Cloud Services
Cloud computing is an innovative technology that delivers computing services such as networking, storage, servers, databases, software intelligence and analytics via the internet. The infrastructure around cloud computing is technically designed to provide faster innovation, economies of scale, and flexibility of resources. Cloud computing offers three primary services that cater to the various client needs namely; software as a service (SaaS), infrastructure as a service (IaaS), and platform as a service (PaaS). These services range from the most basic category IaaS to the most technical solutions provided in SaaS. Clouds are also divided into three main models, public clouds, private clouds, and hybrid clouds, that offer solutions that cater to an array of cloud service needs.
Implementation of cloud computing services in businesses has been guaranteed to increase overall profit margins, improve the quality of customer service, and ensure the efficient and seamless running of organizational operations. The most notable benefit of cloud computing is the cost savings it provides. By eliminating the need to purchase the necessary hardware and software equipment, cloud computing alleviates the burden of setup and maintenance costs. It also allows users to pay only for the services they require, which assists in managing operational costs. Cloud services also ensure improved performance because of reduced network latency and reliability due to automatic backups and disaster recovery strategies. Resources in cloud services enable businesses to elastically scale to global levels. Scaling is immensely enabled by the ability of cloud services to provide flexibility at high speeds. Clouds are considered very secure because of their comprehensive set of policies and technologies that govern and maintain security.
Businesses depending on Cloud services cannot operate in remote locations regardless of the market or resource potential. Its dependence on a stable network connection limits the mobility of a business. While security has always been a significant marketing feature for Cloud service providers, instances of hacks and data theft have been reported nonetheless. To ensure complete safety, businesses may have to utilize traditional backup methods as well. Although rare, downtime is a severe problem with Cloud services that could significantly dent a company’s reputation and its revenue. Therefore, users must prefer Cloud providers that offer 24/7 technical support.