Cloud Services – With the evolution of cloud technology growing at an extraordinary pace, the rapid increase of choice means there are now multiple cloud services available to businesses. The challenge is knowing which cloud service providers to use and when.
Businesses in fact are choosing Cloud Services from multiple cloud providers, giving them an opportunity to pick and mix the best providers for each service.
The Public Cloud
This is typically what most people think of when they hear the term “Cloud”. This model utilises shared servers, hardware, data centres and operating systems at third-party providers to store your applications and data. This “sharing” of space, makes the whole service much less expensive as the cost of the environment is spread across multiple customers lowering the total cost of ownership considerably.
However although it can offer considerable savings and flexibility, as well as time-to-benefit in deployment, having critical data off-site and away in a shared environment can pose security risks for some business who need the level of infrastructure and security offered by private clouds.
The Private Cloud
This model offers much greater performance, security, and flexibility as you pay for a cloud infrastructure to be operated solely by your organisation. You have the option to manage the environment in-house using your existing IT team, or let the provider manage the IT infrastructure for you. This would mean that your business applications, databases and information would be hosted on its own virtual layer, safe-guarding your data.
With a private cloud, you can also for a security mode of your own therefore dictating levels of security, permissions and accessibility of aspects of your system.
The Hybrid Model – Best of Both Worlds
A hybrid cloud is an integrated cloud service utilising both private and public clouds to perform distinct functions within the same organisation. The clouds are linked together giving you flexibility in having multiple deployment models.
This flexibility comes from being able to leverage more than one cloud service provider, and dictate the level of partnership with that provider. It also means that you can keep each aspect of your business in the most efficient environment possible. Hybrid clouds give you the benefits of the private cloud in respect to cost savings and flexibility, but also give you the sophistication in security and data integrity. However, you will need an experienced cloud provider to manage the entire network of clouds both efficiently and securely.
Cloud computing offers real benefits for businesses, it’s easy to use, easy to pay for, and accessible from phones, tablets and laptops. Cloud applications can make your business more efficient and more productive.
If you are considering your options and want some advice about Cloud Services and which would work best in your business, please contact us on 0800 505 350 and we’ll be happy to offer you some free expert advice.
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