Cloud computing refers to hosted services offered over the internet. These services include servers, databases, applications, networks, analytics, and other cloud-enabled computing functions.
Users on the service can access files and programs stored in the cloud anywhere, reducing the need to always be near physical hardware. Since the data resides on a network of hosted servers that transfer data over the internet, cloud computing makes documents accessible anywhere.
How does cloud computing work?
Cloud computing needs three primary components to be present to work; front end, back end, and network. These components together form the framework for cloud computing. A brief overview of each of these components is given below.
- Front-end: The front end involves the client's computer and the application needed to use the cloud computing framework. The application is a web browser in most cases, although other systems may need special implementations.
- Backend: This applies to the cloud provider-owned computing infrastructure, such as computers, servers, operating systems, and storage devices. Usually, all data collected in the cloud is stored on storage devices, while cloud-based software applications are run on computers.
- Network: This is the key element since it enables the two components, front-end & backend, to be linked through the internet.
Cloud service providers combine all these elements to ensure the seamless delivery of computing services using the various cloud service models.
According to research by the International Data Group, 69% of businesses are already using cloud technology in one capacity or another, and 18% say they plan to execute cloud-computing solutions at some level.
Cloud computing use cases
Cloud computing has been associated with improving competitiveness by cost minimization, greater compliance, and ideal resource usage. Here are a few cases where cloud computing is used to intensify the capacity to accomplish business objectives.
- Backups: An effective solution to data loss and recovery on physical hard drives is cloud storage. The stress of losing valuable data has been experienced by everyone who owns a computer. Cloud hosting provides an easily accessible storage option to keep the files & data secured.
- Big data analytics: Using big data to learn trends and observations was a rambling and costly process before the cloud arrived. The cloud has eliminated the requirement for in-house development resources when gathering and analyzing data.
- Communication to collaboration: From calendar to Gchat, the whole Google suite of apps is cloud-based. Besides, common apps such as Skype and WhatsApp are also popular, and both empower individuals on a global scale to connect and collaborate.
- Test and development: The cloud's versatility allows ecosystems to be swiftly built up, checked, and torn down. The cloud's flexibility ensures that the organization is more competitive, and it is possible to cut down on time to market for new technologies.
- Disaster recovery: In case of disaster, cloud computing has been the most cost-effective & durable option for businesses to secure and recover their data & assets. It is done through cloud-based backup and recovery services.
All sizes of organizations and industries are shifting to cloud services as cloud computing provides an abundance of advantages, especially for business organizations, by enabling them to improve their services' competitiveness, cost-effectiveness, and productivity.
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