What is Cloud Computing? A Beginner’s Guide

The Internet has countless uses–from sending emails to watching videos. Cloud computing allows you to do all these tasks whenever you want, wherever you are.

Through this technology, web-based applications aren’t bound to just one location, network, or PC, as data is stored over the Internet (the “cloud”) instead. This means that your documents or software programs exist anywhere, regardless of the machine you access them on. You’ll no longer have to worry about losing data if your computer crashes.

It also allows you to collaborate with others on the same applications and documents in real-time.

This technology is valuable for organizations since it allows for convenient storage of important documents without fear of losing access to them in case of a power outage or malfunctioning computer. Furthermore, it encourages efficient and simultaneous collaboration between team members.

Read on for a closer look at this advanced tech solution and how you can leverage cloud computing.

Cloud computing involves delivering computing services–storage, networking, databases, and more–over the Internet for quicker innovation and manageable scalability.

Cloud providers deliver these services from multiple remote locations, where they’ve established data centers that store all data and applications. This way, users can share content or collaborate from anywhere and on any device.

Companies ranging from startups to global corporations use this technology to provide services like:

• Data backup
• Disaster recovery
• Email
• Software development and testing
• Big data analytics
• Customer-facing web applications

Top video streaming platform Netflix is one brand that utilizes cloud computing. The company gives over 200 million subscribers access to its collection of critically acclaimed movies and TV shows on the cloud.

Other well-known cloud computing users include beverage giant Coca-Cola and the social networking app Snapchat.

So, why do companies use cloud computing? Here are just some of its numerous benefits.

With cloud computing, you can access an extensive range of technologies to develop anything you can imagine.

The cloud offers multiple tools you can launch immediately, including computing, data analytics, and more.

Furthermore, it makes creating and implementing technology services faster than ever. As a result, you can experiment, test new solutions, and adapt to changes.

Flexibility is another benefit of cloud computing, since you only use what you need. You can also add or reduce resources as you see fit.

If you’re after an economical price tag, cloud computing offers variable expenses instead of fixed costs, meaning you only pay for what you consume.

While fixed costs stay the same over time, variable costs change depending on your production level, resulting in lower costs.

A cloud computing provider’s data centers are spread across multiple locations.

Hence, businesses working on the cloud can offer tech solutions in other areas and implement them in minutes.

Moreover, accessible services mean less delay in the transfer of data and a better user experience.

Managing a physical data center involves setting up hardware and patching software. But with cloud computing, these tasks are streamlined, allowing IT teams to shift their focus to vital business goals.

Cloud computing providers can copy user data to secondary sites within their networks. This allows organizations to back up and restore data and continue operating while keeping costs low.

Lastly, many cloud providers have established multiple policies, technologies, and controls to increase user security.

They safeguard your data, applications, and infrastructure against potential threats like breaches, leaks, and phishing attacks.

Cloud computing encompasses several deployment types and services. We dig deeper into these categories below.

When it comes to deployment, a company can adopt any of the following models:

A public cloud is a cloud computing model that third-party providers own. Public cloud providers allow you to access and use their resources over the Internet.

These entities own and maintain the necessary hardware, software, and infrastructure for your service, while you access and manage these resources from your Web browser.

Additionally, a public cloud can accommodate multiple users, and as we’ve mentioned, you can pay using this model.

A private cloud covers a company’s cloud computing resources. Organizations can run this model from a physical data center, with their services and infrastructure maintained over a private network.

Unlike public clouds with multiple tenants, single users can run private clouds. They use on-premise hardware (hardware hosted in physical locations) to implement their service. Moreover, private cloud users manage their infrastructure.

A hybrid cloud combines third-party, fog computing, and on-site private clouds. Users can transfer data and applications between public and private clouds while maximizing flexibility and offering more deployment options.

Furthermore, hybrid clouds help companies improve their current architecture, security, and compliance.

The multi-cloud deployment model leverages two or more cloud services. This architecture allows you to duplicate data to ensure uninterrupted service and choose other services or features.

Using multi-cloud deployments can even help compensate for testing environment costs. In turn, developers gain more power without spending on testing resources.

Cloud computing services are divided into these types:

IaaS is the most basic cloud service you can use. Cloud computing providers offer and handle this service over the Internet.

With IaaS, you rent IT infrastructures (e.g., virtual machines, networking systems, etc.) managed by your cloud provider on a pay-as-you-go basis.

Scalability is a common advantage of IaaS over other services, as you can use several or more resources depending on your needs, helping you save on expenses.

PaaS lets you build and implement tech services in a cloud-based environment. And, like IaaS, you only pay for resources as you use them.

PaaS providers offer multiple development and deployment tools, including:

• IaaS
• Middleware (software that connects individual applications, tools, and databases)
• Business intelligence (BI) services
• Database management systems

With these resources, you won’t need to purchase costly software licenses to set them up. PaaS providers also maintain the tools you use.

SaaS refers to cloud-based, on-demand software with a subscription model.

SaaS providers host and manage applications and their architecture and maintain these resources with updates, security patches, and other measures.

SaaS applications typically require Internet access, but some tech companies offer stand-alone, cloud-based applications. HR and payroll software fall into the latter.

Serverless computing allows you to develop applications and services instead of handling their underlying resources.

A serverless cloud service provider will help you set up vital resources, determine capacity, and manage the servers running your application.

As for benefits, you can scale serverless systems when necessary, no server management is needed, and you’re only charged for the server space you use.

Cloud-based services are excellent tools to consider if you want to digitize HR processes. Cloud computing is the foundation of these tools, with resources that help address user needs.

The Sprout Ecosystem is one solution that leverages cloud computing to help businesses streamline their HR and payroll processes.

With our cloud-based tool, you can handle these tasks while keeping costs low, boosting productivity, and mitigating security risks. Learn more about the Sprout Ecosystem on our product page today, or get more insights on HR tech