Blog/Cloud Computing
15 Advantages of Cloud Computing
Share:
Copy Link
Toluwani Folayan
May 02, 2023
Today, cloud computing solutions are an essential component used by virtually every business due to the variety of benefits the service offers them. One of such is that with cloud computing, businesses can select the service they need based on their company's size, technical needs, and finances.
For many other enterprises around the globe, cloud computing has reduced costs and improved business processes. These primary benefits can also be translated into other related benefits aiding remote workers, increasing productivity, and enhancing operational effectiveness.
This article will discuss what cloud computing is, its advantages, disadvantages, categories, and types. If you are thinking about switching to cloud-based services and products, this article will serve as your holy grail because it will shed more insights on how you can use cloud computing to elevate your business and speed up your digital transformation.
Outline
What is Cloud Computing?
Types of Cloud Computing
15 Advantages of Cloud Computing
Disadvantages of Cloud Computing
What is Cloud Computing?
Cloud Computing (also called utility or on-demand computing) is the transmission of —hardware, storage, databases, networking, and software—on demand to organisations and people through the internet.
The main idea behind utility computing is that clients can access and maintain their data without managing their physical devices or IT infrastructure because all data is stored in the cloud.
This cloud can be public (information and data sent over the internet that can be shared with a wide range of businesses and people), private (data and other information only available to users within your company), and hybrid cloud (a synthesis of the two. There are both public and private clouds in this setting).
Cloud computing allows businesses to access and manage resources and applications wherever there is an internet connection, much like how you can check your email inbox online through a web browser.
Types of Cloud Computing
1. Private Cloud
Here, the company is the only user of the services because all services and infrastructure are privately managed. The private cloud could be hosted in the company's data centre, or third parties could host it for a fee.
2. Public Cloud
Here, third-party operators provide the public clouds. They also use the internet to offer storage transfer services while maintaining the hardware and infrastructure for administering the cloud. An excellent example of third-party operators who provide public clouds is Microsoft Azure.
3. Hybrid Cloud
The hybrid cloud is created by combining private and public databases. This means that the hybrid cloud can share data and applications with one another. As a result, businesses can exchange and move data and apps between private and public clouds, which offers them greater flexibility and infrastructure optimisation.
Types of Cloud Services
There are three main categories of cloud computing. They include IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS.
Software as a Service (SaaS)- a cloud-based product delivery simulation where the cloud provider creates and manages online application software, offers automated software updates and makes the software accessible to its clients over the internet on a subscription basis.
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) - an online computing method that provides internet-based pay-as-you-go access to IT infrastructure like computing, storage, and network resources. For instance, you can use IaaS to request and set up the resources or data you need to operate your IT systems and applications.
Platform as a Service (PaaS)- a full-featured cloud development and deployment environment with the resources you need to execute anything from essential cloud-based products to complex enterprise applications.
15 Advantages of Cloud Computing
1. Flexibility
2. Data Security
3. Ample storage capacity
4. Easy accessibility
5. Mobility
6. Automatic Updates
7. Scalability
8. Data loss prevention
9. Real-time insight access
10. Collaborative
11. Reduced Demand for IT Expertise
12. Business continuity
13. Exclusive Insight
14. Easy Management
15. Reduced Carbon Footprint or Sustainability
1. Flexibility
One significant advantage of cloud computing is that it gives businesses more flexibility. With it, organisations can quickly scale resources and storage up to satisfy business demands without investing in physical infrastructure.
In the same way, if resources are not being used, they can scale back instantly because there are no low bandwidth limitations on the cloud.
Cloud computing is more adaptable than the in-house technical infrastructure, allowing companies to make last-minute changes while maintaining productivity.
2. Data Security
You would agree with us that a top priority of most businesses is the ability to protect all data from hackers. Well, one of the best ways company owners can guarantee data loss prevention is to use cloud-based services.
This is because it is pretty difficult for hackers to access private information on the cloud (despite some people's claims that its open platform and straightforward access can make it simple for hackers).
Cloud computing features strong encryption on files and databases that can reduce the susceptibility to hacker attacks. For instance, in a RapidScale study, 94% of businesses reported improved security using cloud solutions. However, contrary to common belief, using the cloud increases your vulnerability, not decreases it.
Although data theft still exists, businesses can improve their data security by upgrading their encryption.
3. Ample storage capacity
The cloud provides its end users with significant storage space for centrally storing their essential data, including documents, images, audio, and video. Any number of users can access the software or tool in a cloud storage structure at any moment and from any location. The Cloud environment's abstract resources can also be scaled up or reduced to their bare minimum. However, it is essential to note that this cloud storage capacity mainly depends on the specific cost structure.
4. Easy accessibility
Using the cloud and an internet connection, users can quickly and easily access information stored anywhere, at any time, worldwide.
Due to this, companies can quickly boost their organisational output and efficiency.
5. Mobility
Mobility is the cloud's key characteristic due to its ubiquity. With a cloud connection, companies can quickly join remotely using various devices, including laptops, iPads, and smartphones.
In addition to this, its mobility ensures rapid response times, immediate fixes, and continuous communication. If you are an independent contractor or remote worker, or you have a business with branches in various cities and industries, you definitely will need to use cloud computing services for increased productivity.
