Although at first when we hear about “the cloud” we can compare it with the definition of the Internet, it is not like that. The advantages of cloud computing go much further. It is a new model through which the user is allowed to use technology just when it is needed, without the need to install practically anything on the personal computer. Using the cloud also allows users to pay only for the technology they need at the time they are going to use it.
The beginning of cloud computing research is around 2006. In that year, large corporations such as Google or Amazon began to use the term cloud computing. The new term is used to define the new situation in which people access software, files, and data in general through the web more frequently. Instead of using their desktops.
To know more about cloud computing with Amazon, you can refer to the following article.
Cloud Computing, or cloud computing, comprises a series of technological services that are made available to any user. From anywhere. Virtually unlimited computing and storage power. Allowing to pay only for the use made of the service.
This new approach did not imply the creation of new technologies, but rather makes use of technologies such as the following:
- Virtualization
- Physical storage.
- Storage on the web.
- Data centers.
- Software over service (Saas).
- Web applications.
- Web operating systems.
The company responsible for the servers will be in charge of their maintenance, of preserving the databases. And solve all the associated aspects: connectivity, monitoring, growth, security, updates, etc.
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Cloud Computing Actors
The actors or participants in cloud computing are very diverse. The main players who benefit from the advantages of cloud computing are:
- Suppliers or vendors: they are those who provide the applications and the technology, infrastructure, platforms, and information necessary to carry them out. For example Amazon AWS, Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud.
- Supplier Partners: Bring suppliers and customers into contact. Your basic task is to create services for the cloud and offer and support them to customers. For example
- Cisco devices: switches, routers, cabling, etc.
- HP or IBM servers.
- Antivirus applications, antimalware software.
- Business leaders: they are in charge of evaluating cloud services to contract and implement them in their organizations.
- End-users: are those who finally use the services offered through the cloud, either for free or by making some type of payment (periodic or punctual).
Examples Of The Use Of Services
Here are some examples of the use of cloud computing services as tools to change habits and models of use of information technologies:
- Google: This large corporation has been including more and more complementary applications to its search engine. An example is found in Google Apps. Where Google offers services as varied as email, calendar, calendar, or office software through the cloud. These services are offered for free in their most basic version. Official Google Drive page.
- Azure Platform: It is an application development platform through the cloud developed by Microsoft. It offers a set of functionalities as varied as:
Windows Azure: Computing service for applications.
Windows Azure Storage: Non-relational data storage.
SQL Azure: Relational database in the cloud.
Windows Azure AppFabric: Access control service
- Amazon Web Services: It began by offering virtual storage and has gone on to create its own AWS (Amazon Web Services) infrastructure through which it offers global computing, database, analysis, application, and deployment services. All these services help companies to manage their information faster and at a lower cost in information technology. AWS official page.
In addition to the general advantages, in the business world, the advantages of cloud computing can be divided into five main groups: operational, economic, for the personnel, for the consumer, and for the provider.
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Operational Benefits
Operational benefits are those that are produced by the way the company operates, its action protocols, and the processes they carry out.
The main advantages of operational cloud computing that cloud computing can bring are the following:
- Reduced costs: The payment of the technology is incremental, so the organization reduces costs in the long term.
- Growing storage: The storage capacity in the cloud is much higher than that of a private network.
- Flexibility: Applications can be easily tested and deployed.
- Automation: Applications are automatically updated so that the organization’s staff can not worry about the expiration of versions and their installation and maintenance.
- Greater mobility: Access to the cloud can be done from any location from which an Internet connection is available.
- Greater productivity: By not having to worry about updating, maintaining, and improving applications and servers, IT professionals who are on the organization’s staff can dedicate the effort and time saved on other more fundamental tasks.
Economic Benefits
- Personnel: One of the great advantages of cloud computing is that hiring them saves time and investment in human resources. Therefore, the company can choose to save costs by dispensing with professionals. And thus improve specialization and productivity. An increase in the work intensity of specialized personnel in IT (information technology) is achieved. These staff will work on fundamental tasks or redeploy staff to other competencies and/or departments.
- Hardware: Costs and investments in physical components such as processors, networks, storage devices, and units, etc, are reduced … If more functionalities are needed, just hire them from the corresponding provider.
- Pay-per-use: Cloud computing allows the company to pay only for those services it uses at any given time. So that a better estimate of the necessary resources is achieved. This allows a faster correction of excess investment in resources or its lack.
- Rapid market penetration: The cloud makes it possible to obtain services and applications adjusted to the business model of any organization more quickly and easily. In this way, a company can more quickly bring its services to the market. Adapting to the needs of the market. Since no new infrastructure is required. Rather, it is only necessary to vary the contracting parameters of cloud computing services.
- Also Read: Cloud Technology -What Did This Pandemic Teach Us About The Cloud?
Benefits For Staff
- Even if there is a saving in terms of human resources of IT personnel, that does not mean reducing the headcount. The benefits of cloud computing for the staff of organizations multiply significantly with the use of cloud applications. Characteristics are the great ease of use and the low need for installation and maintenance.
- This greatly reduces training and learning time for employees who will be using the applications.
- Furthermore, it is common for applications used in web environments to promote more collaborative and participatory processes. In this line of work, these environments will promote teamwork. They will also promote the generation of incentives for workers.
Benefits For The Consumer
- They do not require any type of installation. Nor maintenance of the software to use the services, which is one of the greatest advantages of cloud computing.
- The deployment time is reduced. Since both servers and applications require little implementation time. Contrary to traditional methods.
- Adherence to the Service Level Agreement or SNA (SLA): This is a written contract between the service provider and its client. In this contract, a certain quality level is set. By adhering to this type of contract, the consumer is guaranteed a minimum quality at all times. For example, if there is an error in the execution of the applications, with the adherence to the SNA the provider will be responsible for the costs and their repair.
- Consumers will have updated applications at all times. Saving so much time, money, and employee training.
Provider Benefits
- Operating environment: The supplier provides its own operating environment. Consequently, you have the ability to manage, control, and optimize your infrastructure.
- Revenue stream predictability: Customers pay a minimum subscription fee for the use of services. This facilitates and speeds up the realization of income forecasts in the short and medium-term.
- Market research: With the data provided by customers and the use of the different services offered, the provider can carry out market research to better understand their behavior. Keep in mind that the software used by consumers is hosted on the provider’s servers. This makes data analysis easier.
- Update schedule: The vendor’s development team can more easily manage and schedule application and bug process management. So that updates, controls, and reviews are carried out continuously every certain period of time.
- Empowerment of relationship marketing: Another of the great advantages of cloud computing. Thanks to these services, providers can foster and enhance relationships with their customers. This is due to the fact that the subscription payment system facilitates the establishment of relationships more quickly and favors loyalty.
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