In Cloud computing there are many services provided we can say cloud computing is a broad term which refers to a collection of services. Cloud computing offers businesses a cost effective solution by which businesses can increase their IT capacity and functionality.
As the particular needs of businesses, they can select when, where and how they use cloud computing to ensure an efficient and reliable IT solution.
Cloud computing has different types, including the three main deployment models as we explain below:
Cloud Deployment Models
Cloud environment has three main types and it is also known as cloud deployment models. Depending on the specific requirements businesses can select to run applications on private, public or hybrid clouds.
Public Cloud
An outsourced cloud provider owns a public cloud environment and is reachable to many businesses through the internet on a pay-per-use model. By this deployment model businesses get services and infrastructure , businesses who want to save money on IT operational costs, but it’s the cloud provider who is responsible for the maintenance and creation of the resources.
For small and medium sized businesses, public clouds are ideal, with a tight budget requiring a quick and easy platform in which to deploy IT resources.
Pros of a public cloud
· No geographical restrictions
· Easy scalability
· Highly reliable
· Cost effective
· Easy to manage
Cons of a public cloud
· The safest option for sensitive data not considered
Private Cloud
A single business owns a bespoke infrastructure and cloud deployment model. A more controlled environment offered by it, in which access to IT resources is more centralised within the business. This cloud deployment model can be externally hosted or can be managed in-house. However, private cloud hosting can be expensive, for larger businesses it can offer a higher level of security and more autonomy to customise the storage, networking and compute components to suit their IT requirements.
Pros of a private cloud
· Greater control over the server
· Improved level of security
· Customisable
Cons of a private cloud
· Requires IT expertise
· Harder to access data from remote locations
Hybrid Cloud
A hybrid cloud environment is a good option for businesses seeking the benefits of both private and public cloud deployment models. A hybrid cloud model provides a more tailored IT solution, by combining the two models that meets specific business requirements.
Pros of a hybrid cloud
· Enhanced security
· Highly flexible and scalable
· Cost effective
Cons of a hybrid cloud
· Network level communication may be conflicted as it’s used in both private and public clouds.
Cloud Services
Cloud computing has three main service models – Software as a Service (SaaS), Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) and Platform as a Service (PaaS). These three have clear differences and what they can offer a business in terms of resource pooling and storage, but they can also interrelate with each other to form one encyclopedic model of cloud computing.
IaaS (Infrastructure as Service)
IaaS (Infrastructure as Service) is the most common service model of cloud computing and the fundamental infrastructure of virtual servers, data storage drives, network and operating systems offered by it. Many businesses seek with the cloud the scalability, reliability and flexibility allowed by it and removes the need for hardware in the office. This makes it ideal for small and medium sized businesses or organizations looking for a cost-effective IT solution to support business growth.
PaaS (Platform-as-a-Service)
Here cloud computing providers deploy the infrastructure and software framework, but businesses can run and develop their own applications. Via the PaaS web applications can be created quickly and easily, and the service is robust and flexible enough to support them. For business environments PaaS solutions are scalable and ideal where multiple developers are working on a single project. It is convenient for situations where an existing data source (such as CRM tool) needs to be leveraged.
SaaS (Software as a Service)
The deployment of software over the internet to various businesses involved by this cloud computing solution who pay via subscription or a pay-per-use model. It is a very important tool for applications and CRM that requires a lot of mobile or web access like mobile sales management software. Software as a Service (SaaS) is controlled or managed by a central location so businesses don’t have to worry about maintaining it themselves, and is ideal for short-term projects.