Cloud Computis, it is called cloud computing because the information is accessed remotely in the “cloud” or virtual space. Companies that provide cloud services allow their users to store files and applications from remote servers.
They can also access it as long as there is an internet connection. This means a user can be in a different place to gain access to his files.
Cloud computing can be public or private. The public cloud provides its services publicly on the internet. Meanwhile, on the other hand, private clouds only offer their services to certain people. There is also a hybrid option, which combines both public and private clouds.
Examples of using cloud computing
Apart from its various services, cloud computing provides its users with a series of functions, such as:
- Email is an example of the Zimbra Mail service
- Storage, backup, data retrieval
- Build and test applications
- Analyze data
- Streaming audio and video
Cloud computing is a relatively new service, but it has been used by various companies ranging from small to large corporations, companies or government ministries, and even individual users.
Not only that, but cloud computing also has services such as language processing, artificial intelligence, and standard programs at work. Anyway, services that do not require you to be physically in front of hardware such as computers and laptops.
Top 7 Cloud Computing Applications
1. Online Data Storage
Cloud Computing is a technology that enables the storage and access of data such as files, images, audio, and videos on remote servers accessed via the internet.
As the amount of business data continues to grow, storing it locally can become increasingly expensive and space-intensive.
Cloud storage provides a cost-effective and flexible solution for businesses to store and access their data using multiple devices.
The interface is user-friendly and convenient, and it also offers the benefits of high-speed access, scalability, and integrated security measures.
This technology has become increasingly popular in recent years as it allows businesses to save costs on physical storage and manage their data more efficiently.
2. Backup and Recovery
Backup and Recovery is one of the key benefits of using cloud computing. Cloud service providers offer secure storage and backup solutions for data and resources on the cloud. In traditional computing systems, data backup can be a complex and costly task. In case of a disaster, data can be permanently lost.
However, with cloud computing, data can be easily and quickly recovered with minimal damage in case of a disaster. This is achieved through the use of advanced technologies such as replication, snapshots, and disaster recovery solutions.
This feature is especially important for businesses as it helps protect their valuable data and prevents loss of critical information.
Additionally, with the help of cloud-based backup and recovery solutions, businesses can reduce their overall IT costs, as they no longer need to invest in expensive hardware and software for backup and recovery.
3. Big Data Analysis
By utilizing the power of cloud computing, companies can gain powerful insights and optimize business processes through big data analytics.
Cloud computing allows for the collection, storage, and analysis of vast amounts of structured and unstructured data from corporate endpoints, cloud applications and users, providing valuable insights for businesses.
This enables companies to make data-driven decisions, such as targeting advertising and marketing campaigns, leveraging machine learning and artificial intelligence, and improving overall business operations.
It is a powerful tool for organizations to gain a competitive edge and make strategic decisions.
4. Testing and Development
One of the most practical applications of cloud computing is in software development environments.
DevOps teams can quickly spin up development, testing, and production environments tailored to their specific needs, including automated provisioning of physical and virtual machines.
It can save time and resources compared to setting up in-house testing and development environments, which requires budget allocation and the installation and configuration of development platforms.
Cloud computing accelerates the software development process by providing cloud-based development tools that make creating apps and software faster, easier, and more cost-effective.
Cloud computing enables efficient use of DevOps processes, CI/CD pipelines, and cloud-native advancements such as microservices, serverless, and containerization, which further accelerates innovation and development.
5. Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) and Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS)
Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) is a cloud computing service that provides fundamental compute, network, and storage resources to consumers on demand over the internet, on a pay-as-you-go basis.
It enables companies to save on the costs of acquiring, managing, and maintaining their own IT infrastructure. Additionally, IaaS is easily accessible, with most major cloud service providers, including Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud, IBM Cloud, and Microsoft Azure, offering this service as part of their cloud computing services.
Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) is another cloud computing service that provides customers with a complete cloud platform, including hardware, software, and infrastructure, for developing, running, and managing applications without the cost, complexity, and inflexibility of building and maintaining the platform in-house.
Organizations may use PaaS to increase the speed of development on a ready-to-use platform, and deploy applications with a predictable and cost-effective pricing model.
6. Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)
Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) is a type of cloud computing service that delivers software access online via a subscription, rather than requiring IT teams to buy and install it on individual systems.
This model has revolutionized the way companies use software by providing access to advanced tools and capabilities, such as automation, optimized workflows, and real-time collaboration, from anywhere and at any time, as long as there is an internet connection.
SaaS providers, like Salesforce, have made it possible for companies to streamline their operations and improve productivity by utilizing powerful software tools and services without the need for expensive hardware and software installations.
7. Hybrid Cloud and Multi Cloud
Hybrid cloud is a computing environment that combines a company’s on-premises private cloud services with third-party public cloud services into a single, flexible infrastructure for running critical applications and workloads.
This mix of public and private cloud resources allows for the selection of the optimal cloud for each application or workload and the ability to move workloads freely between the two clouds as needed. This approach improves technical and business objectives more effectively and cost-efficiently than using a public or private cloud alone.
Multicloud goes a step further, allowing organizations to use two or more clouds from different cloud providers. This type of cloud computing can include any combination of IaaS, PaaS, or SaaS resources.
With multicloud, workloads can be run in different cloud environments to match specific needs and avoid vendor lock-in. This allows companies to benefit from the strengths of multiple cloud providers and avoid the limitations of relying on a single provider.