The term cloud computing describes on-demand access, via the internet, to IT resources such as servers, applications (physical and virtual), development tools and data storage, networking capabilities and much more. They are hosted at a remote data center run by a cloud service provider. The cloud computing infrastructure is typically accessible by end users via secured connections. Cloud services can be accessed through a subscription or charging per use.
Companies that adopt cloud systems can reduce the costs and time associated with maintaining IT infrastructure, while freeing up IT staff to concentrate on more valuable work. The savings that a business will see will depend on the systems they decide to migrate to the cloud and what the cloud systems are replacing. A recent study found that IT and business professionals reported savings between 30 and 50% from moving to cloud.
There are a variety of cloud-based service models, such as Software as a Service(SaaS), Platform as a Serviceand Infrastructure as a Service. SaaS is the most familiar model and most likely the one that most businesses already use. It offers the application layer – software like CRM Office, email and CRM software–over the internet, thus eliminating the need to maintain or upgrade hardware.
Another advantage is the ease of which businesses can increase or decrease the size of their servers and disk space, only paying for the amount they require as they reference need it. This rapid elasticity is a crucial feature for efficient work processes and accelerating the introduction of new technologies into production. It also means IT departments don’t have to worry about buying or maintaining expensive hardware, and can trust their cloud vendors to keep up-to-date with the latest technology advancements.