Benefits of Cloud Computing for Business

Cloud solutions are used in many service areas, from virtual infrastructure to enterprise software. With their help, employees can access information from anywhere in the world. All they need is access to the Internet. Previously, this could only be implemented at the office, at the workplace. These online services have found wide application in software development, in projects implemented based on the Internet of Things, in the process of analyzing large volumes of data, in many other highly specialized works, including those using artificial intelligence.

The demand for Cloud Computing is growing at an accelerated rate. Thus, according to the research of the analytical agency Gartner, already this year, the global market for such services has exceeded $300 billion, which is $40 billion more than last year and $40 billion more than in 2019. Today’s advanced technologies have become a kind of catalyst for business innovation, forcing IT departments of companies to gradually adapt business operations to cloud capabilities with proper cloud testing. You can learn more about this on https://qawerk.com/process/cloud-testing/. Today, more than half of international organizations have already switched to a comprehensive cloud strategy, and local infrastructure is also developing at the expense of Internet resources.

So, what is cloud computing, what types and models is it? What are their benefits, and what can they do for business? Why are they the future? Let’s try to find answers to these questions.

What is cloud computing?

Cloud computing is the provision of computing resources via the Internet at the request of the user. Resources can include services, information networks, databases, and software. Cloud computing companies distribute resources to individual customers, allocating to each customer a complete set of services and capacities that can be scaled up as needed. 

The user working with the cloud will be able to personally assess the financial benefits of their use:

•       No capital costs. You don’t need your own equipment or premises. It will only be enough to have a PC or a gadget with Internet access.
•       Fees for services are charged only upon application. It is set for the volume of resources consumed or for the capacity used.
•       If necessary, the number of resources required can be increased and decreased by adjusting it to your capabilities. No equipment will go to waste.

Business owners no longer have to spend money and time maintaining previously established computer networks with cloud services. Effort can be concentrated on more important tasks.

Cloud server models

Today, cloud computing services are provided on three types of online services:

•       SaaS. Software is provided as a service from a cloud solution provider. It involves storing the customer’s application on its own facilities. The customer gets access to data via the Internet, without physical contact, without spending money to maintain their own infrastructure. Fees depend on the amount of space used. Refreshed automatically, there is a function of scaling, adding, and removing options. Suitable for a variety of tasks: supply chain management, enterprise planning, ERP purchasing, etc.
•    PaaS. Here the platform is provided as a service. The customer gets access to the storage and development tools needed to create computer and mobile applications. They are managed without additional investments in infrastructure development. The developer stores the middleware and infrastructure components and is connected to them via a web browser. Suitable for chatbots, artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, blockchain, system management, etc.
•       IaaS. Infrastructure is provided as a service. The customer receives online access to infrastructure services. Analysts can perform work in the cloud and are responsible for security, installation, configuration, operation, maintenance of database software, application software, middleware. Will be able to control each of the processes. It is only the vendor’s responsibility to provide bandwidth on demand and maintain the stability of the system.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach for every business. The main task of the user of the online service is to navigate through the options offered and choose the one that best fits the specifics of a particular business.

Reliability of solutions: it is much higher than in local networks, which is due to the use of fast, professional equipment, the conditions of the data center, a convenient interface, and information security tools.

Also among the advantages of cloud computing is the ability to set up backups to remote storage. This provides a high level of business protection.

What can cloud technology do for business?

Professional application of cloud technologies in practice – the key to the high efficiency of each company department, regardless of their number and specific activities. Business benefits from the introduction of cloud services are significant:

•       For the sales and marketing department. From any device, specialists will have access to the information they need, react instantly to problems, make changes, and delete unnecessary information. As a result, business decisions are optimized, and sales improve. The system helps analyze data in detail, predict customer behavior, and develop marketing strategies.
•       For the human resources department. The workflow is optimized, interaction with other departments is improved, and hiring and firing employees is simplified. With the help of cloud technologies, training and professional development can be carried out in a convenient format and on the job.
•       For customer service. Customers will have the option of self-service, which will reduce the load on operators. The database will be centralized and will be able to store complete sales history. All operational solutions for the interaction of the parties (seller/customer) will be unified.

These are just general points. In practice, any company, especially a large one, will have something to add to the list of benefits of implementing cloud-based corporate IT systems.

How to move to the cloud: recommendations for business

Today, the question of whether to move to the cloud or stay on the classical, well-studied local networks, many businesses are pondering. Some have created private clouds managed by their own IT department, but the infrastructure and corporate applications have remained local. Many are hesitant to make drastic changes, not understanding how to migrate existing assets to the cloud. Others are not confident that public resources can meet their company’s needs.

The safest and the most effective way to the cloud is professional help from those who are thoroughly familiar with the features of such systems. This is the only way to go online with minimal IT upgrades and preserve the investments made in conventional tools.