IT is everywhere now, from smartphones, social media apps, streaming services, and e-commerce. Therefore, these platforms produce data that goes to servers that could easily fill in an entire room. This is why the cloud is so convenient: it solves this issue by locating the data in remote servers.
However, this infrastructure needs maintenance from time to time, to reinforce its security and to prevent critical internal errors. Stay with us, in this article you’ll learn everything about IT and the importance of a cloud service.
- What are Cloud Services?
- Types of cloud computing
- Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
- Platform as a Service (PaaS)
- Software as a Service (SaaS)
- What are Managed IT services?
- Would you like to receive more information about our services?
1. Whatare Cloud Services?
Before we start, it is necessary to define what cloud computing is and its importance to the internet. While you are reading this article, the website is retrieving its data from a large series of databases. But, where are those databases? in a server that needs to be operative 24/7.
You can imagine that this implies a whole physical infrastructure to guarantee the proper sustainability of the server. Such as large electric installations, cool room temperatures, and some security protocols.
Some big corporations can afford this technological effort. But there is a better way to keep the resources safe: online storage. Some years ago, this idea could have sounded impossible but now it is reality and we all depend on these platforms.
Since its creation back in 2002, cloud storage was one of the game-changers in modern technology. This allows users to cut costs of maintenance and distribution without becoming experts on back-end server resources.
If you are an e-commerce owner, you would have to just hire this service with a cloud services provider and your entire platform would be safe. Or at least that’s the goal.
2. Types of cloud computing
Cloud computing it’s not like a single technological system, instead, you should compare it to a big spider web. There are three types of cloud computing:
- Public Cloud: it is the most recognizable form of the cloud, consisting of a virtual space owned by an outsourcing cloud provider. In exchange for a fee, this can be rented to host data. These companies offer the infrastructure and the services required for any platform to deploy its developments. It is for public access, usually on social media apps.
- Private Cloud: this cloud model is more controlled because it is meant for private use. Such as email storage, messaging apps, private photos, and videos apps, etc. This virtual environment is the best cloud storage model on the web. Therefore, any hack or cyberattack could lead to serious privacy leaks. Which eventually will end up in lawsuits because this affects directly the privacy of users.
- Hybrid Cloud: the hybrid approach is a combination of both public and private environments. It is for platforms that require this kind of system. This allows the two models to interact with each other effectively.
For a better understanding, we could think of cloud computing as a big pyramid composed of the following three layers:
- IaaS (Infrastructure as Service)
- PaaS (Platform as a Service)
- SaaS (Software as a service)
Each section of the pyramid is more complex than the other. Offering a huge variety of benefits specific built-in for certain tasks.
3. Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
IaaS is the most important and visible of the three. As we reviewed before, the infrastructure is stored somewhere and it should count with safety conditions. Cloud service providers have facilities with everything this technology needs to work properly. In other words, IaaS is an actual data center where servers are located.
Once the servers are inside these facilities, the clients can get to customize their equipment according to their needs. They can manage their own software or interfaces to improve their resources. The greatest benefit of using this cloud model is that clients only pay for the physical space of the infrastructure. So, they don’t have to build up expensive in-house infrastructure.
So yes, this is the best choice for small industries, such as startups. It represents a great alternative because it is an all-in-one solution. IaaS can suit perfectly in a public, private, or hybrid cloud service model.
Let’s review the benefits of IaaS:
- Pay per use only: perhaps it is the biggest benefit on this list. Some companies might adventure to build their own software and apps. But the expense will be much higher because there is a lot of unnecessary tools. IaaS provides a pay-per-use service to avoid misuse of resources. Most cloud services offer iCloud storage plans and it’s the best example of it.
- Data safety: the cloud-service environment is safer because it is enhanced with protocols that prevent the whole system to shut down if a specific server fails. This is a very important factor of every software deployment.
- Better scalability: scalability means that your product can adapt to any strategy you might use. In case of deploying a national wide marketing campaign, the cloud-based infrastructure could easily handle big levels of internet traffic. Without the need of acquiring new hardware or data centers.
4. Platform as a Service (PaaS)
So far, we reviewed that the data is based on online storage. But the PaaS model goes a little further, allowing the clients to upgrade their systems. PaaS provides the development tools to improve and create quickly new applications, websites, user interfaces, or back-end solutions.
Just like the IaaS, the provider delivers all the necessary things to retrieve data from the servers. As well as the maintenance of it without buying any hardware or software. This model is not replacing the IT department. On the contrary, it is a complementary technology.
If we take this to a simple analogy, IaaS is like a house to rent. While PaaS is the machinery and equipment necessary to repair or modify the house. But of course, the owner of the house operates the equipment.
