There are so many aspects to the Cloud, that it is often misunderstood. Some clients want to move to the cloud or modernize their applications, but don’t know where to start. We have helped clients move to the cloud one software project at a time- Saving them money, time, and preserving their sanity.

The Cloud is a large network of inter-connected servers. It can be a handful, or thousands of servers running in one geographic location or across the globe. Each of these servers have a specific job to do, and some of those jobs are internal, but most are available with an internet connection.

Cloud computing is utilizing that network of remote servers. It is data and features that you can use anywhere at any time in any location. Cloud computing allows us to use remote servers to store a huge amount of data whilst not having to use complex, overly expensive resources. One aspect of the cloud is storage. It stores data securely so that it can be accessible at any time from any part of the world.  

There are different types of cloud computing systems.

SaaS - Software as a Service

SaaS applications can easily access your cloud system with minimal regulation as well as applications that use mobile and web. SaaS applications are all around us. Think your CRM (Customer Relationship Management), or popular food delivery apps, or ride service apps, or even Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant. All of these applications utilize cloud computing to provide you a seamless user experience. SaaS applications are reliable and easily accessible. The compatibility with systems and operational management with SaaS are unique and make the platform able to be used with a wide range of businesses in different industries due to the lower costs of having Saas into place and the benefits that SaaS helps produce. SaaS offers great opportunities for businesses to help expand, help workload for staff as well as making customer engagement better and increase customer satisfaction. 

IaaS - Infrastructure as a Service

This system is the most like on premise computing, but is cloud-based. With IaaS, the entire infrastructure can be in the cloud. Things like servers, storage, networking, and data centers are all considered part of it. On premise computing is located on the business’s property and is run by an individual rather than by a cloud-based server. With IaaS you rent your servers instead of owning them, which can save thousands per month for large implementations. Azure, and AWS are both IaaS providers.

PaaS - Platform as a Service

The last type of cloud computing is PaaS. This is between IaaS and SaaS.  This can include things like operating systems, development tools, code repositories, serverless implementations, CI/CD (Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment), and managed servers. PaaS gives our clients great control over their cloud environments and can provide tremendous value.

Most industries are already using cloud computing. It’s widely known as a computing and storage system that are available over the internet. Cloud computing helps with securing a business’s information, and can be designed to fit the specific company’s ideas or goals for the present as well as the future. Cloud computing is information technology resources put into a system. It’s the future of business because of the convenience and the practicality of it. You only pay for what you actually use. It’s all of your data in one place, it’s more secure, reliable, and the design is completely customizable. 

The possibilities with using cloud computing are endless. Cloud services are used all day, every day. From email services to Facebook or Instagram. We are a part of the cloud more so than not. The cloud is a modernized way of having all of your data in one place. It holds all of a business's information. It’s a compiled set of computers, computing your facts and figures. It’s elastic. You can expand the cloud in which way you see fit. It can give you as much information or as little information as possible. The cloud will continue to grow exponentially. It can grow with your business and keep everything together whilst providing better organization, easier workload and customer engagement. It can continuously provide support, stability and security, as well as continue to be custom built for your organization.

With all of the data, the cloud comes to the rescue and helps us store an unlimited amount of information. It’s critical to have cloud computing due to the efficiency and convenience of it. But not only that, the power that the cloud holds all together. The cloud allows for information to be constant, showcases the changes within your organization, updates data, collects information and can report changes needed.

The cloud provides us with the newer necessities that we didn't know we needed a decade ago.  The cloud represents our ever growing technological society and our need for data in all capacities. It's a powerful entity that makes life better for everyone. Cloud computing is for us all, not just businesses, and will continue to grow and dominate every business in every industry. It constantly changes to what we need and want - it has changed the mindset of what we think data can be, is and will be in the future. The cloud is bigger than what the physical mind could imagine. It goes beyond storage - it's advancing our society and creating endless, unlimited possibilities and solutions. 

One client we helped saw a dramatic rise in employee productivity and effectiveness due to the cloud. The call center spent approximately 40% less time on the phone with customers, allowing them to field more calls, and provide a better customer experience when they were on a call. We created tools for the business to process customer requests but more importantly provided cloud-based software for their customers to use. The cloud is not a magic bullet, but it comes close. It is a way to make your organization more effective and more efficient and will be here without a doubt, for a very long time.

Different aspects of cloud computing are important to understand, especially now due to their growing popularity. Mobile cloud computing and green cloud computing are newer to the scene but making their mark in industries across the globe. 

MOBILE CLOUD COMPUTING 

We know cloud computing to be on demand availability of IT resources, data storage and computing power. Mobile cloud computing is similar but different in that it involves mobile devices.Mobile cloud computing is portable. It’s meant to be accessible through mobile devices like smartphones and tablets. With this you can transmit data without a physical link.  Mobile cloud computing is all around us. Every time you take out your phone to get directions, or ask Siri a question, order food from your phone, or FaceTime you are using Mobile Cloud Computing.

“Mobile cloud computing uses cloud computing to deliver applications to mobile devices. These mobile apps can be deployed remotely using speed and flexibility and development tools. Mobile cloud applications can be built or revised quickly using cloud services. They can be delivered to many different devices with different operating systems, computing tasks, and data storage. Thus, users can access applications that could not otherwise be supported.” What is mobile cloud computing?

You can send, receive and see so much data, so quickly and all you need is internet access due to mobile cloud computing. It provides secure channels, data availability, accessibility, cost effectiveness and saves time. Both cloud computing and mobile cloud computing allow us to be able to view and receive data like nothing before. They have  revolutionized how we think of data, how we want data, and how quickly we get it. 

Green Cloud Computing

Although cloud computing has provided businesses and people with data unlike any way we’ve thought of or had before, it comes with its challenges. The cloud has provided us with opportunities but also has provided us with the challenge of the impact that it’s having on our environment. Green cloud computing focuses on developing computing solutions that are economically friendly. 

 “Green computing treats different aspects related to energy consumption such as computer devices, lighting energy, cooling system, networks energy consumption etc. Green Computing refers to the efficient use of computers and other technologies while respecting the environment through energy efficient peripherals, improved resources use and reduced electronic waste. These goals will not only make the resources more efficient but will also enhance the overall performance. It typically has two aspects- Software technology and Hardware. Software technology- the objective is to develop methods that help in attaining efficiency, storage and energy. Hardware aspect-  the purpose is to provide technologies which can not only minimize the consumption of energy but also make it economically efficient with the help of recycling.” Green Cloud Computing : Techniques every QA should know 

Our favorite cloud partner, Azure, has committed to reducing their impact on the environment. There is an entire section of their website devoted to Azure Sustainability. Moving to the cloud is better than on-premises hosting, according to a recent study The Carbon Benefits of Cloud Computing.

The data centers that function because of the cloud consume an abundance of power and release unwanted and unneeded chemicals in the air. Green cloud computing is trying to focus on making virtual data centers and servers to be energy efficient and actually good for the environment. As much as we love having information available to us quickly and easily, we have to remember that our data might be coming with a cost. Not financially but environmentally. 

Cloud computing as a whole is continuing to help businesses increase productivity, provide efficient systems, give businesses a strategic edge as well as allowing people to be able to receive and send data from devices like never before. Cloud computing showcases the continued growth of society's digital transformation. 

The cloud is the future.