6. Automatic Updates
Cloud computing simplifies the process of regularly updating your software or firmware. You no longer have to worry about manually updating your software because the cloud handles everything.
Due to cyclical upgrades and automatic software repairs, users can now concentrate their time and energy on work. Also, business IT departments are no longer required to update the software manually. This saves time and money that would have been used for outside IT advice.
7. Scalability
Scalability is the product's capacity to increase its effect on customers and satisfy their demands.
Due to the availability of the cloud system, businesses can easily scale up or down in reaction to shifting conditions and demands. Additionally, using the cloud gives businesses more time to concentrate on operating their businesses.
8. Data loss prevention
Utility computing provides disaster recovery and backup features that help to minimise data loss. When data is stored in the cloud rather than locally, it can be more challenging to lose it in the event of a disaster like a hardware failure, a malicious threat, or even a simple user mistake.
Also, the cloud reduces the time lost due to technical issues, delays caused by stalled servers, and other issues, which amount to almost 6 hours per week. This is almost synonymous with an entire day wasted! Therefore, cloud computing is the preferred option for users seeking to save time while protecting their data.
9. Real-time insight access
On-demand computing allows businesses to access the data they need in real-time. For instance, distribution companies can respond to issues or changes as required because the cloud makes temperature and humidity data visible and usable.
The cloud also provides storage transfer and manufacturing equipment machine learning capabilities so maintenance staff can identify potential failures and monitor machine health even from distant locations.
10. Collaborative
All data is centralised in a cloud-based solution. This implies that whenever a user modifies data, those modifications are immediately accessible to all cloud solution users. This improves staff collaboration and reduces the time they would have spent emailing files back and forth.
The collaborative nature of on-demand computing also guarantees the inflow of fresh ideas and saves time and money by splitting up the work among the team's specialists.
11. Reduced Demand for IT Expertise
Many businesses and sectors struggle with a lack of data and analytics experts. They explicitly do not want to involve their current computer talent in IT growth. They would instead delegate that work to outside parties so that their internal staff could concentrate on the larger picture and use the tools they would typically be responsible for managing. However, outsourcing can sometimes be costly. A better option would be to use cloud computing solutions because its end users do not need technical expertise to use its services.
12. Business continuity
Cloud computing guarantees no work break because it backs up data in data loss, power failure or natural disaster. The company can continue as usual without suffering a loss in productivity because the data is kept in a secure location and is easily accessible again after a crisis.
13. Exclusive Insight
Behind each client transaction and company procedure are hidden multiple forms of information. Hence, it is necessary to identify and act on the knowledge. You can obtain that data by using a compatible cloud computing platform. In addition to cloud-based storage systems, its cloud-run services offer an aerial perspective of the data and analytics.
Understanding this information improves organisation efficiency and aids in creating plans to achieve organisational objectives. Users can also use its tracking mechanism to create customised reports.
14. Easy Management
Utility computing makes evaluating businesses' work, utilities, and duties easy because every organisational data is stored in the cloud.
Also, the cloud computing system's user interface (UI) is simple and intuitive. Activation is not required; hence, any employee can use it easily.
15. Reduced Carbon Footprint or Sustainability
Cloud computing enables businesses to minimise their carbon footprints through online storage. It also enables businesses to avoid the hassle and cost of constructing on-site servers because they can simply assemble the physical assets they do not plan to use.
The cloud makes it easier to deploy virtual items than physical ones and boosts digital proactivity. As a result, it decreases electrical usage, computer-related emissions, and carbon waste.
Disadvantages of Cloud Computing
1. Internet Connectivity
Cloud computing's primary drawback is the necessity for an internet connection. In on-demand computing, all information (including images, music, and video) is kept in the cloud and accessed online.
This means you need a good internet connection anytime you want to access these files, or you will not view the data.
2. Downtime
Another major disadvantage of cloud computing is downtime. Cloud providers are susceptible to technical issues due to several causes, including power outages, poor Internet connectivity, the need for maintenance at data centres, etc. This might cause the online service to experience a brief outage.
3. Vendor lock-in
Vendor lock-in is a significant limitation of cloud computing. Due to the variations in vendor platforms, a business may encounter major challenges when attempting to migrate from one cloud platform to another.
Furthermore, hosting and operating the current cloud platform's applications on another platform could result in support problems, configuration challenges, storage transfer issues, and extra costs. Due to possible compromises made during migrations, the business data may also be left open to security attacks.
All of these may discourage a user from ending their usage of the computing services leading to vendor lock-in.
4. Limited Control
Since cloud users have less influence over how the services within a cloud infrastructure operate and are delivered, it is essential to note that the service provider owns, controls, and monitors cloud infrastructure.
The good news is that you can mitigate most of these drawbacks by thoroughly assessing cloud service providers and their pricing models.
Conclusion
Cloud computing has various advantages that users and businesses can benefit from. It offers greater flexibility and dependability, improved performance and efficiency, and contributes to lower IT expenses. Additionally, it boosts innovation, enabling businesses to cut down on time to market and integrate use cases for AI and machine learning into their strategies.
However, you need to conduct in-depth research on which category or type of computing to discover what aligns well with your business goals and resources.
Related post
Recent Posts
Need help with a project?
© Wazobia Technologies 2024
Powered by:
