Cloud Computing is the availability of computing services such as data storage and processing power over the Internet. Cloud Computing helps achieve faster and more cost-effective performance. It is an expansive field which will continue to grow and will provide benefits to both the host and the customer. Cloud Computing helps in consumer services like Gmail and Netflix, too uses cloud computing services for streaming videos.
The concept of cloud computing has been around for a a long time now, it all started when companies would rent time on mainframes rather than buying them for themselves.
Cloud Computing can be broken down into three computing models :
- Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) refers to the basic building blocks of computing that can be rented such as physical or virtual servers, storage and networking. This is meant for companies that want to build applications from the very rudimentary level and want to control almost all the elements bon their own, but it does require companies to have the technical skills to be able to amplify their services at that respective level.
- Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) is the next layer up and aslo the underlying storage, networking, and virtual servers this will also include the tools and software that developers require to build applications on top of: these applications may include middleware, database management, operating systems, and development tools.
- Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) refers to the delivery of applications-as-a-service, this is the version of cloud computing that most people are used to. The underlying hardware and operating system is of not much interest to the end user, who will just access the service via a web browser or app; it is often bought on a per-user basis.
Benefits of Cloud Computing
- You no longer need to hire expert staff.
- Reduced IT costs.
- Reduced power and energy consumption.
- Your business can be scaled up and down according to your business needs.
- Cloud computing ensures that your data is backed up and is safe and secure at all times.
- Allows the employees to access data remotely and thus improves flexibility in the work practice.
- You will have access to automatic updates.
- Cloud Computing also helps to make collaboration an easy process. Sharing of project details and other information among the employees of the company will be much easier and can also find access to files while working from different locations remotely.
