What is Cloud Computing ?

Becoming increasingly widespread as a market standard, Cloud Computing is essential to many companies that wish to achieve economies of scale. For this reason, it is crucial to become acquainted with the practice, to understand its benefits and learn more about third-party services. Read on for a comprehensive review of Cloud Computing in all its facets.

Definition of Cloud Computing

A few years ago, Cloud Computing as a practice was still rather niche, but recently it has skyrocketed in popularity. It is a highly convenient and easily accessible solution that continues to win over companies and individuals alike.

Its purpose is simple: provide various online computer services like servers, storage, software or software suites. Whatever your need may be, Cloud Computing allows unlimited access to these various essentials of running a business in this day and age.

In other words, the Cloud offers you a multitude of digital services easily accessible via the Internet, all of which – for a simple monthly or annual subscription. This will grant you total or partial access to the functionalities of the desired services through several sub-methods through the Cloud:

• IaaS: Infrastructure as a Service means the customer is outsourcing their infrastructure. The customer subscribes to a service giving them remote access to the equipment. In this case, however, the customer is responsible for the data, the system and the whole software aspect of the operations.

• PaaS: Platform as a Service sees the client outsource both the infrastructure and its data. This option focuses on rented servers and associated services, where the platform provides the customer with all the necessary tools to begin operations.
• SaaS: Software as a Service offers the customer a full turnkey solution. This is the most widespread type of product – an all-inclusive solution often rented for a monthly subscription to a complete software service.
• Serverless Computing: a Cloud Computing solution where the servers are directly managed by the service provider, which is the case with a product like Microsoft Azure.

Thanks to Cloud Computing, you no longer need to acquire physical servers, or powerful computers required to run server software if you were to use your company’s own devices. In short, Cloud Computing allows you to outsource many otherwise costly services, thus enabling economies of scale.

Different types of Cloud Computing

Public

This type of Cloud is geared for any type of structure or individual. Anyone can access the service without requiring any authorization whatsoever.

Private

This is a dedicated type of Cloud. In other terms, private cloud computing is set up only for a particular company or individual. It responds to a private need and is not shared by other companies or users.

Hybrid

As suggested by its name, hybrid Cloud Computing combines both public and private Cloud services. This allows for greater flexibility, particularly by supporting the company in its continued development. It is a good way to mitigate costs, as the private Cloud is much more expensive than the public.

Among examples of Cloud Computing usages, we can find services like: web hosting, ERP software, or even cloud storage solutions. Now, let’s take a closer look at the various benefits that come with Cloud Computing.

The benefits of Cloud Computing

While economies of scale are the driving force behind Cloud Computing, there are other benefits worthy of note as well. Among them, you will find:

Lower costs

Allowing you to outsource your services and access third-party software from your devices (PC, Mac or smartphones), Cloud Computing saves you the costly purchase of equipment and infrastructure.

As such, you no longer need servers, latest generation computers, or exceptional storage space to run your business. This paves the way for substantial scalability.

Flexibility

While lower costs are definitely among the main talking points for Cloud Computing, it’s also worth noting the flexibility that it offers. Winning in both economies of scale and speed of service, the global deployment of your company will be done instantly thanks to an all-around generalized access to Cloud solutions.

Productivity

In this regard, the professional output of any employee will see an increase. With the flexibility and reliability of its latest-generation solutions, Cloud Computing has become one of the major factors behind increased productivity.

Reliability

Backed by a solid, unified infrastructure and a wealth of customer feedback, Cloud Computing services offer unparalleled reliability. Focused on perfecting their expertise, providers are able to deliver exceptional quality services at incredibly competitive rates, which explains their success.

Performance

It is in the very nature of Cloud Computing to provide you with the latest generation performance adapted to the current market. With the most up-to-date infrastructure, you will be able to meet any of your processing needs.

There are many assets and benefits that make Cloud Computing the perfect solution for your business. It is also important to highlight one of the most important strong points of Cloud Computing: security.

How secure is the Cloud ?

Today, even more so than 5 years ago, security has become imperative to the success of a company. Thanks to its ability to provide you with a comprehensive encryption service, Cloud Computing brings many essential benefits in terms of security and outsourced services. It is thus important to mention that Cloud Computing offers you:

Exceptional security

Thanks to its encryption capacity and security protocols, Cloud Computing helps prevent a wide variety of data leaks, particularly thanks to all-around comprehensive protection.

You will therefore be safe from data loss due to regular backups, as is the case in many hosting services which will offer backup solutions on various levels. As such, the loss of data and particularly the leaks will be fragmented.

The latest generation VPN services will offer IPv4 and IPv6 leak protection that will allow you and your business to enjoy complete anonymity on the web. Many services on the market give you access to professional, almost military grade security.

A set of standards including

• data and systems security, thanks to an array of tools and technicians that are well qualified to respond to any issues in terms of data protection.
• regular security status updates with a simple access and user-friendly interface refreshed in real time.
• systematic detection of any unusual activity, such as a connection from an unknown IP that has never logged into the system before.
• automatic monitoring of any sort of event that does not fall within the framework of normal activity: large number of erroneous or simultaneous logins, foreign IP addresses attempting connection from abroad or even attempted intrusion into the system.

That is a non-exhaustive list of points that allows Cloud Computing solutions to establish themselves as leaders on the market of digital services. Furthermore, many world class companies on the market are attuned to this type of technology, notably – Microsoft Azure.

Microsoft Azure: a must-have in Cloud Computing

Presented as a next-generation Cloud service, Microsoft Azure distinguishes itself as an extraordinary organizational solution for your business and yourself.

Capable of being deployed on a global scale instantly, Microsoft Azure has established itself as the indispensable solution for many companies that wish to be connected with the most modern advancements in technology.

Bill Gates’ firm is a spearhead of innovation in Cloud Computing, having developed solutions that allow companies to establish themselves in their sector through an exceptional digital transformation. Thanks to its management of personalized applications, geared for Open Source, Microsoft Azure sets all kinds of enterprises up  for excellence, in the context of international deployment.

With these unique tools, and a hybrid Cloud, you will be able to move forward, together with your market and your customers, to benefit from the security, reliability and flexibility offered by Microsoft Azure.

At last, with a full reach of possibility offered by Cloud Computing, you will be able to equip your business for success in sectors such as health, financial services, the public sector, distribution and even manufacturing… These are some of the markets that actively run their digital operations on the Microsoft Azure engine.

Companies such as Asos, Daimler and McKesson, are now using Azure as their central Cloud Computing solution. If you would like to turn your company into a winning machine with efficient management and digital transformation from the very start, you may want to consider powering your operations on the Cloud.

These are all essential points, which will help you choose an ERP or CRM software and the right Cloud service to mitigate mistakes along the way. Need help with your ERP or CRM software implementation? Come chat with one of our experts!