Practically every business on the planet understands that the rapid adoption of technology is vital. Computing via the cloud allows companies to ramp up quickly. They can do this because outside vendors provide things like software, operating systems, hardware, and networking.
When computing gets farmed out to third-party vendors, these providers can take on vital work like capacity planning, maintenance, and procurement, leaving an internal IT department to focus on the critical elements of a company’s technological needs. There are many computing systems in the cloud and many ways to deploy the systems. Some of the top systems most people are aware of include Amazon Web Service, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure.
The Three Different Types of Cloud Systems a Company Can Employ
Probably the most well-known form of cloud computing is Software as a Service or SaaS. This software delivery model is one where the software gets served over the internet based on some form of licensing or subscription. Examples of these computing solutions include office tools, calendaring apps, accounting software, payment gateways, reservation applications, and online learning portals.
In this type of system, the software in question gets maintained entirely by the provider. This maintenance includes all of the infrastructure, app data, and middleware that has a location in the provider’s data center. This type of solution offers companies a way to quickly set up and then access software with someone else maintaining the software, all at a very minimal upfront cost.
One of the best benefits to companies of using this type of system is that it offers access to quite advanced apps such as customer relationship management software at a very affordable rate without them having to build an expensive custom solution on their own. The other benefit of being in the cloud is that if one piece of hardware goes down at the company, such as a mobile device or desktop computer, there is little to no chance of losing valuable data.
Companies continue to tap more and more into the internet for so many of their business needs, and the demand for the fundamental blocks of this usage has grown exponentially. This growth includes items like data storage, networking capability, and servers. Infrastructure as a Service or IaaS gives companies access to an expanded infrastructure for their business computer leads.
One of the best features for a company of this type of system is the ability to scale it up or down based on their needs, thus letting them work as efficiently as possible. The other substantial benefit to a company of this type of system is that it allows them to avoid purchasing vast amounts of servers and networking equipment and then housing all that equipment on site.
The cloud system’s final piece is Platform as a Service or PaaS. This system lets companies build web applications from start to finish. Companies can build, test, and then deploy their applications on the system in one place.
Once the application gets built, this system also allows a company to manage and even update the application as needed. When fewer resources must get put into hardware to build applications, it allows companies the flexibility to move much more quickly from the development stage into the sales stage.
Some of the other advantages of this type of system include less time spent coding for developers and the ability to create new apps without necessarily having to add new staff or support teams spread out in different geographic areas. With the ability to access sophisticated and complex tools, applications can get created for multiple platforms in a much more efficient and timely manner.
Because computing in the cloud covers so many different disciplines, marketplaces, and technologies, this type of system benefits businesses no matter their size or field of endeavor. The added benefit to all businesses is substantially lower upfront costs paired with an ability to access a wide variety of products and services quickly.
