Main Concepts of Cloud Computing

Main Concepts of Cloud Computing

IT Professionals are all too familiar with game-changing shifts in technology. The ever-increasing speed of change and relentless evolution of technical tools can be both exciting and exhausting. As soon as a new technology is introduced, another is hot on its heels, waiting to gain a foothold in the industry and to make an older solution obsolete. This certainly applies to server management and computing. The progression from paper to hard drive has caused innovators to come up with new ways to store their data. On-site server storage seemed like the ideal method of data storage for companies, however, with the constant need for continual backups and additional maintenance, cloud computing began to gain steam. The rise of hybrid and remote work has introduced a new age and an entirely new working model. 97% of remote workers don’t want to return to the office and 61% of US Employees are ready to take a pay cut so as to continue the remote working status (Good Hire). Cloud computing is not a new concept, but it is now becoming the standard for the modern workplace, in office or not. Here we will break down some of the main concepts of cloud computing and how to prepare your team for the deployment of cloud tools.

 

Three Main Models

Cloud computing is broken down into three main models: SaaS, PaaS and IaaS.

SaaS - Software as a Service

• SaaS is the most frequently used cloud computing infrastructure which became the dominant way to access software applications for businesses. SaaS delivers its software applications over the Internet, on-demand, and applies a pay-as-you-go service. Cloud-based software delivery model that enables organizations to subscribe to the applications they need without hosting them in house.

PaaS - Platform as a Service

• For businesses that want to build unique apps without significant financial investments through vendors in terms of building your applications like development tools, infrastructure, operating system, PaaS is a popular choice.

IaaS - Infrastructure as a Service

• IaaS is the simplest option for businesses. The official definition is that Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) provides compute, memory, storage, networking and related software, such as operating systems and databases, as a cloud service to replace traditional on-premises data center infrastructure.

When selecting a cloud platform determining which model is right for the needs of the company should take top priority so vendors are able to build an optimal experience. Many companies pick and choose which tools they prefer from different cloud vendors to make sure they are getting the most from each provider. This leads us to our next main concept of cloud computing, the benefits of cloud.

Benefits

Cloud computing has evolved past simple remote access. Cloud service providers now have tools to help manage every aspect of your business. From customer experience, to account management and collaboration tools, cloud users have a vast range of options to choose from. These tools give companies flexibility to manage their data from anywhere and employ people from any location. Utilizing multiple cloud service providers also give you the availability to pick and choose the best tools from your preferred vendors and build based on your budget. Along with affordability, multi-cloud usage offers you agility if a cloud provider has an outage. "The failure of a top cloud service for just three days could cost the US economy $15 billion. " ( Lloyd's 2018).

Governance

When introducing cloud or an additional cloud platform, creating policies and procedures for employees to follow is one of the most important parts of cloud governance. Your team should understand the rules for every cloud tool or cloud platform before it is made available. Your cloud access policies should detail how permissions are assigned and what level of access team members should expect. Controlled Access to your cloud data and information gives an extra level of security and peace of mind. Another main point of governing your cloud is enhanced compliance readiness. Not only can fees from regulators become costly, but legal fees are known to add up quickly. By meeting compliance requirements, you are saving your company valuable time and money.

Competencies

One key part of introducing cloud services is training your team on the tools. Being able to effectively use your cloud tools can save a substantial amount of money, assist in preventing security issues, and boost productivity in the long run. Increased productivity can lead to higher revenue generation. The American Society for Training and Development (ASTD) collected training information from over 2500 firms. They found that companies that offer comprehensive training have 218% higher income per employee and a 24% higher profit margin than companies that don’t provide training. Now 24% doesn't seem like much, but the average profit margin is 10% and a 20% profit margin is considered high ( Corporate Finance Institute)

Takeaways

Whether you are just introducing a cloud vendor or adding to your roster, training your teams on how to effectively use their tools is a great place to start. Knowing your growth opportunities and strengths can be helpful when figuring out where to start.

For more information on training your team on cloud visit our Cloud page.