Cloud computing consists in delivering services over an Internet connection. End users are therefore able to access software and applications wherever they are.
Cloud computing is a technology that enables the provision of computing services over the Internet: customers who utilize this technology can thus be granted access to software and data hosted on remote servers, without having to install applications on their internal systems.
In other words, computer programs that customers will use are hosted by external servers, in the cloud: their users no longer have to worry about managing technical aspects such as storage or system power, being able to simply use what they need, when they need it.
The operation of cloud computing is based on the premise that primary processing activities occur on remote machines rather than locally. Thus, when a user accesses an application or service in the cloud, inputs are channeled to a remote server (cloud server) rather than individual computers, which can free up memory and processing power.
In essence, the user's device won't have to work intensively, considering that most processing activities occur on external servers.
The benefits of Cloud Computing, as we will see, do not end here: users will be able to access services from anywhere, as long as they have an Internet connection, using credentials provided by the cloud computing service provider.
Companies can choose from various cloud options, including public cloud, private cloud, and a combination of the two, thus creating a hybrid model. In the public cloud, cloud servers are owned by third-party providers such as Google or Salesforce. In the private cloud, on the other hand, cloud servers are hosted internally by the company and require access through specific platforms or accounts. Understandably, the hybrid cloud is an integrated synthesis of the characteristics of the two aforementioned types.
With the aforementioned specifics, Cloud Computing has revolutionized how companies manage their online activities, offering numerous advantages over traditional on-premises computing systems. Here are some of the key benefits for businesses.
One of the main features of Cloud Computing is the ability to quickly implement new applications or services. Companies can subscribe to a cloud application and start using it immediately, without having to go through lengthy installation and configuration processes: companies can enjoy greater agility, responding immediately to changing market demands.
Cloud Computing offers the possibility of reducing operational costs, often significantly.
Companies can avoid investing in expensive hardware and IT infrastructure. Instead, they can pay only for the actual usage of services in the cloud, without facing high initial expenses.
Additionally, Cloud Computing allows for reducing or eliminating the costs of maintaining their systems, as well as those related to updating and patching applications.
Another characteristic is its ability to scale quickly and efficiently. In other words, with Cloud Computing, companies can easily increase or decrease IT resources according to their needs, in real-time.
For example, if a company experiences a spike in traffic on its website, it can easily increase server capacity to handle the additional load, solving the problem of underutilized or over-provisioned resources and allowing for the optimization of their IT infrastructure.
One of the major advantages of Cloud Computing is also the ability to access services from anywhere, if there is a simple Internet connection.
For instance, employees within an organization can work flexibly and access the information and applications they need, regardless of their geographic location. A sales manager can access the CRM system from a mobile device during a meeting with a client, enabling more efficient customer relationship management.
Contrary to what one might think, Cloud Computing offers a higher level of security compared to storing data locally.
Cloud service providers implement rigorous security protocols to protect customer data: think of data encryption in transit and at rest, controlled and monitored access to cloud servers, and physical protection of data centers.
Moreover, Cloud Computing allows companies to protect data in case of device loss or theft, as data is securely stored in the cloud and can be easily accessed from authorized devices.
Cloud Computing simplifies the management of IT resources for companies, avoiding the complexity of having to manage the installation, configuration, and maintenance of on-premises IT systems.
In the business environment, Cloud Computing has been leveraging major changes and will be increasingly strategic for successful B2B relationships. That's why, to learn more, we invite all our readers to check out our technology solutions or contact our experts here.
Cloud computing consists in delivering services over an Internet connection. End users are therefore able to access software and applications wherever they are.
Cloud computing allows users to take advantage of on-demand services over the Internet. There is therefore no longer a need to procure, configure or manage infrastructure.
Some of the most famous public cloud computing services are Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, Amazon Web Services and IBM Cloud.
