How Does Cloud Computing Work?

When referring to technology and computing, ‘the cloud’ is a term that regularly pops up. But what is cloud computing? Before its existence, companies were required to buy and maintain their own servers. This was not only costly for organisations but also relied on a lot of server space in case of outages and high volumes of traffic. In the modern world, however, cloud service providers enable users to reduce maintenance requirements, expensive IT resources, and the need for onsite hardware. In this guide, we’ll take you through how cloud computing works, the different types of cloud computing, and its advantages as well as the risks of it.

What Is Cloud Computing?

Cloud computing is essentially a range of services that can be conducted over the internet or via ‘the cloud’. It uses remote servers to both store and access data rather than hard drives and local data centres as was the traditional way.

There are 3 primary categories of cloud services: Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (Paas), and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). These categories contain assets that we often use every day. Microsoft 365 and Sharepoint, for instance, are common examples of Software as a Service by allowing users to organise and store data in one efficient tool. SaaS is also the most common type of cloud service. PaaS supports web application development and deployment, prevalent examples being Microsoft Azure or Google App Engine, and IaaS provides basic computer infrastructure capabilities such as data storage.

Cloud computing has evidently revolutionised the way we save and store data, ultimately allowing users to access files from anywhere in the world with a stable internet connection.

Cloud Computing Explained

A stable internet connection is a key way cloud computing is able to function. Remote servers or hosting companies maintain huge data centres where data is stored, offering the user a unified ecosystem of computing that is able to communicate between various programs and devices. As an example, if you download a song on Apple music on your laptop, it will instantly sync to the same app on your phone – this is cloud computing.

Advantages Of Cloud Computing

In an ever-increasing remote-based world, there are various benefits that can come from cloud computing. Whether you’re looking for scalability in your business, increased collaboration, or a more cost-effective system, cloud computing can be advantageous in many ways.

Quick Turnarounds

Cloud computing makes it easy to test new ideas or design apps without hardware issues and limiting processes. If you’re hoping to get started on a new venture, cloud computing is therefore a great way to turn around developments in quick succession, achieving a faster time to market which can be critical in business.

Flexibility

With a fully digitised operation, cloud computing offers flexibility like none other. Resources are able to be scaled up or down in line with your business needs, and there is no need to invest in expensive infrastructure as all your data is stored remotely. Cloud computing can thus meet all your business requirements in an effective yet speedy way.

Cost-Effective

As a user will only pay for the resources they use, cloud computing is highly cost-effective. Irrespective of the cloud service you choose, you do not have to allocate more budget than necessary to data storage as you might have with earlier data storage solutions. IT teams are also left to focus on other areas of the business, saving you money in the long run with little maintenance required.

Risks Of Cloud Computing

Despite its advantages, there are some risks associated with cloud computing technology that users should be aware of. Firstly, cloud systems often need double the number of devices to keep client information stored securely due to their occasional breakdown. Cloud systems are therefore known to make copies of client information in order to store it on another device, so if you’re dealing with highly classified information, this is something to consider.

A further risk is cloud computing’s reliance on the internet. If you struggle with an unstable internet connection, you may find it hard to access your data in some instances. These technical issues can cause real problems for businesses, particularly time-sensitive projects. Investing in high-speed fibre broadband might be a good idea to try to minimise these setbacks as much as possible if they’re a concern.

Get In Touch With Cloud Specialists

If you’re looking to upgrade your cloud computing technology, feel free to get in touch with one of our cloud specialists at Lucidica where we’ll talk you through your options to find the right solution for you and your business.