Cloud computing has been around since the concept of the internet started, but only in the past decade has it become a household time. Whenever we access a data-heavy platform like Gmail, Facebook or Outlook, we are accessing data in the cloud. The general public has been quicker to adopt the cloud than businesses mostly because of the sensitivity of business data.
The growth in business cloud adoption has been slower with an estimated 50% of global enterprises relying on the cloud in 2018 and this number only expected to grow.
Businesses are migrating to cloud at this increasing rate for a few reasons. Namely:
- Security
- Affordability
- Scalability
- Customization to business needs
- Low risk of data loss
- Immediate upgrade
- Accessibility
While the benefits are well advertised by Cloud resellers and vendors, many businesses don’t know the different types of models of cloud computing and how each can work for their business. In this instance you get the following:
- Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): IaaS providers offer configured hardware and software through a virtual interface. Servers, storage, networking, and security features are the basic services IaaS provides.
- Platform as a Service (PaaS): PaaS provides an environment that allows users to build internet applications and services, from simple apps to sophisticated enterprise applications. PaaS offers all the same services like IaaS, with an additional layer of middleware, development tools, business intelligence services and database management
- Software as a Service (SaaS): Email, calendars, web conferencing tools, project tracking and office tools such as Microsoft Office 365 are all examples of SaaS services.
- Disaster Recovery as a Service (DRaaS): DRaaS uses cloud resources to safeguard and protect applications from disruption and loss.
Knowing the above, how do you choose a cloud service for your business? As more IT systems are outsourced, choosing the right provider is critical for business growth.
- Develop a cloud strategy that is focused on what your business does and select a cloud provider based on this.
- Go for providers that offer SLA’s that can make your IT budget manageable and keep service fast and efficient.
- Check the security of the provider.
- Monitor their service – for your business goals to be achieved their service needs to be 100%, all the time.
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