What is Cloud Computing: discover how it works and its advantages

It is not news that cloud computing, from the English term Cloud Computing, is becoming more and more a key technology for the scalability of companies and the development of new businesses. But after all, what is Cloud Computing and how does it add to everyday life?

We are at a time when the participation of cloud computing is perceived as a mandatory requirement for any decision maker who is within the technology area and who seeks to invest in innovation, with the mission of contributing to the company's growth.

Here you will learn all the details about what cloud computing is: knowing its concept, main types and how to adopt it in practice.

What is cloud computing?

When you store data or run programs on your hard drive, it's called local compute storage. Everything you need is physically accessible in this model, where access to your data is limited to server capacity.  

Cloud Computing or cloud computing arrived to change this scenario. This is the technology that allows you to store this data on servers that can be accessed from anywhere , just needing an internet connection .

It is estimated that the term was first used in the late 1990s, but researchers point out that the concept of sharing information between computers emerged much earlier, in 1960.

The technology may not be recent, but its adoption only started in 2008, when companies of various sizes began to use the service. Today, the development of cloud computing is accelerated thanks to the Digital Transformation .

By offering benefits in several aspects such as, for example, mobility, increased productivity and cost reduction, the advances and expectations of this service are gaining more and more space and investment.

Due to the breadth of demand, many desktop software development companies software in the cloud . On the other hand, there are still some doubts behind this concept.

Let's look at the most common ones below:

• Is expensive? → No! Quite the opposite. In fact, compared to the on premises (local) structure, which demands a high investment to be able to assemble and maintain a server infrastructure, the option of using the cloud is much cheaper, allowing any company to be able to migrate data and systems. One way to get this clear view of savings is to perform a TCO calculation .
• It's safe? → Yes! Especially when we talk about public cloud, where the big players in the market invest more than 50% of their profits in updating servers and security.

What is Cloud Computing used for?

Cloud Computing is the fastest solution for those looking for mobility, availability and security for their business without the need for major process changes.

One of the main advantages of relying on Cloud Computing is mitigating the risk of all files being lost if a computer or physical server has problems, which would certainly represent inestimable damage to the business. 

That is, talking about the cloud means being able to access files, run them and edit them anywhere , all online.

With this, it is possible to have entire systems, applications and databases working without the need to make a high investment in local infrastructure.

With regard to the perspective for the future of Cloud Computing, the company Gartner published, at the end of 2020, research on the future of the cloud in 2025 , led by Dennis Smith, vice president of research at the organization.

Below is a summary of the research that highlights the shift in cloud perspectives:

“Today, most people think of the cloud as a technology platform. This outlook will change markedly by 2025. The cloud will not only be a technological approach to application delivery, but will also serve as the main driver of business innovation.

In addition, cloud services provide consumption-based pricing models and ubiquitous availability for all organizations, which democratizes technology for the masses.”

Reference : The Future of Cloud in 2025: From Technology to Innovation, Published 29 October 2020 – Dennis Smith

What are the types of cloud?

After understanding what Cloud Computing is, it is important to highlight that there are 3 main types of cloud:

• Public Cloud : huge structures, shared with millions of companies (including NASA), with a high level of security and practically infinite storage capacity. Recommended for companies that have peak usage over the years.
• Private Cloud : structure developed to meet the needs of a single company. It offers a high level of security and privacy, but with spaces that are usually limited. Recommended for companies that have high control and predictability of cloud usage.
• Hybrid Cloud : combines public and private cloud features, being the preferred choice of many companies.

Knowing these differences makes it easier to choose which option to adopt during the cloud migration .

What are the main service models in Cloud Computing?

Being a technological resource already well implemented in the market, Cloud Computing offers different types of services that will better adapt to what the company needs. Initially, we had three main models of Cloud Computing:

Software as a Service (SaaS)

This is the service aimed at those who need to maintain software in the cloud, being the model most used by companies. Here, the internet is used to make a certain application available to its users , usually in the web browser itself, that is, without the need for the client to download and install a program.

Platform as a Service (PaaS)

This is already a larger service, which offers a cloud platform, with components that can be used by the company to create its own cloud software . In this possibility of building custom applications, servers, storage and network can be managed either by the company or by a provider

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

Infrastructure as a service, on the other hand, brings even more scalability , with resources purchased on demand in place of hardware, as a kind of virtual machine . With enough flexibility, your company will be able to access and monitor computers, network, storage and other services.

New models of Cloud Computing

As the use of the cloud is constantly growing, new service models have been created to better suit what companies are looking for. Here are four that stand out:

Function as a Service (FaaS)

FaaS brings the possibility for developers to execute modular pieces of serverless code , which respond to a certain event. In this way, when the user interacts with some element in a web application, he arrives at functions beyond its basic configuration, which do not need to be in the application's infrastructure.

Desktop as a Service (DaaS) 

As the name already indicates, here we offer virtual desktops for the end customer, who can access their resources through any device connected to the internet. Also known as Device as a Service or PC as a Service, in this service the provider is commonly responsible for managing backups, storing data, maintaining and updating software .

Container as a Service (CaaS)

These containers are blocks of storage, each containing an isolated package of code, application or function. This model helps with organization, agility and security, since modifications can be made without affecting the whole.

