Cloud computing is an amalgamation of technologies making up a network to deliver computing services.
It involves the use of both hardware and software, the hardware is required for infrastructural purposes and software for delivering internet-based on-demand services.
The users of the various cloud services are never actively involved in managing the network.
What is cloud computing in simple terms? Explain cloud computing in layman’s language
In simple terms cloud computing involves delivering a number of diverse services over the Internet.
Right from delivering software and analytics to providing secure data storage, everything can be delivered through the cloud.
You may be using a number of different cloud-based applications each day. Each time you are sharing a file or image to your colleague or friends through the internet, you are using the cloud.
Every time you use any mobile app or download an image/ video or watch web series or movies on Netflix or you play an online game, all these services are existing somewhere in some digital space and stored in the cloud.
For businesses, cloud computing helps improve collaboration and productivity resulting in significant cost reductions. Cloud computing provides enhanced data protection, better availability, and higher access to advanced, revolutionary technologies.
When you store information on OneDrive or in any email account, it is different from storing data on your Smartphone or desktop or pen drive. The difference is that data stored in your email account or OneDrive can be accessed by logging in from any computer which has internet access.
In simple words, cloud computing lets people use online services through any device having an internet connection.
This means that the user is not required to be present at a certain location to access the services. Nor does the user have to worry about taking care of the costly infrastructure. The basis for the cloud to existing is the internet.
What is cloud computing with an example?
The best example of Cloud Computing is Gmail. All the Gmail users can access the numerous files and applications hosted by Airbnb – the hospitality industry
Most of us would have used some of the other services from the above-mentioned services but would have never realized that they are actually cloud computing services.
Understand what is cloud computing in simple terms by learning about its five main characteristics
As per the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Cloud computing is defined by five main characteristics:
- On-demand service:
Cloud computing is an on-demand service; you need to pay for it whenever you want to use it. It is similar to getting billed for your electricity connection.
The connection is available all the time; however, at the end of the month, you pay the bill only for electricity consumed by your household or office.
Similarly, the cloud is a form of utility computing where you choose your provider and create an account with it. All the services provided would be available to you; however, you will be billed or charged only for the services you use.
This kind of facility to store and access data offers you complete control over your expenditure and usage.
- Vast network access:
With cloud computing you can access your data from any location, using any device with internet connectivity.
You can access your data through web browsers, on any of your devices whether Smartphone or laptop or desktop.
The infrastructure includes several servers installed at multiple locations, which helps to provide this vast network access.
- Resource sharing:
With cloud computing, several users can share the same space, the resources can be assigned, re-assigned, and distributed as required.
You can be located anywhere across the world but still be able to have equal access to the resources, as long as you have internet access.
- Easy accommodation:
The storage and the number of users on the cloud can be increased or decreased without affecting any of the current users and their information.
For example, if a business is experiencing high volumes of traffic, the cloud can be easily expanded for accommodating all the new requests.
- Calculated and Measured:
One can observe and scrutinize the usage of the cloud. Many cloud service providers have a pay-as-you-go model to ensure that their users get what is paid for.
Now that we have understood what is cloud computing in simple terms, let us know about the benefits of cloud computing.
Top benefits of cloud computing
- Cost Reduction
The capital expenditure of investing in hardware and software and setting them up is eliminated by cloud computing.
Setting up and running your own data centers involves costs of the racks of servers, expenditure on round-the-clock electricity for power and cooling, payment of salaries of the IT experts for managing the infrastructure, etc.
With cloud computing, you can eliminate all these expenditures and reduce the cost.
- Scalability
One of the key benefits of cloud computing is its scalability. In simple words, it means providing the right number of IT resources to the required location. For example, providing high or less computing power or storage or bandwidth where it is required in specific locations.
On-site datacenters generally require a lot of hardware setup, software patching, etc. By shifting data to Cloud computing, the IT teams would be able to spend more time on achieving other important business goals.
- Performance
The top cloud computing services run on a global network of data centers that are highly secure. These data centers are regularly upgraded and have the latest generation of computing hardware. These highly efficient and fast data centers offer several benefits over a single corporate datacenter.
- Backup and Recovery
With Cloud computing data backup, disaster recovery and business continuity become very easy and less expensive. Copies of data can be easily made and stored on the multiple sites on the cloud’s network.
- Data Security
The stringent policies, technologies, and controls of the cloud providers help strengthen your overall data security. They help protect and secure your data, apps, and infrastructure from possible threats or attacks.
Cloud Computing Services
Integral Choice is a Telecommunication and Cloud Agency that offers a wide range of cloud solutions that can accommodate any kind of business.
By integrating cloud solutions into your business practices you will be able to ensure usability and accessibility to your workforce.
Contact Integral Choice to enjoy the benefits of cloud computing.