Whether you own a startup or a large scale business, cloud services are something you would have heard about at least a handful of times. A majority of the enterprises have already adopted the developments in the market. Whether it is storing data in remote data centers (physical and cloud), signing a contract with managed service providers to handle the IT infrastructure of the business, or moving the entire business system to the cloud, each enterprise is revamping its business model in various ways possible.
One such development we are going to learn today is cloud infrastructure services. There are many reasons for an enterprise to opt for could infrastructure, ranging from cost-saving to enhanced performance and access to the latest technology.
But first, let us start with what cloud infrastructure means.
In simple terms, cloud infrastructure is where the various elements of IT infrastructure are located on a cloud platform. The elements include-
- Servers
- Software
- Network devices
- Storage devices
- And other resources
Earlier, enterprises had the hardware to cater to the above-mentioned elements. Over time, the costs of managing and upgrading hardware have increased, thanks to the ever-changing technology. Enterprises had to have an in-house IT support team to ensure that there were no errors in the system and it was always secure.
Now, these services are being offered by third-party companies that also provide an array of cloud services. Whether the enterprise moves the business system to one of the famous clouds such as Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud, etc. or to a private cloud managed by other cloud companies, these service providers maintain the IT infrastructure.
From creating a cloud network to applications to facilitating sharing, collaborating and offering technical support, the best cloud infrastructure company will handle every aspect of the process.
Does this mean that every enterprise has to opt for cloud infrastructure services? Can enterprises choose which parts of the IT system they want to move to the cloud? The answer to the second question is a definite yes. Cloud infrastructure services are divided into three basic levels. Enterprises can choose the extent of third-party involvement in their IT system.
SaaS (Software as a Service)
This is the most-used type of cloud service in the market. Many enterprises opt for cloud software services as it saves them the cost of having to buy every software solution and its various upgraded versions. Enterprises can lease the software for a period and use it straight from the cloud. The vendor will manage all aspects of the software including but not limited to the network requirements, run time, virtualization, troubleshooting, OS, and more.
PaaS (Platform as a Service)
PaaS is one next ahead of SaaS, where the vendor provides a platform to create a software application. Enterprises get access to the various tools, wireframe networks, code, and other necessary components so that they can build their software solution. The service provider manages the platform and keeps it free of glitches at all times.
IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service)
IaaS is where all the in-house control is moved to the cloud. The service provider is responsible for server connection, data storage and back up, updating middleware and OS, and providing all the resources an enterprise requires for the business. IaaS is a complete yet customized package where the enterprise pays a third-party provider to avail of an array of IT services.
Will cloud infrastructure be cost-intensive? How should enterprises choose IaaS services?
Compared to creating full-fledged IT infrastructure on-premises, enterprises are finding it easy to pay a reputable service provider for outside support. With more enterprises promoting BYOD (Bring Your Own Devices), the need for having an extensive IT system has gone down considerably. Cloud infrastructure also allows employees to work from any location, as long as they have access to the cloud. Employees can also opt for Work from Home (WFH) since the data and software are accessed through the cloud and they do not need to use a specific computer located in the enterprise.
But when choosing cloud services, enterprises should decide which method they want to follow.
Public Cloud- Public cloud is suitable for collaborative work where more than one enterprise is involved in the process. It provides less security.
Private Cloud- It’s the opposite of the public cloud and has the highest level of data security. But it is expensive and suitable for large organizations.
Hybrid Cloud- It offers the best of the above two and is suitable for SaaS where an enterprise integrates various platforms in one place. The best cloud infrastructure company can help enterprises decide which method is most suitable for their business.
Enterprises can automate daily operations, shorten the production timeline, and increase the return on investment by opting for cloud infrastructure services.
