Let’s get started. Many of you have wondered what is cloud computing? Cloud computing is the on-demand delivery of IT resources over the Internet with pay-as-you-go pricing. Instead of buying, owning, and maintaining physical data centers and servers, you can access technology services, such as computing power, storage, and databases, on an as-needed basis from a cloud provider like Amazon Web Services (AWS). However, the definition of cloud computing is “A distributed digital infrastructural resource that delivers hosted services by way of the internet”.

The cloud computing service sector has become a rapidly growing multibillion-dollar industry. To put this into perspective, Gartner estimates cloud spending will reach $260 billion by the end of 2018. That’s a huge amount right. Another interesting fact is Gartner is not alone in highlighting cloud computing’s growing prevalence in the market. The dynamic effects of cloud adoption are already playing out and are most evident in the three wide-ranging and common models of cloud computing services: software-as-a-service (SaaS),infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS), and platform-as-a-service (PaaS). Another defining cloud characteristic is that the computing, storage, networking, and integration capabilities of each SaaS, IaaS, and PaaS offering are effectively owned by the vendor and delivered as a service on an on-demand, subscription basis to the customer.

Referred to as the “on-demand software,” SaaS is the most commonly used service for business customers. With a wide variety of application and service types, SaaS is replacing or augmenting traditional enterprise systems including ERP, accounting, human resources management, content management systems, supply chain and inventory management, and customer relationship management (CRM) programs. Since SaaS doesn’t require purchasing an expensive licensed program, users can access numerous cloud applications on an as-needed basis

PaaS is the middleman of cloud services as it sits central, linking SaaS and IaaS. This cloud service provides users with all the tools needed to create a digital platform. It features the groundwork for storage, networking, and virtual servers with software and hardware necessary to design, develop, test, implement, manage, and operate applications

The IaaS layer offers essential building blocks, database storage, and a virtual platform. By building cost-saving and scalable IT solutions, the complex and expensive hardware is outsourced to a third-party cloud vendor. All of these IT components are automated for customers who are able to self-provision the storage or processing power of the IaaS platforms.

In this digital era, it is impossible not to be impacted by cloud computing. Examples of cloud computing are:

Email: It is one of the most used communication methods that has fully shifted from a downloaded and stored method to one that’s cloud-based. That goes for any device, from a desktop computer.

Credit/debit cards: Money matters a lot right! Credit and debit cards are most conveniently used because every bank and credit card company database are integrated with the cloud. It is used for

Microsoft :Many of you would have known Microsoft. Deeply invested in all three levels of the cloud, Microsoft cloud computing – with its Microsoft Azure and Dynamics 365 products – is still the frontrunner as a global enterprise-cloud provider. Microsoft continues to develop and deploy products around artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and Blockchain. Microsoft is ahead of many other cloud computing companies.

Amazon: The massive e-commerce brand isn’t far behind Microsoft in the cloud service space. it’s is still second, but Amazon cloud computing, Amazon Web Services (AWS), is making strides in the cloud services movement, and still ahead of Google’s cloud computing ventures.

Today’s business environment relies more and more on devices with Internet of Things capabilities (especially smartphones and tablets). As a result, a majority of offices are essentially becoming virtual workspaces. Therefore, easier and more efficient access to data is possible through cloud computing.

A recent study by a market research company revealed that cloud computing is having a measurable business impact. Companies that have implemented cloud services have seen a nearly 21 percent increase in speed to market, a 19 percent jump in process efficiency, and a 20 percent uptick in company growth. Here are even more advantages of cloud computing:

With the cloud, apps and data are accessible anywhere, anytime. And that’s all due to the ever-increasing number of mobile devices like smartphones and tablets. The “anywhere, anytime” benefit also certainly applies to business. Employees gain flexibility, becoming more efficient with workflows and customer service.

Cloud computing is essentially built for improving work processes, and that includes data flow between co-workers and business partners. Organizations demand more apps for file sharing and streamlined workflows. Remote workers can instantly connect and communicate with fellow employees and important clients.

Cloud computing is essentially built for improving work processes, and that includes data flow between co-workers and business partners. Organizations demand more apps for file sharing and streamlined workflows. Remote workers can instantly connect and communicate with fellow employees and important clients.

Cloud computing is essentially built for improving work processes, and that includes data flow between co-workers and business partners. Organizations demand more apps for file sharing and streamlined workflows. Remote workers can instantly connect and communicate with fellow employees and important clients.

Cloud computing reduces cost by leveraging economies of scale. A Booz Allen Hamilton study found that the cloud approach could reduce costs by 50 to 67% for the deployment of 1000 servers. Cloud customers can take advantage of lower costs from vendors’ economies of scale, reducing their investments in on-premises infrastructure.

The International Data Corporation (IDC) estimates that already in 2018 at least half of IT spending is cloud-based and only set to grow over the coming years. In fact, it is likely that virtually all enterprises worldwide will consume some form of cloud service, signaling that inevitably most applications and enterprise information flows will be cloud-based. The cloud will become more than just a consumption model – it will be central to shaping business IT strategy.

To conclude, Cloud computing is the latest technology that promises immense benefits. However, a lot of research is still required in this area as many of the concerns related to security and privacy issues have not been answered by the experts and remain open. However, there is a lot of research and investment in the area by the Information technology giants like Microsoft, Google, Cisco, IBM in this area and the day is not far when the cloud will be widely adopted and all the security and privacy issues will be handled. Hope you would have understood the concept. See you in yet another blog.