What is Cloud Computing

Intro To The Cloud

Cloud computing is the use of hardware and software housed within a data facility and delivered over an Internet-driven network. With cloud computing, customers don’t have to personally manage their entire desktop, data, software, and computation because these services are housed in a secure facility. Hardware, servers, connections, air-conditioning, and power are provided in a cost-effective manner to prevent loss of data and business functionality due to local disaster or or other interruptions of support services. Cloud providers manage the infrastructure and platforms on which the applications run.

Leasing needed business applications in the cloud can be much more cost-effective than purchasing the software outright and paying for licenses, renewals, and upgrades. The business model, IT as a service (ITaaS), allows the company’s internal IT department to focus on creative ways to enhance the business instead of dealing with time-consuming challenges and emergency IT requirements.

Types Of Cloud Computing

Listed below are the many types of public cloud computing that can be outsourced to these enterprise IT support organizations:

Desktop as a Service (DaaS)

Known as Virtual Desktop, VDI or VMware where all software and operating systems are housed off site in a protected environment. All work is saved there.

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

One’s server is relocated to a data center “cage.” The customer is charged for the space and power used and maintains the server and it’s software.

Platform as a Service (PaaS)

The provider inside the data center supplies the server, switch, other equipment, the IT servicing and maintenance and software. Also proprietary customer software can be serviced and maintained.

Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS)

Unified Communications as a Service includes Remote Call Routing as well as to cell phones, video conferencing, collaboration tools, file sharing, instant messaging, email collaboration and sharing, voicemail to text and email, social media synchronization, and other such sophisticated services .

Software as a Service (SaaS)

Industry-standard software is available at a monthly charge. Software remains current and the customer has access to the most advanced version.

Back Up as a Service (Baas)

Customer data information is “mirrored” in redundant, secured data centers. (Folders, files, emails, etc)

Disaster Recovery as a Service (DRaaS)

The entire operating system is “mirrored” in reduncant, secured data centers. Restoration is possible in minutes or hours instead of days.

Storage as a Service (STaaS)

Simply put, the customer’s data is stored on the provider’s (within the data center) redundant storage servers at diverse locations.

Data as a Service (DaaS)

Remotely providing the customer with information and data server, to capture geographical, business contact, logistics, catalogs and the like.

SEC as a Service (SECaaS)

“Security as a service vendors are more able to ensure current and real-time protection from cyber attacks. There are five fundamental steps that 3rd party vendors provide to clients which include Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover. Policies for each step need to be developed and implemented. It has become too complex of a job for the average organization to address. Having a CIO or CTO on staff is not enough. A CISO (Chief Information Security Officer) is required in today’s cyber threat environment. Even enterprise business is moving towards this 3rd party solution.” [/simple_toggle]

Security Compliance as a Service (SCaaS)

Government Regulators, Financial Institutions and card processing organizations are placing more responsibility and requirements on the individual merchant to create a security compliance policy that remains current with ever-changing regulations set forth by the Security Compliance Council. Requirements also exist that every employee who handles credit cards, patient records or financial records be trained upon hire and at least annually. Third party providers make it easy for companies to remain compliant and current offering pro-active solutions instead of reactionary and remedial repairs offered by law firms. This proactive approach has a small monthly fee versus exposing the merchant to possible and exorbitant legal fees, fines and charge-backs.

API as a Service (APIaaS)

“Application Program Interfaces” are maintained by a 3rd party wherer data is arranged and manipulated for the customers use and interpretation.

Business Process as a Service (BPaaS)

The best examples of this service is payroll, printing, legal and commerce services.

Test Environment as a Service (TEaaS)

Remote services that test processes such as Java scripting, website encoding, sequencing of equipment, etc.

How Does It Work?

Like other utility providers (electricity, water, gas), cloud computing shares resources over multiple servers to improve availability over broadband accesses. End users can access cloud-based applications through a web browser on a desktop, laptop, tablet, or mobile phone, while the business software and user’s data are stored on servers at a remote location. Cloud computing allows businesses to reduce application set-up intervals, reduce maintenance time and resources, and enables the organization to leverage third party IT services and/ or allows existing IT departments to focus on improving business operations and time for more creative IT solutions.

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