Everything as a Service (XaaS) 

Finally, we have XaaS, which represents everything as a service , where the “x” is the idea of ​​any possibility. With countless possibilities, any IT service can be provided in the cloud , including including all previous models here.

Challenges in the adoption of Cloud Computing

With so many possibilities when we talk about Cloud Computing, it is necessary to pay attention to some challenges to guarantee its use in the best possible way. 

To maximize success and combat problems, think about the following points of attention :

• Security and Privacy

Rest assured that your data is protected throughout the entire process.

• Compliance with privacy and security laws

Everything must be done in accordance with the rules that affect the subject, so it is essential to comply with the General Data Protection Law (LGPD).

• cloud migration

With a large amount of information and functions, this process needs to be done in a professional manner.

• Service availability

Be assured that remote access will take place on the most diverse devices.

So that such a valuable resource does not become a puzzle, Auto.Sky solution takes care of all these points . You can enjoy the advantages of the cloud without worrying about the difficulties of its insertion.

Advantages for different sectors

Regardless of the sector in which it operates , cloud computing contributes to the success of the most diverse business models by adding benefits such as:

• The user can access applications regardless of the operating system he uses on his device;
• It is not necessary to worry about carrying out tasks such as maintenance, security control and backup procedures , as this is the responsibility of the cloud service provider;
• It is much easier and more practical to share data, as any number of users can access it in the same place: the cloud.

Ok, but how to adopt cloud computing in my business?

By choosing to have your operations in the cloud using platforms such as Auto.Sky , your company benefits from a smooth and secure migration process, starting to rely on servers from major players, without the need to have an internal team specialized in the cloud.

In practice, this means that the IT team's major concerns with infrastructure will end , allowing these professionals to focus on the business strategy as a whole and not just on solving operational infrastructure problems.

For example, the need to create, configure and constantly monitor the environment becomes the responsibility of the partner company , guaranteeing the internal team predictability of costs with payment per user.

Let's see below the 4 steps for migrating to the cloud .

1. Start with a solution to make your migration

Auto.Sky Sky.One team especially for those looking for a complete infrastructure to take their software to the cloud . Everything is done quickly and without a headache: we take care of all the settings for you!

Connecting to the platform is also easy: availability via the web means that users can access the system wherever they are.

This way, your team gains time to focus on what really matters , such as the parameterization and configuration of the ERP software

2. Implement risk management

In a cloud infrastructure, where the use of software solutions is constant, a configuration change can expose a database or application server to the world, causing damage that can be definitive for the financial health of your business. 

It is therefore necessary to implement processes that guarantee risk management. 

Companies developing or deploying cloud applications need to ensure that any changes adhere to strict security and compliance controls in the development and release process.

Learn more about cloud security in the content:

How to ensure data security in the cloud?

3. Define rules applied to compliance

Data and information security best practices are the foundation of compliance standards as well as the security frameworks applied to the cloud. 

Compliance rules for cloud environments typically define password policies, encryption of sensitive data, and the configuration of security groups.

As such, it is essential for IT teams to incorporate these rules into security management, regardless of compliance requirements.

4. Mitigating the risk of data loss

There are currently a large number of security monitoring products on the market that allow administrators to find security settings and vulnerabilities.

It happens that these same products do not always offer resources to correct the problem.

In this sense, to avoid loss of data and damages with the payment of fines resulting from it, it is recommended to choose complete platforms that find and fix the respective problems in accordance with the best security practices.

Why choose Auto.Sky for your business?

Thinking about everything you will need when dealing with using the cloud for your business, Auto.Sky can be there to facilitate your process . Of the main reasons to choose us, check out four of them:

Cost benefit

One of the biggest advantages of cloud computing is cost reduction, which brings predictability of expenses , which can be reduced by up to 70% . With your business in the cloud, IT costs go down, including staff, equipment and software .

data security

For those who are concerned about data security in the cloud, Auto.Sky focuses on offering the best service. You have strong cybersecurity measures, data encryption and backup solutions .

Business Continuity

In the cloud, your business doesn't stop! In addition to being able to access it from the most diverse devices connected to the internet, you still have scalability to guarantee the necessary space to keep everything you need.

Productivity increase

With Auto.Sky taking care of your data in the cloud, the IT team's job is made easier. Instead of focusing on a purely operational function, professionals will be able to act strategically .

Meet Auto.Sky : Platform that simplifies the migration and management of software in the Cloud

Now that you already know more about Cloud Computing, how about getting in touch with Sky.One and discovering the best option for your company ?

By choosing Auto.Sky , your resources will be available in the cloud in just a few hours . All this with the peace of mind of having Sky.One who will take care of this process for you.

With Auto.Sky you get:

• flexibility and availability to access your cloud;
• scalability that respects your needs;
• cost reduction;
• enhanced data security;
• support staff;
• predictability of expenses; It is
• access to the best options in the area, such as AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud and Huawei Cloud.

Check out the features:

• Auto.Sky Platform : performs the migration of your local applications to the cloud, with fast and transparent scalability and with payment per user.
• Auto.Sky Services : takes care of cost optimization for companies that are already using the cloud, supporting and managing environments and migrating workloads.
• Auto.Sky Business One : migrates SAP Business One to the cloud.

Cloud Computing is in the future of your business and there's no reason to waste time. Check out our website and talk to one of our specialists !