The Beginner’s Guide to Cloud Services 

In layman terms, Cloud Services includes storage, servers, databases, networking, analytics, and intelligence delivered over the internet – which is commonly referred to as “The Cloud”. With the help of cloud services, you can look forward to faster innovation, flexible resources, and economies of scale.  

Here are the top benefits of using Cloud Services –  

With the pandemic driving companies into innovation, moving from traditional ways of business to a smarter and global approach with the help of Cloud Services, here are the common factors that affect the reasons why you would consider cloud services – 

1. Reliability –
   In traditional ways, if there was a loss in data then it is nearly impossible to recover but with cloud computing – data backup, disaster recovery, and business continuity are made easier and less expensive as data can be mirrored at multiple redundant sites on cloud provider’s network.  
2. Performance –
   Upgrading to newer technology can be a task for organizations in the traditional setting, with the help of cloud services that have a worldwide network of data centers, there is regular up-gradation to the latest generation of fast and efficient computing solutions.
3. Cost –  
   The need for capital investments into buying expensive hardware, software and setting up and running on-site data centers – servers, electricity, and power, and the IT experts managing the infrastructure are all minimized. The cloud allows the company to minimize capital expenditures.  
4. Security – 
   The cloud computing service providers have extensive policies, controls, and technologies that will help strengthen the protection of your data, applications, and infrastructure from potential threats.
5. Speed –  
   With the availability of vast computing resources that can be accessed in under minutes, making resources just a few clicks away – gives businesses more flexibility and also results in less capacity planning.  

As we understand the advantages that Cloud services offer us, it is also important to understand that there are different types of cloud services available and that there is no one type that can be right for everyone. There are several types of services that have evolved over time to offer the right solutions for your needs.  

There are three different ways that cloud services can be deployed –  

• Public Cloud:  
  The public clouds are the ones like the name suggested owned and operated by a third-party cloud service provider. The third-party will deliver on the computing resources like servers and the storage over the internet. All the hardware, software, and other required infrastructure is owned and managed by the cloud provider. The services can be accessed and managed through the company’s account using a web browser. 
• Private Cloud: 
  As the name suggests it is a platform that is solely owned by a single organization or business. The cloud can be located on the company’s on-site data center, or they can also avail the service of a third-party service provider who can host their private cloud. The services and infrastructure on the private cloud is maintained on a private network.
• Hybrid Cloud: 
  It is a combination of the public and private clouds; it is connected by technology wherein data and applications are allowed to be shared between them. The hybrid cloud gives the business more deployment options, better flexibility, and helps in the optimization of the infrastructure, compliance, and security. 

In our day-to-day lives, we are probably using cloud computing, without even realizing it. For example: Watching a movie on OTT platforms, listening to music on your favorite apps, playing games over the internet, storage of photos on your drive are all ways you are using the cloud without realizing you are using the cloud.  

Here are some of the examples of what is possible with cloud services:  

• Build cloud-native applications that are easily built, deployed, and scaled. It can be web or mobile or API based applications. 
• The cost of application development is reduced by using the cloud, as it can be easily scaled up or down depending on the needs of the business. 
• Data can be protected more efficiently, as it is transferred over the internet making it accessible from any location and any device.  
• Cloud services use ML and AI to uncover insights that will allow for better and more informed decisions.  
• The cloud also allows for the latest software versions and their updates to be accessible to the business at any time and anywhere.  

Moving from on-premises to cloud is something many of you are debating, here are a few benefits that will help you and your business in understanding the benefits of shifting to the cloud –  

• The cloud provides the business with scalability while reducing the need for physical data storage – resulting in cost savings.  
• It allows for getter connectivity between users no matter where they work from, they can access information and the infrastructure from anywhere at any time. Which results in a reduced risk of saving files on any computer.  
• The files that are saved on the cloud are backed up and have more security reducing the risk of cybersecurity issues.  
• Cloud-based services can be deployed faster.  
• Cloud based services allow for better collaboration between users – making it easier to sync-up, work together, share documents and records in real time. 

 Moving from On-premise to Cloud does not have to be too complicated. It allows for reduced costs, better flexibility, better productivity are too lucrative to ignore. All your concerns after reading this or considering the cloud is valid – allow our team at Novigo Solutions take you through our Cloud services and how it can benefit you in real time. Connect with us today - https://www.novigosolutions.com/cloud-services