Cloud computing is the on-demand delivery of IT resources over the internet with pay-as-you-go pricing. You can access technology services such as computing power, storage, and databases instead of maintaining costly physical data centers and servers. You typically only pay for the cloud services you use, reducing your operating costs and helping your infrastructure run more efficiently. You can also scale up or down as your business needs change.
Who Uses Cloud Computing?
Organizations of every size, type, and industry work within the cloud for a wide variety of use cases, including software development and testing, data storage and backup, disaster recovery, customer-facing web applications, and more. For example, if you’re a healthcare company, you might use the cloud to develop more personalized treatments for patients. If you provide financial services, the cloud can help you with real-time detection and prevention. Cloud computing solutions are highly customizable, based on your organization’s specific goals and objectives.
Types of Cloud Computing
There are four main types of cloud computing and each has its own advantages and unique technologies.
Public
With a public cloud, a third-party cloud service provider delivers cloud computing over the internet. Public cloud services are sold on demand, typically by the minute or hour, though long-term solutions are available for many services. Leading public cloud providers include Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform, IBM, and Microsoft Azure.
Private
With a private cloud, an organization builds and maintains its underlying cloud infrastructure. This model offers the versatility and convenience of the cloud while preserving the management, control, and security common to local data centers. Some companies also pay a third-party service provider to host their private cloud.
Hybrid
Public cloud services and an on-premise private cloud are combined in a hybrid cloud model. They are linked by technology, which enables data and applications to be shared between them. The goal is to create a unified, automated, and scalable environment that takes advantage of public cloud infrastructure while maintaining control of mission-critical data.
Multi-Cloud
Organizations are increasingly embracing a multi-cloud model or the use of multiple IaaS providers. Multi-clouds enable applications to migrate between different cloud providers or to operate concurrently across two or more cloud providers. They offer improved security and performance through an expanded portfolio of environments.
Cloud Computing Services
Cloud services are infrastructure, platforms, or software that are hosted by third-party providers and made available through the internet. There are three main types of as-a-Service solutions:
Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS)
IaaS is the most basic category of cloud computing services. With IaaS, businesses can rent infrastructure — servers and virtual machines (VMs), storage, networks, operating systems — on a pay-per-use basis. The user manages the operating system, apps, and middleware while the cloud service provider takes care of hardware, networking, hard drives, data storage, and servers.Â
Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS)
PaaS removes the need to manage the underlying infrastructure and gives users a shared cloud platform for application development and management. This service helps you be more efficient as you don’t have to worry about resource procurement, capacity planning, software maintenance, patching, or any other heavy lifting involved in running your application.
Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)
SaaS is a method of delivering software over the internet, typically on a subscription basis. Users can access SaaS applications and services from any location using an internet-connected computer or mobile device. Cloud providers host and manage the software and handle any maintenance, like upgrades or security patching. As the user, you only need to think about how you will use that particular software.
Expert Cloud Computing Technology at Mindcore
Mindcore offers cloud-based services in New Jersey and Florida, allowing you to access and store your applications and data through high-quality cloud computing technology. Our team of experienced cloud consultants will handle everything from maintenance to cloud security so you can work as efficiently as possible. Contact us to learn more about our full range of services or to schedule a consultation today.