PaaS can support and endure the whole lifecycle of the apps. From the building and testing phases to deployment and upgrading of features and versions. This is also very useful for version control.
This is a cloud platform service, so the whole PaaS environment is accessible from anywhere in the world. This allows programmers to team up from remote locations and work on the same project.
Next, we will present you with the most common reasons why organizations find it useful to implement a PaaS model:
- Development frameworks: there are so many frameworks out there and all of them have great features, but not all can fit the specific needs a company might have. PaaS comes with its own built-in framework, specially designed for the use of clients. This way they can repair, add, develop and deploy their own software.
- Quantitative data: every company needs access to analytics in order to make decisions based on calculated moves, PaaS provides all the required intelligence to mine their resources properly.
5. Software as a Service (SaaS)
We could compare this service to a pyramid. Well, we have reached the top of it. One cloud to rule them all. SaaS is the most effective way to deliver software and applications over the internet. This is a service using the cloud-based model.
In other words, this allows users to simply purchase the service and start using it. Without needing to install servers or any other complex infrastructure. It’s all online and ready to go. The cloud service provider will run the necessary hardware maintenance and development behind the screen.
Currently, it is the most popular business model in the app world. This is because it is targeted at people who don’t have the expertise or the financial resources. It is always complicated to deploy new apps and software from scratch. This could be used with public, private, or hybrid cloud computing models.
5.1 Characteristics of SaaS
- Multiclient architecture: all users share the same architecture with the same single base code. This is useful for innovation purposes because it removes the risk of unnecessary complications. However, every tenant will have the opportunity of customizing their software.
- Simple customization: it does not matter if the core is the same, clients will have the right to customize their software or app in any way they need, to fulfill their specific needs.
- Easy access from anywhere: the assertiveness of this model nailed the multiplatform principle of easy access and responsiveness. It can be accessed from any device connected to the internet. No matter if the client is logged in from a tablet, desktop computer, or smartphone.
- Admin interface: people with the responsibility of management within the organization share a powerful interface to monitor data use, add members, among many other features.
- Fast-growing software model: because this is proved to be the best cloud-service model, many companies and market leaders are shifting to use this technology. We can see it in the most popular social media apps.
6. What are Managed IT services?
Now we know what cloud computing is and the benefits of cloud computing. It’s time to move forward and see what Managed IT services are and why they’re so important.
Managed IT Services happens when a Managed Services Provider fulfills the responsibility on the platform of the client. In this outsourcing practice, the provider and client share a service-legal agreement.
Every company needs an IT department to run properly. And this outsourcing agreement fits perfectly for companies. The Managed Services Provider is now in charge of every technological aspect needed, including the online storage.
Server Monitoring, as well as computers or mobile devices, is one of the most basic uses of this service. Companies tend to require it for production purposes. Another use we can find highly popular is the migration of data from a website to another. A delicate process that could go catastrophically wrong with the slightest error.
For any company, this practice is a very efficient way to keep up with technology, while they can focus on their business. The providers have to stay up to date with new resources, frameworks, methodologies, etc. This practice saves time and money by letting the Managed Services Provider (MPS) take the responsibility.
6.1 Benefits of Managed IT Services
Many companies around the world choose these services because of the following benefits:
- Better time management: MS Providers usually work on different schedules according to their systems, which implies that some events like testing or deployments may occur without affecting the regular schedule of the client.
- Effectiveness: the stakes are high. There is a risk of losing information. The mere existence of companies depends on the correct management of these resources. This is why MSPs take it very seriously and work by the highest standards of quality to guarantee the best results.
- Service-legal agreement: the contractual terms of this agreement allow companies to trust their IT resources to a Managed Services Provider in exchange for a fee. Both the client and the provider establish a whole set of conditions and responsibilities.
- Better support in case of disasters: The infrastructure in the cloud is always prepared for accidents. So the companies who trust their infrastructure will always have the guarantee that their resources are safe. From power cuts and natural disasters or any other situation.
7. Would you like to receive more information about our services?
We know the vital importance of your IT environment. In Connect Tech, we are a powerful team of professionals, willing to guide you and help you with any tech problem you might have.
We specialize in a variety of services to keep your infrastructure safe and sound.
These are our services:
- Network and IT Infrastructure
- Cloud-based Services
- Cybersecurity strategies
- IT audits and Consulting
- Hosting solutions
Would you like to contact Connect Tech to obtain more information about Cloud-based services and IT solutions? If you have any questions, call us on +97143316688. You can email us at contact@connectech.dev, and you will talk to one of our representatives who will answer your questions.
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