The term “cloud computing” may be familiar among professionals and many have taken advantage of it. Cloud computing, for additional information, is an internet service that offers significant data storage capacity.
However, do you fully understand the definition, working mechanism and benefits of cloud computing?
Let us explain in more detail about cloud computing technology for a deeper understanding. Check out the following article about Cloud Computing, its types and benefits in your business.
What is Cloud Computing?
Cloud Computing is a technology that allows users to access and store data and applications on online servers, instead of storing them on local hard drives or private servers. The basic concept is to use the internet as a “cloud” where we can retrieve, modify, and store information without worrying about the storage capacity and computing power of our own devices.
The main advantages of Cloud Computing are flexibility and cost efficiency. With this service, companies and individuals do not need to invest heavily in IT infrastructure, but only pay according to use. Additionally, cloud-based services offer high scalability, allowing users to adjust storage capacity and computing power as needed. Furthermore, with Cloud Computing, access to data becomes easier and can be done from anywhere, at any time, as long as there is an internet connection.
In today’s digital era, Cloud Computing has become the backbone of many technological innovations. From startups to large corporations, many are turning to cloud-based technology to increase efficiency, collaboration and mobility in their operations. As consumers, we have also enjoyed the benefits of this service, such as when using email, storing photos online, or even working remotely.
How Cloud Computing Works
Cloud computing is a computing service technology that empowers users to access and run data and applications via the internet network. To understand how cloud computing works, we must understand its two main components: frontend and backend.
Frontend: User Interface
Frontend is the face of cloud computing that directly interacts with users. Typically, this frontend is represented by a website, application, or special platform interface that is specifically designed to facilitate users in accessing and using cloud-based services. Through this frontend, users can send requests or access the desired data.
Backend: The Heart of Cloud Computing
The backend is the core of cloud computing, which is responsible for processing all requests coming from the frontend. This is the part that contains the technical infrastructure, including computers, servers, data storage systems, as well as the software required to run the service. When there is a request from a user, the backend processes, executes, and then sends the results back to the frontend.
Illustration of How It Works
Let’s look at a simple illustration to understand the cloud computing workflow:
- Suppose you want to access photos stored in the cloud. You open the cloud storage application on your device. Through the app, you send a request to access the photo.
- This request is then forwarded to the backend via the frontend. On the backend, the system will search for and retrieve the desired photos.
- Once found, the backend will send the photo back to the frontend, where it is then displayed via an app on your device.
- Thus, cloud computing makes it easier for us to access and run data or applications without having to have physical infrastructure directly, simply through internet connectivity
Types of Cloud Computing
Public Cloud
A cloud model that offers access to the service at no additional cost to anyone connected to the internet. Popular services such as Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, and Gmail are clear examples of using public clouds.
Private Cloud
This is a model that is often chosen by organizations or corporations that demand a strict level of security and control over their data. Services in a private cloud are limited to members or employees of the organization, providing more protection for data and information.
Community Cloud
This model combines the characteristics of a private cloud but with a broader scope. Even though it is specific, the community cloud allows access for certain entities that have affiliations or relationships with the parent organization. Sometimes, certain parts of the community cloud can also be accessed by the public.
Hybrid Cloud
Hybrid cloud is a combination of resources from private clouds, public clouds and local infrastructure. With a structure like this, organizations can get the best benefits from each environment; starting from the flexibility and scalability of public clouds, private cloud security, to local infrastructure efficiency.
One of the main advantages of a hybrid cloud is its ability to allocate workloads according to needs. For example, for purposes that require high performance, organizations can choose to move their workloads to the public cloud. Meanwhile, for data or applications that are sensitive and require maximum security, private cloud can be the choice.
3 Cloud Computing Services
Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)
One type of cloud that may be familiar in everyday life is SaaS. SaaS allows users to access applications via the cloud. By utilizing SaaS, we don’t have to bother managing data storage, software development processes, or server maintenance matters. All we need to do is understand how the application is operated. Many popular applications that we use every day are part of SaaS, such as:
There are SaaS applications that are free or paid. For those paid apps, usually the system is based on usage. Another plus is that SaaS can generally be accessed directly through the browser without the need for installation.
2. Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS)
While SaaS provides access to cloud-based applications, IaaS gives users the opportunity to manage their computing resources. While we need to go deeper into software management, we don’t need to have physical hardware. IaaS allows us to rent virtual computers and manage them as needed. Some of the popular IaaS platforms include:
- Alibaba Cloud
- AWS
- Vidia Cloud
After renting, we can change specifications as needed, such as adding CPU, RAM, or storage capacity. And of course, other technical matters such as maintenance and configuration are left to the service provider.
Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS)
PaaS is a solution for developers and companies that need a platform to develop and manage applications or websites. As the name suggests, PaaS provides a platform that makes it easy for users to build or host applications. Some of the things that are usually provided in this service include:
- Framework
- Sistem Operasi (OS)
- Mesin Database
All of these elements make it easy to develop applications without having to think about server or network maintenance. Thus, the main focus of the user can be applied to application development. Some examples of PaaS providers in the market are:
- Amazon Web Service (AWS)
- Alibaba Cloud
With these various cloud computing service options, companies or individuals can choose which one best suits their needs.
Benefits of Cloud Computing Services in Business
In line with technological developments, cloud computing has now become the main choice for companies, both large scale and start-up, to manage their data. Why? Here are a number of benefits of cloud computing that you can consider for your business:
1. Data Access Flexibility
With internet-based cloud computing, employees can access data anytime and anywhere without having to carry additional storage devices. Enough with an internet connection, all data can be accessed easily.
2. Centralized and Integrated Data
With a large storage capacity, all of your company data, from documents to pictures, are neatly stored in one cloud server. This makes it easier for employees to access data at any time without having to search for it in various sources.
3. Easiness in Data Management
Forget the old ways of sending data via e-mail or messaging apps. Cloud computing makes it easier for employees to share and access data, especially for large files.
4. Scalability According to Needs
Every company has different needs. With cloud computing, you can adjust storage capacity and bandwidth according to your needs, without having to spend excessive costs.
5. Guaranteed Data Security
Data security is a top priority for cloud computing. Your data will be protected from threats such as viruses and malware, thanks to its advanced security system.
6. Large Storage Capacity
Cloud computing service providers generally offer very large storage capacities, allowing you to store long-term data. Even so, finding your data would stillbe easy with the existing search feature.
7. Cost Efficiency
Investing in cloud computing is proven to save costs. With various service package options, you can choose the one that best suits your company’s needs and budget.
8. Effective Collaboration
Data in the cloud allows many people to access and work together. This facilitates collaboration between employees, partners and clients, increasing work productivity, especially when working remotely.
9. Reduction in Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) refers to the total costs incurred by a company to own, operate, and maintain an information technology infrastructure throughout its life cycle. By switching to cloud computing:
Equipment savings: Companies no longer need to invest large amounts of money to purchase and maintain physical equipment such as servers and data storage systems.
Energy efficiency: Without the need to have a physical data center, a company’s energy consumption can be reduced significantly, thereby saving costs.
Automatic updates: Software and applications running in the cloud usually get automatic updates at no additional cost, reducing maintenance burdens and spending on update licenses.
10. Capex to Opex Approach
Reduction of Capex (Capital Expenditure): With cloud computing, companies can reduce capital expenditure because they no longer need to spend large amounts of money to buy information technology infrastructure such as servers, storage, and others.
Escalation of Opex (Operational Expenditure): The costs incurred are more operational in nature, such as subscribing to cloud services as needed. This allows companies to be more flexible in managing their budgets, with more predictable costs and can be adjusted according to business needs.
Overall, cloud computing offers a more cost-effective, efficient and flexible solution for companies in managing their information technology resources. By taking advantage of this benefit, companies can focus on business development without being burdened by information technology infrastructure problems.
Conclusion
Cloud computing has become a fundamental technology solution in supporting activities both on an individual and corporate scale. With a variety of types and flexible ways of working, cloud computing allows optimizing site or application performance more efficiently. The choice of cloud service providers is very diverse, but it is important to choose one that is trusted and according to your needs.
Improve the performance of your company site or application with Vidia Cloud! Enjoy 24×7 monitoring service to manage your application workload. Supported by a reliable workforce with expertise in cloud solution architecture and mastery of modern technology such as containers, serverless and cloud native applications. Contact us now at vidia@visionet.co.id or visit us at https://www.vidiacloud.com/contact/ .
