Definition

Cloud computing refers to the supply of computer services—such as storage, processing power, databases, networking, software, and more—over the internet, often known as "the cloud."
 

Description

Cloud computing is an innovative technique that places computing resources and services at your fingertips. Instead of dealing with the complexities of actual hardware and infrastructure, you can use virtualized resources provided by cloud service providers. These pay-as-you-go resources include processing power, storage, databases, networking, software, and more.

Different types of Cloud computing models are :

1. Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): IaaS offers virtualized computer resources via the internet. Cloud providers offer users the ability to rent virtual computers, storage, and networking infrastructure, allowing them to deploy and administer operating systems, applications, and frameworks.
2. Platform as a Service. (PaaS): PaaS provides a platform for developers to create, deploy, and manage applications without the need for underlying infrastructure management. Cloud providers offer development tools, middleware, databases, and other services to help simplify application development and deployment.
3. Software as a Service (SaaS): SaaS provides software applications via the internet on a subscription basis. Users can access and use software applications hosted on cloud infrastructure without requiring installation or maintenance. SaaS applications include email services, customer relationship management (CRM) software, and collaborative tools.

Benefits of cloud computing for startups

Cloud computing represents a significant departure from the usual way businesses think about IT resources. 

Here are seven typical reasons why businesses are choosing cloud computing services.
 

1. Companies can save money on IT by moving to the cloud. This is because cloud computing eliminates the capital cost of purchasing hardware and software, as well as the setup and operation of onsite data centres—server racks, round-the-clock power and cooling, and IT experts to manage the infrastructure. It adds up quickly.
2. Most cloud computing services are self-service and on-demand, so even massive amounts of computing resources may be delivered in minutes, usually with only a few mouse clicks, offering enterprises a lot of flexibility and relieving the burden of capacity planning.
3. Cloud computing services provide the ability to scale elastically. In simple terms, it implies delivering the appropriate quantity of IT resources—for example, more or less computing power, storage, and bandwidth—at the right time and from the correct geographic location.
4. The largest cloud computing services are delivered via a global network of secure data centres that are continually upgraded to the most recent generation of fast and efficient computer gear. This has various advantages over a single corporate datacenter, including lower network latency for applications and increased economies of scale.
5. Many cloud providers provide a comprehensive set of rules, technologies, and controls to improve your overall security posture, thereby protecting your data, apps, and infrastructure from potential threats.

How does the cloud work?
 

Cloud Storage saves data on remote servers, including files, corporate data, movies, and photographs. Users upload data to servers via an internet connection, which is then saved on a virtual computer on a physical server. 

To ensure availability and redundancy, cloud companies frequently distribute data over numerous virtual computers in data centres situated across the world. If storage requirements increase, the cloud provider will deploy additional virtual computers to handle the strain. 

Users can access Cloud Storage data using an internet connection and software such as a web portal, browser, or mobile app via an application programming interface (API).
 

You can have 4 different kinds of cloud storage:

1. Private cloud storage is a framework in which an entity uses its own servers and data centres to store data on its own network. Corporations can work with cloud service providers to provide dedicated servers and private connections that are not shared with other organisations. Private clouds are often used by enterprises that need more control over their data and have strict compliance and security standards.
2. Public cloud storage is a policy in which a company stores data in a service provider's data centres, which are also used by other businesses. Data in public Cloud Storage is distributed across various regions and is often available on a subscription or pay-as-you-go basis. Public Cloud Storage is deemed "elastic," which means that the data stored can be scaled up or down to meet the demands of the company.
3. A hybrid cloud model combines private and public cloud storage models. A hybrid cloud storage strategy enables enterprises to choose which data to store in which cloud. Sensitive data and data that must fulfil stringent compliance criteria may be stored in a private cloud, whilst less sensitive data is hosted in the public cloud. A hybrid cloud provides flexibility while still allowing enterprises to grow up to the public cloud as needed.
4. A multi-cloud storage model allows an organisation to set up multiple cloud models from different cloud service providers (public or private). Organisations may choose a multi-cloud model if one cloud vendor provides certain proprietary apps, data must be stored in a specific country, multiple teams are trained on different clouds, or the organisation must meet requirements not stated in the servicers' Service Level Agreements. A multi-cloud strategy gives enterprises flexibility and redundancy.

Emerging trends in cloud computing in 2024
 

Some emerging trends of cloud computing in 2024 include:

• Introduction of Citizen Developer

The first cloud computing trend is the advent of citizen developers. The Citizen Developer concept extends the potential of connected technologies to people who cannot code. Tools like If This Then That made it possible for ordinary people (those of us who haven't spent four years studying computer science) to connect popular APIs and develop customised automation.

• Automation

The ability to automate is Cloud's secret sauce. When done correctly, automation can boost your delivery team's efficiency, improve system and network quality, and lower the chance of delayed systems or downtime. The difficulty is that automation is not simple. As investment in citizen developer tools and AI grows, more devices will be deployed to make automation more easier with cloud vendors.

• Competition

The number one cloud computing trend for 2024 is greater competition among AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform. The competition will occur in three separate ways:

• Pricing and Financial incentives.
• Reliability
• Other merchants

Lowering costs is the fastest approach to remove investment barriers. The paradigm introduced by AWS (pay for what you use) will be applied to all services and will replace subscription models. Expect all cloud providers to provide tools that clearly disclose resource utilisation and the service's per-byte pricing.

Example

Assume you're a small business owner who wants to open an internet store to offer handmade jewellery. You use cloud computing services instead of purchasing and maintaining your own servers and IT infrastructure.

You sign up for a cloud-based e-commerce platform with website hosting, payment processing, and inventory management features. Using the platform's user-friendly interface, you can rapidly create an online store, upload product photographs and descriptions, and manage pricing and delivery details.

As your online store grows and client traffic increases, the cloud platform automatically scales its resources. This dynamic scaling function keeps your website responsive and available to clients, even during peak shopping periods.

Incorporating cloud-hosted customer relationship management (CRM) software into your e-commerce platform allows you to track client interactions and manage marketing campaigns from any device with an internet connection. This accessibility will enable you to personalise marketing messages and increase client interaction wherever you are.

FAQ

What are cloud-based applications?

Cloud-based applications, often known as Software as a Service (SaaS), are hosted and supplied via the Internet by cloud service providers. Instead of installing and maintaining software on their own devices, users can access and use cloud-based applications via a web browser or thin client. Cloud-based apps include email, productivity suites, CRM software, and collaboration capabilities.

What are the key features of cloud computing?

Cloud computing offers several key features, including:

• Scalability: Users can instantly increase or decrease their computer capacity based on demand, providing flexibility and cost savings.
• Cost-Effectiveness: Cloud computing eliminates the need for upfront hardware investment while lowering operational costs associated with maintenance, updates, and IT infrastructure management.
• Accessibility: Cloud services may be accessible from anywhere with an internet connection, allowing for remote work, collaboration, and easy access to information.
• Reliability and Redundancy: Cloud companies provide high availability and redundancy across geographically spread data centers, assuring data longevity and reducing downtime.
• Security: Cloud providers use strong security measures to protect data and resources, such as encryption, authentication, and access control.
• Flexibility: Cloud computing enables a variety of deployment types, including public, private, and hybrid clouds, allowing businesses to customize their cloud environments to meet their individual needs.