Cloud computing can play a surprisingly major role in the growth of small businesses. But what is cloud computing, and how can it help my small business? Is it affordable, and will it improve productivity? Let’s find out as we explore the role of cloud computing in small business growth.
What is Cloud Computing?
Cloud computing is a method of accessing computer services, such as storage, software, and databases, over the internet, or from the cloud, rather than on a local computer or server. There are 3 main types of cloud computing which are public cloud, private cloud, and hybrid cloud.
Cloud computing services tend to be classified into 4 main deployment models: IaaS, which is Infrastructure as a Service, PaaS, which is Platform as a Service, and SaaS, which is Software as a Service.
Infrastructure as a Service provides on-demand access to computing resources such as servers, storage, and networking. Users manage their individual operating systems, applications, and data, but the provider of the cloud provides the underlying infrastructure.
Platform as a Service offers a complete and ready-to-use platform that is hosted by the cloud and is used for developing, managing and running applications. With PaaS, users can focus on the deployment and development of their applications without having to worry about managing the infrastructure.
Software as a Service provides access to applications that are hosted by the cloud and are ready to be used immediately. Users can access the software through a web browser or mobile app, which eliminates the need to install software or manage it on their own systems.
The Differences Between the Three Clouds
The three clouds differ from each other in their accessibility, use cases, and ownership.
Public cloud is accessible to the public over the Internet, managed by a third-party provider and is ideal for applications that require a high level of scalability, flexibility and cost-effectiveness.
On the other hand, the private cloud is only accessible by a single organisation. Private cloud can be managed by the organisation itself or by a third-party provider, and is suitable for highly sensitive data, regulatory compliance, or organisations that require greater levels of control over their infrastructure.
A hybrid cloud is a combination of public and private cloud resources, which allows data and applications to move between them. Hybrid cloud is managed by a combination of the organisation itself and third-party providers. Hybrid cloud is ideal for organisations that need flexibility, scalability, and security to allow them to leverage the strengths of both public and private clouds.
Strategy with Cloud Computing
Whilst there are a range of benefits that come with using cloud computing within a small business, the most strategic benefits include the reduced upfront IT costs, on-demand scalability, increased flexibility and agility and improved business continuity. Your data is heavily encrypted and backed up with whatever cloud model you choose, and cloud computing offers cost-efficient and pay-as-you-go pricing models. You save space and energy as well as having lower maintenance costs. Find your new business today with cloud computing.
