

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