At CVD, we provide secure, flexible and scalable cloud solutions for your business. We offer a suite of cloud solutions to enhance the way you store and manage data.
‘The Cloud’. That’s where your photos save from your smartphone, right?
Well, it can do a whole lot more than that. Not only has the Cloud positively impacted us in a personal sense, but it has also changed the way businesses operate.
If you are still using an on-premise server in your business, it’s time to move to the Cloud. Increase your storage capacity, improve your cyber security, advance your data backups and save your business money – all on the Cloud!
Here is everything you need to know about cloud computing.
First And Foremost, What Is Cloud Computing?
To put it simply, cloud computing refers to services that are stored and hosted on the internet, rather than on-premise servers. The Cloud offers services such as storage, servers, software, business intelligence, communications and networking capabilities that are scalable, automatic and secure.
Technical research and consulting firm, Gartner, has stated that by 2025, more than 85% of organisations will embrace cloud computing principles to operate digital strategies. And for the remaining 15%, we have to wonder how will they function without the Cloud?
Cloud Computing Vs. On-Premise Servers
Traditionally, companies would operate a physical, on-site server to host their business’ technology infrastructure. This would mean that the company would have to manage and operate the server in house, risking cost inefficiencies and data loss.
Rather than operating an on-premise infrastructure, businesses can rent access for most of their business requirements from a cloud service. This includes applications, storage, analytics – pretty much anything you can think of. This allows clients access to data and applications over the Cloud, from anywhere in the world.
All files that are stored on the Cloud are encrypted and continuously monitored to protect data against unauthorised cyber attacks. And, if in the case of potential data loss, it is easy to access previous versions of your data.
How Does Cloud Computing Work?
Cloud computing is operated by hosting your data on virtual servers on the internet. Simple enough, right? There is a little more to it than that. Cloud technologies work through data centres that connect with virtual servers to store and protect all your information.
Cloud computing relies on the automation and virtualisation of technologies online. This allows your business to access tech infrastructure when you or your employees are connected to the internet, removing the need to install computing resources to every piece of technology in your office.
Cloud computing can be broken down into three main elements:
1. Software as a Service (Saas)
- SaaS is the most commonly employed cloud service by organisations. SaaS uses the internet to deliver applications that are managed by a third-party vendor. You and your employees access your service via your web browser or an app, normally bought on a ‘per user’ basis.
- There is a large variety of applications that are delivered via Saas, ranging from Google Workspace, Salesforce, Dropbox and more.
2. Platform as a Service (PaaS)
- PaaS provides customers with a complete cloud platform (hardware, software and infrastructure) for developing, hosting and managing services online rather than on on-premise platforms. A PaaS provider hosts all of your development needs in their data centre.
- Popular PaaS providers include AWS Elastic BeanStalk, Windows Azure, Google App Engine and more.
3. Infrastructure as a Service (Iaas)
- IaaS is a cost-effective service that provides computing resources over the internet. This includes storage and networking resources often on a ‘pay as you go’ basis. IaaS operates systems through virtualisation technology and provides the flexibility to scale your IT resources quickly.
- Examples of commonly used IaaS providers include Microsoft Azure, Google Compute Engine (GCE), AWS and more.
What Are The Benefits Of Cloud Computing?
So, now you know the basics of cloud computing, you must be wondering ‘how can the Cloud benefit my business’?
Here are some of the main benefits of cloud computing:
- Security
Cloud computing providers offer advanced security features to protect, store and handle your data. Providers offer added protection that includes authentication, access control and encryption to safeguard your company’s data. - Cost-efficiency
Avoid complex costs of maintaining and owning your company’s IT infrastructure, and pay for services your company uses by utilising cloud computing services. - Productivity
Increase employee productivity by providing access to files and applications online from virtually anywhere in the world. - Consistency
Provide consistent digital assets, services and messaging for clients, employees and all other stakeholders across multiple offices and locations. - Scalability
Cloud-based services grow with your company as you primarily only pay for the services you use. Similarly, if there are services you no longer need, you can easily remove them. This gives your business a level of agility that on-premise servers can’t.
Cloud Voice & Data’s Cloud Computing Services
At Cloud Voice & Data, we offer several cloud computing services to enhance your business’s daily operations. Our team can implement cloud-based applications to meet your business requirements and goals with instant computing infrastructure, storage backups and recovery solutions.
As Microsoft partners, we specialise in Microsoft Azure Cloud, (an Infrastructure as a Service). Microsoft Azure offers your business highly secure, scalable and cost-effective solutions for your company’s technology infrastructure. It helps ensure reliable data storage, backup and recovery solutions to minimise downtime and data loss.
We further protect your data and information created in cloud-based applications with backup software from StorageCraft. This cloud-based, backup software is used to backup, store and recover your complete Microsoft 365 and G Suite data.
With our state-of-the-art technology and team of specialists, we can empower your business via cloud computing services for backup, storage and data recovery on Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace.
Do you want to discuss your cloud computing options?
Book a free 30-minute consultation with us today!