The way we share, and exchange information now drives everything we do as we live in the age of digital information, with cloud at its core. In fact, the emergence of cloud technology solutions has been a real game-changer. Cloud technology has revolutionised the way we store and access information, making it easier and more efficient to collaborate remotely. This has led to increased productivity and cost savings for businesses of all sizes. This article hopes to guide people and businesses who are in the process of selecting the right end-to-end cloud solutions to accelerate their migration as part of their digital transformation.
By providing these insights and recommendations, readers can make informed decisions on which cloud-based solutions are most suitable for their needs. And with the right end-to-end cloud migration solutions in place, businesses can unlock new opportunities for growth and innovation in today’s digital age.
A Brief History: Where did ‘cloud’ come from?
You might have heard of Google’s Eric Schmidt’s reference to Google services as belonging “in a cloud somewhere,” in the 2006 Search Engine Strategies Conference. There’s another rival claim where the programmer and Silicon Valley pundit Dave Winer referred to the internet as a “cloud” of computers in a 2001 NYT article. On the other hand, Technology Review article in 2011 suggested that the term cloud computing was coined at a 1996 meeting of Compaq Computer executives in Houston. However, TechTarget suggested that it was Andy Hertzfeld who first described cloud as a collection of remotely executing applications and service.
They were all right.
While the term cloud has been widely used by early internet designers in the 1960s, it became widespread around the early 2000s. Modern cloud services emerge such as virtual infrastructure resources and development platforms accommodate the rapid growth of online commerce and business productivity applications.
Dropbox, Google Drive, and iCloud were our first taste of the cloud. They have replaced USB sticks for file sharing and local hard drives for backup. Business use cases soon followed as virtual storage overtook enterprise data centers. For instance, S3 and Azure Storage, SaaS backup products and low-cost IaaS storage services, were used as off-site and remote disaster recovery storage.
What is cloud technology?
To put it more simply, “the cloud” is a metaphor for virtual data storage where individuals and organisations can back up their files and other digital resources.
Cloud computing technology enables users to access digital resources stored in virtual space via networks, so they can share and exchange information and applications without geographical location restrictions.
On the other hand, cloud solutions are the internet-based delivery of computing resources such as software, storage, and processing power. Third-party companies manage and maintain the necessary infrastructure to provide these services.
Types of cloud computing
Cloud computing can be deployed in diverse ways depending on what services a business need. Cloud computing can be classified into three types:
1. Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
IaaS provides virtual machines, storage, and networking to organisations so that they can host their own applications and services. The operating systems, apps, and data on the infrastructure can all be managed and controlled by the customer.
2. Platform as a Service (PaaS)
Without needing to understand the specifics of the underlying technology architecture, PaaS customers can create, deploy, and manage their applications. The tools and services offered by the platform make it possible to create and launch software applications.
3. Software as a Service (SaaS)
With SaaS, the software vendor hosts and maintains the application for the user. The supplier takes care of software upkeep, patching, and security, while customers access it via a web browser or application programming interface.
In addition, various other cloud computing models exist, including:
1. Function as a Service (FaaS)
Using FaaS, or serverless computing, clients can run scripts in reaction to events without worrying about the underlying infrastructure. Only the time and storage space used by a customer’s workload are considered when calculating a bill.
2. Desktop as a Service (DaaS)
Customers can use DaaS to have access to desktops that are hosted in the cloud. This allows employees to work remotely and access the same desktop environment from any device.
3. Storage as a Service (STaaS)
STaaS provides customers with storage space in the cloud for storing and accessing data. The service provider takes care of upkeep, upgrades, and security, and customers just pay for the space they utilise.
In a nutshell, cloud computing provides an extensive range of services and models that businesses can use to their advantage, from the essentials to comprehensive software solutions, virtual desktops, and data storage.
Why does cloud matter?
As of 2022, two-thirds of Australian organisations already have cloud workloads running in production, and the cloud market is expected to grow by 12.5% to hit $14.1bn in 2025. Moreover, enterprise expenditure on cloud in the country is being driven by trends such as the adoption of remote work, the automation of critical business processes, and the reliance on digital channels for consumer interactions.
The importance of cloud computing stems from its many advantages, including cost savings, scalability, accessibility, innovation, security, sustainability, and competitive advantage. It enables enterprises to be more productive, competitive, and efficient in today’s fast-paced and ever-changing business environment.
End-to-end cloud solutions matter for several reasons:
- Cost Savings – Because businesses only pay for the resources they use, cloud computing can be less expensive than traditional on-premises solutions. This eliminates the need for businesses to invest in expensive hardware and software.
- Scalability – Cloud computing enables businesses to scale up or down in response to fluctuating demand and traffic surges.
- Accessibility – Cloud computing enables businesses to access their applications and data from any Internet-connected location, facilitating remote work and team collaboration.
- Innovation – Cloud computing enables businesses to rapidly test out new concepts and technologies without needing to make significant infrastructure or resource investments.
- Security – Providers of cloud computing typically invest heavily in security measures to secure customer data and ensure regulatory compliance.
- Sustainability – Cloud computing can be more sustainable than traditional on-premises solutions because it enables businesses to use resources more efficiently and reduce their carbon footprint.
- Competitive Advantage – Cloud technology can offer businesses an edge over their competitors by enabling them to be more agile, responsive, and innovative than their rivals.
Cloud computing offers many advantages, but there are also some disadvantages to consider.
- Internet dependence means that businesses may experience downtime or performance issues if their internet connection is disrupted.
- Vendor dependence to maintain and secure their data can be a concern for some businesses.
- Data security, especially the risk of data breaches or unauthorised access to customer data despite robust security measures
- There are compatibility issues with some applications, which can create challenges for businesses.
- Control and customisation may limit the level of control and customisation that businesses have over their applications and data.
Best practices when hiring a third-party cloud services provider
There are several best practises to follow when hiring a third-party end-to-end cloud solutions provider to ensure that the provider is reliable, secure, and able to meet your business’s requirements.
- Perform due diligence before hiring a cloud services provider.
- Clearly define your business requirements to help you identify the right provider that can best meet your needs.
- Review contracts carefully and make sure that the contract meets your business needs and complies with relevant regulations.
- Develop a risk management plan that identifies potential risks and vulnerabilities associated with cloud services.
- Establish clear communication channels with the cloud service provider.
- Continuously monitor the performance of cloud services.
The future of cloud computing
Many businesses’ IT infrastructure already relies heavily on cloud computing, and cloud migration is only projected to accelerate going forward.
Here are some of the trends that are likely to shape the future of cloud solutions:
1. Hybrid Cloud Solutions
Hybrid cloud solutions that combine public cloud, private cloud, and on-premises infrastructure are becoming increasingly popular among businesses. With this method, businesses will have more options when deciding how to deploy their apps and workloads.
2. Multi-Cloud Management
The requirement for efficient multi-cloud administration is expected to grow as more businesses utilise numerous cloud services. To accomplish this, you’ll need to coordinate the efforts of several cloud services, watch over the safety and integrity of your data, and minimise your cloud bills.
3. Edge Computing
Edge computing is a distributed computing model that brings computation and data storage closer to the location where they are needed. More applications, especially those that need low latency and real-time data processing, are expected to adopt this strategy.
4. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
To encourage business adoption, cloud service providers will integrate AI and ML into their infrastructure.
More companies are moving to the cloud in hopes of improving their capacity for creativity, adaptability, and cost efficiency. This bodes well for the future of cloud technology.