We’ve all heard of it. The cloud. But what exactly is it?
In the easiest terms, cloud computing means storing and accessing data programs over the internet, instead of your computer’s hard drive.
When you store data or run programs from the hard drive, this is local storage and computing. Everything you work on is stored exclusively on the hard drive and cannot be accessed from any other device.
The term “cloud computing” does not refer exclusively to one specific thing. There are usually three models of cloud service under consideration; Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS).
So what exactly do each of these mean?
Software as a Service (SaaS)
Cloud-based apps are also known as Software as a Service. This means they run on a distant computer “in the cloud” and are owned and operated by others that connect to users’ computers via the internet.
This allows for instant use for innovative business applications with the ability to access these apps and data from any connected computer.
In the event that your computer was stolen or damaged you wouldn’t need to worry as no data is actually stored on the laptops hard drive.
Platform as a Service (PaaS)
Platform as a service provides a cloud-based environment with everything required to support the building and delivery of cloud applications- without the cost and complexity of buying and managing hardware, software, provisioning and hosting.
This means you can develop and deploy applications faster with reduced complexity.
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
Infrastructure as a service provides companies with computing resources including servers, networking, storage and data centre space on a pay-per-use basis.
With IaaS there is no need to invest in your own hardware with the added advantage of scalability depending on your workloads.
THE DIFFERENT CLOUDS
Private Cloud
A private cloud is an infrastructure operated solely for a single organisation, whether managed and hosted internally or by a third party. Private clouds provide more control of resources.
Public Cloud
Public clouds are owned and operated by companies that offer easy access over a public network to affordable computing resources. With public cloud services, users don’t need to purchase hardware, software or supporting infrastructure, which is owned and managed by providers.
Hybrid Cloud
A hybrid cloud uses a private cloud foundation combined with the strategic integration and use of public cloud services. The reality is, a private cloud can’t exist in isolation from the rest of a company’s IT resources and the public cloud. Most companies will evolve to manage workloads across data centres, private clouds, and public clouds – thereby creating hybrid clouds.
Cloud-based computing is the future, make sure you don’t get left behind. Contact us today.
