Cloud services became very popular lately. This is because they offer many advantages over having your own infrastructure. Of course, this is not a solution for everyone, but it is worth knowing the reasons why migrating to the cloud might be a good idea.
What are public cloud services?
A public cloud is a service in which the owner of a data center enables companies and private users to use the computing power of their servers. However, they are not strictly assigned to customers.
Computers work closely together to form a “single organism” and are divided into virtual servers. For the client, this means that he can have access at any time to the computing power or disk space he needs. They are not limited to one machine.
There are three types of cloud services:
- SaaS (Software as a Service)
This service allows customers to access software hosted in the cloud. They don’t need to install it, only internet access is required. Thanks to this, companies save on the need to invest in licenses (as in the case of Office 365 or Adobe Cloud).
Another case is SaaS online stores (such as Shopify), where the client doesn’t need to create his own website and host it but receives access to a ready-made solution.
- PaaS (Platform as a Service)
In the PaaS model, the cloud services company gives the client access to the infrastructure, along with the software that can be used by him to create his own solution. PaaS is used by companies that want to create and run their applications in the cloud without having to manage the infrastructure. The supplier, it is necessary to provide computing power and an appropriate technological stack, updated regularly.
- IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service)
IaaS lets the company transfer its entire IT infrastructure to the cloud. The client gains access to the computing power and disk space of the provider’s servers. He pays for the resources used that adapt to his needs. This is the service we will focus on.
Why choose IaaS?
- Savings
It is unnecessary for you to invest in your own infrastructure, so you save on the cost of purchasing and maintaining computers. You only pay for the using resources (pay-as-you-go model). You will also avoid buying redundant computers, which resources might not be necessary.
- Flexibility
In IaaS, the computing power of servers and disk space will adapt to your needs. If the website traffic or the amount of data needed for storage increases, the cloud can handle it with no problems. Thanks to this, your business will develop without any obstacles.
Of course, in the event of a sudden increase in demand (e.g. when the website becomes popular quickly), you will receive a larger bill. However, you will avoid a situation when the website is no longer available to users because of the lack of your servers’ resources and the need to quickly buy more computers.
- No need of managing the infrastructure
The service provider handles software updates and maintenance of server systems. You can focus on your core business without having to worry about these issues yourself and risk making a mistake here.
- Reliability
If one of the cloud computing provider’s servers fails, its tasks are quickly taken over by another device. Data is also constantly copied between servers, therefore the malfunction of one computer does not lead to loss of data access.
- Availability
Currently, remote work is becoming more and more popular. Thanks to IaaS, employees can access files from anywhere. All they need is internet access, so their work can become more flexible.
- Security
In IaaS, the security of the cloud is supervised by extensive teams of experts of the service provider. They monitor threats and implement the most up-to-date security procedures. You could find it difficult to create such a team on your own, or it would be very costly.
You also get access to security tools such as firewalls or anti-malware software. In addition, you protect yourself against ransomware, as cybercriminals cannot block you from accessing the company’s data. All the data are real-time backed up from employees’ computers to cloud servers.
Popular IaaS Providers
- Amazon Web Services (AWS)
This is the most popular IaaS service. It is valued for reliability and data centers scattered around the world, which means greater speed and availability of services. AWS provides high-class APIs, allowing for convenient server maintenance. Its servers have excellent parameters, and you can use Ethernet connection speeds of up to 400 Gb/s.
Besides IaaS, AWS also offers PaaS and SaaS services, which makes the platform very useful. The client can not only maintain the company’s infrastructure on servers but also his own software and use external applications.
- Microsoft Azure
Microsoft Azure has an easy-to-use interface and eliminates many server maintenance activities. It provides clients with very high-performance servers with Windows and Linux operating systems.
Azure allows you to run quick virtual machines (VM) with high disk capacity. The cloud can be integrated with Microsoft solutions such as Office365 or SharePoint.
- Google Cloud
The cloud solution created by Google is highly configurable, and some complex operations can be carried out by a service provider. Configuring IaaS is simple. You are provided with ready-to-use configurations and can quickly start working with the solution. An intuitive migration tool is available too.
Google Cloud service is associated with other companies’ solutions, e.g. data analysis tools. It is also a bit cheaper than the competition.
So, should you choose the cloud?
As you see, there are plenty of benefits of migrating your infrastructure to the cloud. However, if you decide to do so, remember to choose your solution provider carefully. For example, aspects such as service availability are crucial. Without your own infrastructure, you have no influence on whether the servers will work flawlessly. Therefore, pay attention to the reputation of the service provider.
Some companies that process user data are also concerned about storing it in the cloud. The solution may be a hybrid cloud, where some data is stored on local servers and some (less sensitive) in the public cloud. Private clouds are also used, but they require building extensive infrastructure on your own.
IaaS seems to be a suitable solution for companies of all sizes looking for flexibility, scalability, and cost reduction. It allows you to save on the purchase and maintenance of servers and ensures high reliability or security. Therefore, it is worth considering migration to the cloud or deciding to use it from the very beginning of the business.
