Do you understand what Cloud Computing means?
by
You have heard everyone in your IT department go on and on about the cloud. Well, cloud computing is also known as the cloud. The cloud is an internet based platform for delivery of computing resources, on a pay for use basis.
Well now I know I haven’t even explained that. Let’s break it down;
You want to set up a data center, you will need to buy servers which will occupy a huge amount of space with time, you will need to also have to account for sitting space for the technical team to maintain the servers, all these are costs from everywhere and you end up frustrated.
Now you have the cloud, you get servers and you don’t have to worry about housing or maintenance of the servers everything comes packaged and you only have to worry about the work you need to get done.
The services are classified into;
- Software as a service (SaaS) – these are cloud based applications that connect to users’ computers via the internet and usually accessed through a web browser
- Platform as a service (PaaS) – cloud based environment for operations. This helps in reduction of the complexity of buying and managing the hardware, software, provisioning and etc. Example; saves you the cost of buying a laptop with certain hardware configurations for a given job.
- Infrastructure as a service (IaaS) – provides you with computing resources including servers, networking, storage and data center space on a pay per use basis. Saves you the trouble of buying physical servers.
Once you have identified how you need a cloud service it’s important to decide on which deployment you want to settle for. Cloud deployments are also classified into 3;
Public cloud – Services are delivered on a network open for public use. The customer cannot distinguish or control the location of the infrastructure. It is a better option for companies that host SaaS (Software as a Service) based applications and management of applications that are accessed by many users. They can provide the service for free or offer to give per user license policy for payments.
Private cloud – “Internal cloud” implemented on a cloud based secure environment governed by the IT of the particular company.
Hybrid cloud – A hybrid cloud uses a private cloud foundation combined with the strategic use of public cloud services. The reality is a private cloud can’t exist in isolation from the rest of a company’s IT resources and the public cloud.
And finally the big question your boss will ask is, “So… should we move to the cloud? “ Cloud service has made companies cut down costs while still getting better service than on premise deployments. So.. “Absolutely Yes”.
Becky Omoke
Business Intelligence Consultant
Pathways International Ltd.
