Cloud computing is the process of using remote servers, instead of local servers and computers, to serve the purposes of storing, managing, and processing data with the help of the internet. The term ‘cloud’ is used for remote servers along with the software and databases that can be accessed over the internet.

To make it short, cloud computing is the delivery of various IT services through the internet whenever demanded. With the help of cloud computing, you can easily store your large files on a remote server without the hassle of spending much for your local system.

We have been using cloud computing for years now, only that it has created a buzz recently due to some advanced services like Amazon Web Services (AWS) that surfaced not long ago. Services like AWS has created the option of running large organizations with less expense on servers, computers, staffers, and other utilities.

In this article, we will discuss the uses of cloud computing, and its benefits and learn the difference between cloud hosting and traditional web hosting. So, let’s get started.

 

What is Cloud Computing Used For?

 

1. Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) and Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS)

Companies can save huge funds using cloud infrastructure. The pay-per-use scheme of cloud services provides resources for fundamental computation, networking, and storing. This IaaS service saves on costs for purchasing, managing, and maintaining infrastructure for an organization.

The PaaS system provides an overall platform for hardware, software, and fundamental infrastructure. It is beneficial from a financial perspective as it saves huge on developing, executing, and managing applications.

2. Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)

SaaS is a widely popular cloud service that deserves a mention. Software products in the cloud environment are not only easy to access but are also cost-effective as it involves only an online subscription to get access rather than the buying and installing of it on an individual system.

3. Hybrid cloud and multi-cloud

For the execution of critical applications and managing workloads, the hybrid cloud system connects the on-premise cloud of a company with the third-party cloud environment making it a single, flexible and robust unit.

4. Test and development

Cloud computing speeds up the process of development and testing through cloud-based tools dedicated to application development and testing. Using cloud computing the process becomes easy, fast, and far more cost-effective compared to in-house operations.

5. Big data analytics

Cloud computing offers big data analytics for both structured and unstructured data. Through this data analytics companies are able to derive powerful insights based on which they can optimize their business accordingly.

6. Cloud storage

Cloud storage has enabled users to store their data on the cloud. This has gained much more efficiency and cost-effectiveness than maintaining dedicated data centers.

7. Disaster recovery and backup

Disaster recovery system for cloud computing provides for quick recovery of lost data in case of an unavoidable incident and is much more cost effective than traditional systems.

Also, data backup is a complex and prolonged affair for an on-premise system which is much more effective in cloud computing.

 

What are the Benefits of Cloud Computing?

 

1. Cost Savings

The initial expense might be not very encouraging but in the long run, your ROI will make it all worth it. Most cloud computing services come with a pay-as-you-go system which implies that you don’t need to pay for every feature that comes with the cloud system and can opt for only those which are of use to you.

Also, in this pay-as-you-go system, you will be charged only for the space required by you. This way the expenses come down and you will eventually see higher returns.

2. Flexibility

In a cloud computing system, your requirement for extra bandwidth is immediately met which is not the case while hosting on local servers. For local servers, the process of extension requires complex as well as expensive updates of the infrastructure. This flexibility of cloud computing results in improved efficiency of organizational operations.

3. Increased Collaboration

Cloud computing provides seamless collaboration making the process of viewing and sharing information easy and secure. Collaboration is possible without cloud services as well, but the cloud-computing system makes the collaborative environment much more accessible, effective, and low-budgeted.

4. Mobility

Cloud services entertain the inclusivity of smartphones and other mobile devices. This assures there is a seamless flow of operations given that there is a huge number of smartphone users currently.

Remotely located staff, traveling staff, freelancers, or busy professionals can thus access the cloud on the run through their smartphones. This mobility of the services ensures that not one instance of organizational growth is missed.

5. Security

You may face security concerns regarding the remote placement of all your valuable data in the cloud system. However, the reality is that the case of internal data theft is staggeringly high compared to cloud computing. The cloud system has cloud hosts whose job is to dedicatedly monitor security, which is otherwise impossible in a traditional in-house system.

The key to a high level of security is data encryption which makes it less accessible to hackers or any other unauthorized admission.

6. Insight

With cloud services, organization-wide data analysis is much easier and cost-effective. Often cloud services come with integrated cloud analytics. In this system, you can easily implement tracking mechanisms and derive customized reports on the stored data.

7. Quality Control

The cloud-based system assures consistency in data, lesser human error, and helps in having a concise report in case of any change or update. This is due to the fact that all the data are stored in one place and in a single format in this system which remains unaltered by any amount of employee access.

8. Disaster Recovery

From power outages to natural calamities, any disaster on the cloud data can be recovered easily in the cloud system. Downtime due to some unprecedented and uncontrolled incidents can be managed through the disaster recovery system.

9. Loss Prevention

When the data is stored in the cloud system, you need not worry about any loss of your local system. Even if there is a theft or breakdown of your local computer, your data will be safe in the cloud environment which can be accessed from any computer with an internet connection.

10. Automatic Software Updates

Automatic refresh and update are being carried on for cloud computing applications preventing an organization to spend time and money on any organization-wide update. Automatic update saves valuable employee engagement time and the expenditure behind every system update.

Also, this cloud benefit never fails to update on time which might not be the case for manual automation.

11. Competitive Edge

If you want to remain at par with the current technological advancement so that your business is not categorized as downhill, then choosing the cloud system might be the solution for you. Currently, more than 77% of businesses opt for cloud computing. For them, other than the advanced features and benefits, it is the competitive edge that they are considering the most. 

12. Sustainability

The infrastructures involved in cloud system functions in the favour of the environmental defense. Less carbon footprint as a result of more virtual services over physical hardware and paper wastes makes cloud computing a sustainable service.

 

Difference between Cloud Hosting (like AWS) and Traditional Web Hosting

• Traditional web hosting service is related to internet hosting while cloud storage involves the usage of many servers for hosting.
• While it is a fixed single server for web hosting, cloud storage works with many servers at a time.
• In terms of scalability, cloud hosting is much more promising compared to web hosting.
• Cloud hosting is based on usage whereas web hosting offers packages for the required services.
• The reliability factor is high for cloud hosting, as this system can switch between servers if the working serving is functioning low.
• Cloud services are known to be a dynamic and demand-dependent facility that is also highly scalable. These features are not entertained by web hosting where you have to depend on a rigid infrastructure that requires high expenditure in case of expansion.

 

Conclusion

Cloud computing has several uses and advantages over the traditional on-premise system and very little or near-to-no limitations. It has helped in the multidimensional growth of various enterprises, from small to large scale, and in the future promises to have a permanent impact on the entire globe.

Dignitas Digital offers some of the best expertise in AWS solutions. We have already successfully provided optimal cloud migration and hosting solutions to several satisfied clients, minimizing their expenses and maximizing their operational effectiveness. It is for sure that this cloud ecosystem is not going anywhere soon.

Want to learn more about our AWS offering? Check out one of our AWS case studies here: https://dignitas.digital/blog/moved-legacy-software-system-to-aws-slashed-tco/