Since the turn of the century, the world of technology has grown tremendously. This phenomenon has been necessitated by a high degree of innovation, as well as the increasing appetite for high quality goods and services among consumers. This has increased pressure on technology developers to come up with innovative products that will meet this need.
In the recent past, cloud based technology has gained considerable ground owing to the numerous challenges it has helped businesses solve. The concept entails an information-sharing model where different users can access and use data or elements that are in a centralised system. It allows businesses to reduce their cost of managing data because all the information is stored in a central server that requires minimal maintenance. A good example of cloud-based technology is mobile applications, which are designed in a manner that a user can access an array of products and services from one tool. Another advantage of cloud-based technology is that it allows such applications to run at a good pace because the information available in the cloud can be adjusted easily in line with the changing user demands.
Several service models are applicable with cloud computing technology. They include Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), Software as a Service (SaaS) and Mobile “backend” as a Service (MBaaS). IaaS entails online services that rent out hardware resources using virtualisation technology. This could include a multi tenant approach to sharing computing power, storage or networking. PaaS on the other hand, takes it further an also includes the software tools to enable application development. SaaS entails the ability of a consumer to use the applications available on a cloud. In most cases, the consumer often pays a fee to use the applications depending on the pricing model the cloud managers choose to apply. In MBaaS, developers of various applications are able to link their tools directly with cloud storage in such a way that services such as integration of an application with a social networking site is possible on the users end.
According to technological experts, cloud technology is deployed using various models depending on the user needs. The first model is a private cloud, which entails systems designed to serve a single business, regardless of the person tasked with managing and hosting it. This model is very challenging because it requires a developer to have an adequate comprehension of the business environment in order to reduce its vulnerability to security breaches.
The second model is a public cloud, which entails services accessed through a network that is set for use by the public. In most cases, such services are rendered with minimal charges. One of the biggest challenges with public clouds is the security of the information because unknown networks can easily gain access.
The third model is called a hybrid cloud that entails a combination of two or more clouds. In addition, the cloud is supported by different service providers. The fourth model is a community cloud that involves a situation where several businesses are using certain information from the same community to achieve different results. Some of the major concerns for a community cloud include security, compliance by the different users, and jurisdiction in terms of data management.
Some of the key benefits for businesses to move to the cloud include the ability to scale without a huge outlay of cash. Switching to a cloud service can also be done without a costly upgrade as most of the time as services can coexist in parallel. It also enables businesses to have a greater agility, allowing to scale up or down application or network resources without much intervention.