Cloud Services
Refers to services provided over the Internet and made available to users on demand. It covers a wide range of resources that enable users to deploy various types of cloud services. Cloud services include migration, deployment, customization, private and public cloud integration (hybrid cloud) and managed hosting. These services can scale to meet the requirements of its users and enable them to focus on their core businesses instead of allocating own resources.
Frequently Asked Questions.
Cloud services are services that are made available to people and businesses via the internet. This typically includes software (e.g., Microsoft Dynamics), infrastructure (e.g., a virtual private cloud, or container storage) or a platform (e.g. Microsoft Azure). Cloud services are usually paid for on a subscription basis, which means they can be easily scaled up or down by businesses as required. A major benefit of cloud services is that they also don’t require any physical infrastructure – other than a computer and an internet connection. This means they can be accessed very quickly, and the business can minimise its cost overheads.
There are a range of reasons why businesses choose cloud services over relying on traditional, on-premise solutions. Cloud services are:
- Quick and easy to get started – once you’re set up, it’s simply a case of individual users logging in. There is no physical infrastructure to purchase, install and maintain.
- Accessible anywhere you have an internet connection – meaning people can access the information and tools they need wherever and whenever they are working.
- Scalable and flexible – most cloud services providers allow you to increase or decrease your consumption at any time based on changes in the market or your number of users.
- Secure – cloud services are centrally and regularly updated, which means your IT team doesn’t have to worry about patches or manually updating your infrastructure, software or platforms.
- Cost-effective – as cloud services don’t require any costly up-front infrastructure or maintenance they can be more cost-effective.
- Backed up and recoverable – in the event of a disaster, your tools and applications can be quickly and easily restored as they’re securely backed up by your cloud services provider.
Generally, cloud services fall into three main categories:
- Software-as-a-service (SaaS) – which is where the software that your employees use is provided via the cloud, rather than installed on their device.
- Infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) – which includes the infrastructure needed to provide and manage SaaS tools.
- Platform-as-a-service (PaaS) – which provides a cloud-based environment where developers can built apps.