8 Benefits of Cloud Computing

Cloud computing is the delivery of computing services over the Internet.There's a lot of excitement surrounding it, as some organizations are looking to integrate cloud technologies into their IT management practices.

Before cloud computing, companies purchased, installed and maintained their servers.They'd run everything in-house, with departments procuring and managing the data centers.

This approach adds indirect IT costs and the company cannot sustain changes in demand.Let's unravel how cloud computing can solve the challenges of internal systems.

1. Variable fees

Before cloud computing, companies raised funds to build IT systems.Spending will include data center hardware and software and other resources.

Traditionally, procurement of equipment will depend on expected capabilities. IT departments invest in devices before they are used.This approach is risky because if there is no increase in demand, the equipment will sit idle.If demand exceeds capacity, they will have to procure more equipment.

Cloud computing addresses this challenge with variable fees.Variable fees eliminate capital costs because customers only pay for the resources they use.

They don't need to buy equipment or incur costs for security and electricity bills.They also don't need to hire staff to handle their IT; cloud computing providers can offer these as a service.

2. Scale on demand

Scaling on demand is difficult for internal systems.This is because the physical infrastructure limits their capabilities.A sudden increase in demand will force you to buy more infrastructure.This process takes a lot of time and money.

When demand wanes, the extra infrastructure remains unused until the next demand peak.

In a cloud-based model, you don't have to guess your capabilities.You can scale as needed in seconds.Scaling on demand means you can adjust resources based on demand.And, you only pay for what you use.

For example, when you use a storage service from a cloud provider like Google Drive, you can pay for additional storage space.You can get this extra space in less time than buying a new hard drive.

3. Reduce operating costs

Owning your own data center means purchasing and managing the infrastructure in-house.On-premises data centers are ideal for organizations with sensitive data.But for small businesses, managing a data center can be quite expensive.

With cloud computing, you can reduce the operating costs of your data center.Cloud computing providers host a large number of customers.By allocating costs among customers, they have the ability to offer lower costs.Managing resources in the cloud on a pay-as-you-go model is easier than running your own data center.

4. Infrastructure management

IT infrastructure needs to be managed around the clock.You purchase equipment, hire staff, and pay for overheads like electricity and space.You also have to constantly spend money to manage the data center.

With a cloud platform, the cloud provider maintains the physical and software infrastructure.They also manage the procurement, maintenance and security of your resources.

You don't pay any maintenance fees, only the resources used.Thus, you have plenty of time to focus on innovating your business.

5. Global Exposure

Deploying an application with a global audience is not easy.First, you have to set up the infrastructure and people to manage the deployment.Second, you must follow the compliance procedures governing the host country.

With cloud computing, the cloud provider takes care of all these problems for you.They give you the infrastructure to quickly build, deploy and scale your applications.Depending on the kind of resource you choose, you can actually go global in minutes.

Most cloud computing providers have established regional data centers to make your business spread across the world.Your application will also live in a supported and secure environment.

6. Enhanced security

If you have an on-premise data center, you must invest in protecting your sensitive data.You have to hire people and buy systems to protect your investment.

In the cloud, your provider handles security for you.Cloud providers have systems in place to secure the network and the flow of information.You still retain control of your data, platforms, applications and private networks.This support enables you to expand and innovate while only paying for what you use.

While cloud security has always been problematic, most cloud providers have invested in measures to counter security threats.They have systems in place to detect hacking, prevent fraud, and other system disruptions.They also have firewalls and other measures to deal with malware in the cloud.You are only responsible for what you put in the cloud.

Plus, all reputable cloud vendors have best practices that every customer adheres to.You must abide by these policies and operating procedures.Cloud providers have expert teams and security measures to ensure maximum security.

Combining your security measures with those of your cloud provider will protect your resources.You pay less to set up and manage security in the cloud than in an on-premises data center.

7. Improve agility

Agility is the ability to move and change quickly in response to stimuli.An agile system recovers quickly from failures, human error, or natural disasters.

Cloud systems design their infrastructure to handle all types of outages.They have data centers in different regions and availability zones with redundant data.

Ideally, when setting up a resource, you must deploy it in multiple availability zones.Distributed data centers ensure data redundancy.Data redundancy has its advantages and disadvantages, and it is a great option to protect against data loss.When one data center fails, you can use data centers in other regions.

Storing data in different regions and regions ensures the agility of your application.Your application doesn't experience downtime; when it does, the outage is short-lived.

8. Accelerate innovation

Cloud platforms like AWS are offering innovative technologies like machine learning and artificial intelligence as a service.After setting it up as a resource, you can incorporate these concepts into your workflow in minutes.

On your own, this level of innovation will likely take several years to develop and implement.With cloud technology, you get state-of-the-art technology on a pay-as-you-go basis.

How to use the cloud-based system

Cloud-based systems provide deployment modes that you can choose based on your use case.A public cloud is a cloud-based deployment where you design and run applications.

You can also have a private cloud hosted on-premises that you manage independently.Alternatively, you can use a hybrid cloud, which combines public and on-premises infrastructure.

A hybrid cloud connects on-premises resources to a public cloud such as AWS (Amazon Web Services).Here, you can deploy some data to the cloud and keep the rest in your local data center.