Understanding cloud computing and its immense value in today's environment

Posted by:
Kavita Majumdar

Publish Date:
22 Aug, 2022

The ever-expanding geography of computing has reached whole new strata with cloud computing. Data and programs have swiftly moved from relatively siloed grounds like local PCs and corporate server rooms to the cloud. The disruption caused by the pandemic and the Ukraine war has driven both public and private enterprises to shift their operations to the cloud, given its far-reaching benefits.

 

So what is cloud computing?

 

Cloud computing provides public and private enterprises with an efficient and agile platform to communicate, store data, collaborate on documents, or compute and analyze numbers on large data sets. 

 

Based on the needs of the organization, cloud computing includes a variety of services, including:

  • Software-as-a-Service (SaaS; wherein consumers can access and use the provider's applications or service that is hosted in the cloud), 
  • Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS; wherein consumers deploy onto the cloud infrastructure their own software and applications), and 
  • Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS; wherein cloud infrastructure is provided where the consumer can control and run their operating systems, storage, deployed applications, and network connectivity, however, they do not control underlying cloud infrastructure). 

These services can be hosted either on a:

 

Private cloud: As the name suggests, a private cloud is deployed, maintained, and operated solely for internal utilization by the organization. It may be managed in-house or with a third party and can exist on or off the premises.

 

Public cloud: This cloud infrastructure is owned and operated by cloud service providers and is accessible to the consumer to develop and deploy a service in the cloud commercially. 

 

Community cloud: This cloud infrastructure is shared by several organizations with similar concerns and requirements, thereby reducing capital expenditure costs.

 

Hybrid cloud: This is a combination of two or more clouds (private, community, or public) that remain siloed entities but can, when the need arises, allow data and/or applications to be ported from one cloud to another. This allows the companies to reap the benefits of keeping their sensitive data within their private cloud, and high-volume operations that require less security can be operated via the public cloud. 

 

Click here for invenioLSI's unique offerings in cloud computing

 

Benefits of switching to the cloud:

  • Economical: One of the main reasons organizations have moved to the cloud is to save money on heavy-duty expenses like infrastructure for maintaining physical hardware storage, hiring expensive IT staff, and saving on installing, configuring, and then frequently updating expensive software, to name a few. Plus, predetermined monthly IT costs make it easier for organizations to manage cash flows better. 
  • Scalability: Organizations need to marshal their resources based on their needs, and the cloud gives them the flexibility to start small and scale up or down based on the requirement. The key here is that regardless of the volume of business, the cloud has the capacity for programs to run smoothly.
  • Security: Many believe that moving to the cloud would make data more susceptible to security breaches. However, the UK's National Cyber Security Centre has an entire whitepaper debunking some of these concerns

    "There's a belief that moving to the cloud makes it easier for organizations to accidentally provide the public with access to confidential data… Given these perceived risks, the security benefits of moving to a cloud-based system are often overlooked, with some organizations believing that cloud deployments will result in more overall risk than traditional systems… This security paper seeks to challenge these perceptions. It describes the security benefits of adopting a good cloud service." 

  • Maintenance: Moving to the cloud also means the hassle of system maintenance is borne by the provider leaving the organization with time to focus on the core business instead.
  • Accessibility: In the current scenario where remote working has become the 'new normal', this is one of the most important benefits of moving to the cloud. People working from various locations have access to systems; thus, productivity is not hampered.

Given all the advantages, it would be sensible to move to the cloud if your organization requires it. But organizations also need to be mindful that the transition needs a lot of groundwork and planning and a reliable partner with a deep understanding of the system who can provide the right expertise to make the switch as seamless as possible. 

 

About us:

invenioLSI is the largest independent SAP solutions provider serving the Public Sector as well as offering specialist skills in the media and entertainment sector. With deep expertise and advanced technologies, we enable organizations to modernize so they can run at the speed of today's business. We know how to navigate the extraordinary complexities of public sector organizations, working with stakeholders to drive change and create the agile organizations of tomorrow using the technologies of today. Our cloud solution allows your business to scale quickly, reduce overheads and offer the flexibility your employees and customers need.

 

Sources

 

https://www.dialogic.com/~/media/products/docs/whitepapers/12023-cloud-computing-wp.pdf

https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/whitepaper/security-benefits-of-a-good-cloud-service

 https://dl.acm.org/doi/fullHtml/10.1145/1364782.1364786

https://cloud.report/Resources/Whitepapers/4418a939-b318-4a75-85f9-c051a55a21d8_0101w1.pdf

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/faam.12300

https://aisel.aisnet.org/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3672&context=cais

Blog Author

Kavita Majumdar

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