Why is cloud software different from traditional software?

With the advancement of technologies and market demands, the use of software in the cloud has become an increasingly common reality for businesses of different sizes. This movement in the use of cloud tools has grown in recent years.

According to Gartner data , from 2020 to 2021, there was a 20% increase in software migration to the cloud, a number that will be higher by the end of 2022.

The demand for migration to the cloud is justified since this technology offers numerous advantages both to IT professionals and to the entire company, bringing benefits such as, for example, greater security in data storage, high performance and reduced costs with licenses and IT infrastructure .

Here, we will introduce you to the advantages of hosting software in the cloud and the factors that differentiate it from traditional software. Continue reading and learn more.

What is cloud software?

In the context of digital transformation and the advancement of disruptive technologies on different fronts, company managers face the challenge of keeping up with such changes, since these innovations directly affect the public's forms of consumption. 

In this context, one of the multiple demands is the search for more agile and flexible processes , which accelerate the productivity of the sectors without compromising the quality of the service or product.

Thus, cloud software emerges as a possibility to optimize the company's performance. 

The term “cloud software” refers to any system or set of IT solutions that can be accessed over the internet. 

In this case, the main aspect of cloud software is its online access in a decentralized and non-local data center, as occurs in the traditional system hosting model. 

Migration to the cloud becomes a structural change in IT processes , as updates are performed quickly and directly on the server , which allows almost immediate access to new features.

The business also gains in terms of cybersecurity , as the cloud provider works with its own rigorous protocols to ensure the protection of the company's data and its customers against criminal attacks or even technical and human failures.

On premise vs cloud: discover the 5 main differences

Find out below what are the main practical differences between software on premise (traditional) and software in the cloud!

1. It is flexible at a very low cost

The first and most important difference between cloud and traditional software is that the former offers greater flexibility and scalability at a lower cost .

If the company uses traditional software and wants to expand its capacity, it will need to buy new equipment to increase the power of its IT infrastructure, which will certainly increase the costs necessary to keep it up and running.

In addition, more equipment will also require more IT professionals to monitor it. All this will consume a large part of the company's budget. But with cloud software, she has the ability to eliminate all of those expenses.  

If you want to increase the capacity of your software or reduce it, just contact the cloud computing provider and request an increase in storage space , allowing the company to scale with much more security and agility .

2. Can be accessed from any device

Cloud software hosting does not need to be installed on company computers or devices. This avoids that part of your memory is consumed by applications and your performance drops drastically.  

Cloud software also allows its users to access all its functionalities from any device, anytime and anywhere – which is not possible with traditional software.

3. Your data is stored in the cloud

The way the cloud software stores the data is also different. Your information is not stored locally , but in off-site data centers owned by the cloud provider.

In this way, storing software data in the cloud is very important for companies, as they do not have to worry about losing them if they suffer from an operational, human or natural disaster .

After all, when migrating to the cloud, these businesses now have structures such as cloud backup and disaster recovery plan to reverse these types of problems.

4. Multiple Servers

As already mentioned, the traditional system is defined by hiring a company with a physical data center that will host the company's IT solutions, data and applications. The contractor offers this infrastructure in two ways, dedicated or shared (colocation).  

The disadvantage of this model is that, in addition to the possibility of sharing the server, it implies network instability and the contracted service limits the bandwidth to be used, not allowing an instantaneous increase.

The cloud software hosting model, on the other hand, consists of a system that does not work with just a local server, offering greater stability for the software developed by your company.

5. A much more strategic IT

The company providing the cloud system assumes responsibility for maintaining and updating systems and applications, without requiring intervention from the IT sector, in many cases. 

With this, the IT team leaves the operational role to the supplier, acting as a mediator in the relationship between the company and the contractor . Another opportunity that cloud software makes possible is better use of the IT team, which is more dedicated to the strategic development of solutions for the business .

Learn more: which languages ​​to develop applications in the cloud

6 advantages of having the software in the cloud

By understanding the differences between on-premise software and software in the cloud, we can also envision the advantages that migrating to the cloud offers to the business in general and to the IT team in particular.

They go beyond technical issues and also reach the organizational culture of the company, since a cloud system aims to guarantee flexibility, agility, scalability and competitive advantage in the market.

1- Data security 

Cloud software ensures greater security against natural disasters, technical breakdowns as well as cyber attacks. In addition, the cloud has an encryption system, also working with multiple servers that allow the software to remain in the air.

2- More flexible operations 

Flexibility is given by the possibility of remote work that the cloud software has. With this, the business maintains its commitment to deadlines and performance of the services it offers.

3- Focus on the core business

As possible operational problems are the responsibility of the provider, the IT team will be available to dedicate itself to the strategic part of the business, acting in activities that contribute to the growth and greater performance of the organization.

4- Scalability 

With cloud software, the company is able to scale its service in periods of high demand. As already mentioned, the cloud service allows this flexibility in the size of the contracted band, according to seasonal demands, which also implies cost savings.

In this way, it is possible to scale your business on commemorative dates and in greater demand without a headache!

To understand more about the public cloud, watch the video below!

5- Cost reduction

In addition to the savings mentioned in scalability, cloud software only pays for what it consumes, that is, there is no need to permanently maintain resources that are used in specific periods, burdening the budget throughout the year.

6- Greater compatibility 

The cloud easily allows the integration of other systems and tools that are used by the development team. All this, without having to install or adapt the internal structure, which in the traditional model requires time and additional resources.

Stay on top: discover 7 software development trends for 2022

Talk to someone who understands the subject

Migrating to the cloud is a task that requires good planning, in addition to in-depth and up-to-date technical knowledge on the subject. And in this case, so that you can focus on your business and the services provided by your company, it is recommended to have the support of professionals specialized in the subject.

We at Sky.One are specialized in cloud migration and we are ready to help your company in this task.

Learn more about cloud!