Cloud Computing: Why is it so important to your business?

We are at a moment when making the leap to the digital environment is something that is no longer recommended and has become crucial. Companies recognize that transforming into the digital age allows them to remain competitive, and agility, scalability or remote access are just some of the factors that make the cloud the best ally for business.

The pandemic has made this need more evident, and change has accelerated further. However, according to Gartner, only 12% of companies are highly prepared to deal with the situation. Cloud migration immediately increases resilience and agility, while reducing time and cost spend.

Cloud spending is expected to reach $565 billion by 2021, making this the ideal time to take advantage of the full potential of this technology. Teleworking has been one of the big factors driving the cloud migration, and here we’ll tell you all the details.

What is Cloud Computing ?

Cloud Computing is defined as the technology formed by a global network of remote servers that allows data access, storage and processing over the Internet. Enables businesses and individuals to provide computing resources without the need to build an infrastructure in a particular location, such as the office or at home, or to use the computer’s hard drive.

Cloud Computing provides more flexibility, allowing access to data at any time and from anywhere, which is crucial for offshore teams or companies with different demands. This system can be accessed through any device connected to the Internet, which is a big plus for facilitating the work of companies of different sizes and essential in a globalized world.

The cloud uses the network to connect users’ peripheral devices, such as computers, smartphones, or tablets, to centralized data center resources. Before, to be able to run the software, companies had to pay for the maintenance of the infrastructure of the necessary servers, in addition to having an own IT team that could fix the errors that were emerging, the updates and the challenges. Now, these problems are solved with Cloud Computing.

Companies can scale and adapt to scale, accelerate innovation, drive business agility, optimize actions, and reduce costs. This means moving towards sustainable growth, but it also benefits us as individuals when we use social networks, we check bank accounts, we see content from platforms like Netflix…

Some of the most common uses of the cloud are:

• Store and manage data
• Run applications or software
• Video streaming
• Office software
• Social networks
• Provide services

Types of Cloud Computing

Some years ago, the difference between one cloud and another lay in location and ownership, but it’s no longer that simple. Needs and your budget may vary, so it’s very important to decide well what type of cloud fits you best.

Private Cloud

It is an environment designed for a single organization with its own cloud of servers and software for use without a public access point. Resources are not shared with other users outside the network and is the most common in a business environment.

Public Cloud

It is a cloud environment created from resources outside the end-user and where different companies can use simultaneously, but separately. Rented to a cloud hosting provider and where resources can be shared. Examples of Public Cloud are Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Google Cloud Platform (GCP).

Hybrid Cloud

It is composed of two or more distinct cloud infrastructures that are maintained as single entities but can be linked by standardized or proprietary technology. Has a certain level of portability, organization and management of common workloads and changes from public to private as needed.

Multiclouds

Also known as a community cloud, it is a system composed of more than one cloud (public or private) that can be networked. It’s very common among different companies or organizations that pool their cloud resources together to solve a common problem.

Cloud Computing Services

Backup as a Cloud Computing service

Backup as a Cloud Computing service consists of hosting backup copies of information in the cloud. This way, if there is any mishap, it is possible to recover that data with ease.

Data processing and storage

Every day, companies generate data and data that, after processing, storing and analyzing, help to discover new business trends.

Database management

Managing databases in the cloud allows faster access to information and from multiple points.

CRM

CRM (customer relationship management) is software that manages the relationship that the company has with the customer. CRMs contain a large amount of information about the company which, when analyzed, is ideal for the actions of the Sales and Marketing departments.

Virtual desktops

Through a virtual desktop, a user accesses an operating system hosted in the cloud. In this way it is possible, for example, to log on to the office computer from home.

Cloud Services

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

It provides users with cloud resources (computing, networking and storage) through a network connection and is paid per monthly subscription or a fee for the data capacity consumed. Organizations can leverage these raw server resources, giving them more capacity without worrying about hardware issues. The most popular example is DropBox.

Platform as a Service (PaaS)

This model leverages the benefits of the cloud, while maintaining the freedom to develop custom software applications. The provider is responsible for the maintenance of the operational system, the network, the servers and the security, but each company can develop its own applications. An example would be Google App Engine.

Software as a Service (SaaS)

Ofrece a los usuarios una aplicación completa, así como una plataforma en la que se ejecuta, además de la infraestructura de IT que se necesita. Se centra en hacer el acceso lo más sencillo posible por medio de una interfaz del navegador o programa. Es el modelo más popular y se estima que el 59% del total de las cargas de trabajo en cloud utilizan este modelo. Un ejemplo es el correo electrónico basado en web.

Benefits of using Cloud Computing services

As we said above, switching to the cloud has become a necessity for businesses that, at first wary of changing, have seen how the cloud migration has been the best decision. There is a great fear of being hacked, but the reality is very different, because the cloud offers much more security. Providers have put even more effort into strengthening security systems and always made data more secure than in any other system.

In addition, the cloud offers greater accessibility, in a simpler way for workers and decreases the speed drops and the possibility of the server overloading. And it is not the only thing, because another of the great advantages is the drastic reduction of costs, since it is no longer necessary to have a data center in situ, the costs of the building disappear, electricity, servers, network, staff…

Other benefits are:

• Availability 24/7
• Low cost
• Flexibility
• Security
• Rapidity
• Access to information from anywhere
• Real-time information
• Customized on-demand
• Cross-Platform
• Monitoring
• User experience
• Unified communication

What does Cloud Computing bring to digital transformation processes?

You have already seen all the advantages that Cloud Computing can offer you, but if you still have doubts, we give you more reasons to migrate your data to the cloud.

Cloud platforms free businesses from the need for training and knowledge required to manage and evolve computer systems as complex as they are today. In addition, the cloud is conceived in a global environment, which breaks with the space barriers that many companies encounter when it comes to expanding in other countries.

The high availability, the scalability, and the resilience are other advantages that translate in that the investment in acquisition, start-up, and growth of my services, is much inferior to the traditional one. The cloud allows us to increase production, eliminate time or place limitations, and, most importantly, makes us place ourselves in a privileged position in a digital era in which it is so important to adapt to remain competitive.

Plain Concepts and Cloud Computing services

Plain Concepts has a long experience in cloud computing services. The cloud environments we create feature the latest technologies and comply with the latest regulations to achieve the highest levels of security.

Proof of our expertise in cloud computing services is our Microsoft Gold Cloud Platform certification. This guarantees our experience in updating our clients’ technological infrastructures and in app and data migrations.

In addition, thanks to the Microsoft Gold Cloud Platform recognition, we have benefits for our work with customers, such as marketing programs, product licensing or technical pre-sales services.

On the other hand, we also work with other public clouds, such as those of Amazon and Google, mentioned above.

Among the cloud computing services we offer are:

• Management delegation. We can manage your company’s cloud services.
• Mentoring, training, and consulting. Finally, we work with your employees to facilitate the technological change and implement a new mentality about this change.
• Ongoing platform modernization. As technology or needs change, your platform will be updated and we will explain the changes to you.
• Thanks to our expertise in data and all the information you collect, we can prepare your platforms and cloud infrastructures to obtain interesting business metrics.

Need help with your cloud computing services?

Cloud computing services are essential for companies working on their digitization and innovation, and will be even more so in the coming years.

If you are betting on cloud services, we can help you both to implement them and to train your employees to internalize their virtues and take advantage of their potential.