Cloud computing refers to the delivery of IT resources and services over the internet. Instead of storing data locally on hard drives or running applications on computers and servers located in an office, cloud computing moves technology to the “cloud.” This means using remote data centers managed by cloud service providers such as Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform, and others.
What are the main advantages of cloud computing?
Flexibility and Scalability
Because cloud services are available on demand over the internet, businesses can quickly increase or decrease their computing resources based on current needs. There is no need for upfront investment in hardware or software. Moreover, servers and storage spaces can be added instantly as your needs grow.
Cost Reduction
Cloud solutions are also cheaper compared to maintaining your local IT infrastructure. You only pay for the resources you use, so if your needs change, your costs also change. And there is no large upfront capital expenditure for hardware, data centers, or IT staff.
Automatic Updates and Reduced Maintenance
Cloud services are managed remotely by cloud providers, so there is minimal maintenance required from businesses. Software and applications are automatically updated by cloud providers, which reduces the need for user intervention.
High Availability and Fault Tolerance
Because cloud providers monitor their data centers and have organized disaster recovery strategies, cloud solutions have high availability and strong fault tolerance. As a result, their downtime and data loss are minimized.
What types of cloud computing services are there?