In the first of our new ‘byte-sized’ series, our IT experts give you a basic breakdown of the cloud, including all the need-to-know information and how cloud computing benefits a business.
Have you heard of the cloud? More importantly, do you know how the cloud works?
If you gave a confident ‘yes’ to the first question but struggled to answer the second, don’t worry – you aren’t alone.
Even in 2023, when many of us use cloud software in our day-to-day lives, the cloud remains a somewhat mystical entity that almost everyone has heard of but only a few can clearly explain what it actually is.
Let’s take a closer look at cloud computing and how the cloud works, as well as explore the wide range of benefits that come with introducing on-demand technology to your business.
Short on time? Here is a TL;DR summary for this byte-sized article on cloud computing:
- The cloud provides and delivers computing services online, which anyone with authorised access can view from any location.
- There are several different types of cloud platforms and the one that is most suited to you depends on your business needs.
- Cloud computing has a whole host of benefits for your business, including on-demand access, increased security for your data, disaster recovery for when things go wrong and streamlined working processes in a hybrid workplace.
- If you want more easy-to-digest information and support on how cloud computing could help your business, get in touch – we are always happy to help!
What is cloud computing?
‘Cloud computing’ involves storing and delivering computing resources, services and applications through a centralised space on the internet, better known as ‘the cloud’. Everything stored in the cloud can be accessed remotely by authorised users and devices at any time and from any location.
What is a cloud platform?
A cloud platform refers to the sophisticated infrastructure that underpins cloud computing. Cloud platforms provide a construction toolkit that allows users to build, manage and deploy apps and services in the cloud.
How do cloud platforms work?
Every cloud platform is built on a sophisticated infrastructure of servers, storage systems and networking components, all strategically spread across multiple locations known as ‘data centres’ to keep your cloud online and accessible. The platform is then hosted and managed by a cloud provider (such as Infuse Technology).
What are the different types of cloud platform?
The type of cloud platform you use matters and the platform you choose will depend on your business needs. Whether you’re looking for convenience, flexibility or exclusive access for your company, here are some of the most popular types of cloud platforms:
- Private Cloud: This type of cloud platform is used by just one company on a private network. You can keep a private cloud in your own data centres or access it through a service provider.
This type of cloud platform is all about privacy, security and control, as the platform exclusively serves your company.
- Public Cloud: In the public cloud, multiple companies share one cloud made by the same external provider. It’s essentially like renting, where the provider takes care of all the maintenance and administration of the online space while you simply use it.
This type of cloud platform is the most convenient and hassle-free option, however it lacks the enhanced security that many businesses need and a private cloud could provide.
- Hybrid Cloud: As the name suggests, a hybrid cloud platform offers the benefits of both private and public clouds.
This type of cloud platform gives you more flexibility, allowing you to choose between storing each of your files, apps or services on a private or public cloud.
- Multi-Cloud: With a multi-cloud strategy, you aren’t limited to just one cloud provider. Instead, you can tap into multiple clouds that are hosted and managed by different providers to cover all your business needs.
A multi-cloud strategy to cloud computing allows you to pick and choose the different services you want to use, but managing multiple clouds and multiple cloud providers can quickly become complicated and challenging.
How can cloud computing benefit your business?
In today’s digitally-driven business world, cloud computing offers a range of benefits for businesses of all types and sizes.
Scalability: One of the biggest advantages of a cloud platform is its scalability. Companies can easily scale their resources up or down based on their needs. Whether it’s increasing storage capacity, amping up computing power or accommodating more users, cloud platforms offer the flexibility to expand your resources quickly.
Enhanced Collaboration: Collaborative working between co-workers is more essential than ever before now that the popularity of remote and hybrid working is increasing in organisations. With the cloud, your employees can access shared documents, files, and applications from anywhere at any time using any device. Multiple users can even work on the same document at the same time!
Data Security and Disaster Recovery: Cyber criminals are the sworn enemy of any business with an online presence. Cloud platforms offer robust data security measures to protect your valuable information, such as advanced security protocols like encryption, access controls and regular security updates.
Cloud platforms also provide automated backup and disaster recovery solutions, which means companies can swiftly recover files and resume operations with minimal downtime in the event of data loss or system failure.
Increased Flexibility and Mobility: Cloud platforms can liberate businesses and workforces from the constraints of traditional office setups. Thanks to the cloud, teammates can work remotely without compromising on collaboration and productivity. This flexibility enhances your team’s work-life balance and also presents the opportunity to tap into a global talent pool, widening your recruitment possibilities.
How to choose a cloud provider for your business
When it comes to choosing a cloud provider, it is important to understand that not all cloud platforms are equal and not all providers offer the same level of service. The right cloud provider can transform your workforce, but what makes a ‘good’ cloud provider?
As IT experts, we recommend prioritising three factors when evaluating whether a cloud provider is right for you: security, flexibility and compatibility.
Security – The security measures that come with a cloud platform should be your number one priority. Robust data encryption, access controls and compliance certifications are all green flags for solid protection of your sensitive information. It is also essential to look at the data backup and disaster recovery capabilities to make sure your business’ data stays safe when things go wrong.
Flexibility – Evaluate the flexibility of the cloud platform. As your business grows, your business needs will change and so will your cloud requirements. Can the cloud provider accommodate increased storage requirements or fluctuating computing resources? Look out for providers that can quickly adjust resources based on demand to allow your business the freedom of scaling up or down as required.
Compatibility – You need to make sure that a cloud platform is compatible with your existing systems and applications before you invest in it. Consider the availability of APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) and support for industry standards, enabling easy integration with other software and services your business relies on.
If you’re interested in finding out more about the cloud and how cloud computing could benefit your business, get in touch with our friendly team of IT experts today!
Infuse Technology is a leading provider of cloud-backed solutions and hosted desktop services, providing IT support in Derby and across the UK. We’ve been helping businesses progress through IT for over 20 years, so you can trust us to get the job done and do it well.