• August 31, 2023
• admin
• Work Agency

How to Select the Best Cloud Computing Model for Your Business

Data management is a real challenge, with massive amounts of data being generated every second. This impacts both operational cost and efficiency. To overcome this challenge, companies are switching to cloud computing frameworks. Currently, over 90% of organizations worldwide are using various cloud computing services based on their business requirements. So let’s dive deep into the different types of cloud computing.

The most common types of cloud computing are Dropbox—an application that enables easy file storage and data sharing, and Microsoft Azure, which provides data backup and recovery services. Other popular examples of cloud computing include Google Photos, Google Drive, Gmail, Amazon Prime, and Microsoft OneDrive.

There are three popular cloud computing models that companies use:

Software-as-a-Service (SaaS): This cloud-based model provides on-demand software or applications to users through the Internet.

Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS): It provides IT infrastructure like hardware and software to the users for easy development, running, and management of applications.
Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS): It provides hardware like computer storage and networks virtually to users.
Four Types of Cloud Computing
1. Private Clouds
A private cloud is a type of cloud computing environment that provides IT infrastructure services to a particular user or organization. There is no interference from third parties in a private cloud. It can be further divided as follows:

Managed Private Clouds
Managed private clouds provide on-demand IT hardware and digital infrastructure to companies that use a private cloud model.

Dedicated Clouds
Dedicated clouds provide complete IT infrastructure for a single user in a public cloud environment. Therefore, it provides the features of a private cloud in a private cloud setup.

Advantages of Private Clouds.
Provides advanced data security
Makes disaster recovery and system management processes more efficient

Disadvantages of Private Clouds
Companies have to incur a high cost to set up IT infrastructure for private clouds
Maintenance cost is also high

2. Public Clouds
While private clouds provide computing services only to a single organization, public clouds are managed by third-party vendors that offer on-demand cloud computing services to multiple organizations. Some examples of public clouds are Google, Microsoft Azure, and Amazon Web Services (AWS).

Advantages of Public Clouds
It is cost-efficient for small businesses as there is no need to set up IT infrastructure
It offers easy maintenance and scalability

Disadvantages of Public Clouds
Data security risk is higher in comparison to private clouds
Offers limited flexibility and control to customers

3. Hybrid Clouds
Hybrid clouds allow the integration of private and public cloud features into a single IT infrastructure. It brings together private and public cloud environments from multiple vendors and provides users with a flexible and scalable cloud environment.

Advantages of Hybrid Clouds
Hybrid clouds enable flexibility and enhanced data security
Reduces the cost of setting up IT infrastructure

Disadvantages of Hybrid Clouds
Creates a complex IT environment, leading to high operational expenses
It is difficult to transfer data between public and private cloud environments in hybrid clouds

4. Multi-Clouds
Multi-clouds are often confused with hybrid clouds. Multi clouds bring together multiple public clouds from different cloud service providers, whereas hybrid clouds integrate the features of public and private cloud environments.

Advantages of Multi-Clouds
It allows businesses to avail of a variety of cloud services from multiple vendors
It reduces the risk of lock-in with a single vendor, thus enabling smooth operational flow.

Disadvantages of Multi-Clouds
The inconsistent infrastructure creates bottlenecks in operational processes
It poses high-security risks as several third parties are involved
Types of Cloud Computing: The Similarities
Centralized Infrastructure
Both hybrid and multi-clouds offer a centralized structure in multiple cloud environments. Even though the network is integrated, there is a single network infrastructure.

Scalable Resources
All types of cloud computing environments facilitate scalability by providing on-demand cloud services.

Types of Cloud Computing: The Differences
IT Infrastructure
In private clouds, a single firm uses the entire IT infrastructure, which is managed by an in-house technical team. However, in public clouds, multiple users rely on a common IT infrastructure, managed by the cloud service vendors.

Data Security
Private clouds establish strong data security frameworks in comparison to public data clouds because there is no third-party involvement.