Cloud Computing: Maximum Benefits, Reduced Costs Part 2

Advantages of Cloud Computing

The Hardware and Backend Perspective

The advantages of cloud computing are known all too well when it comes to the business and user end: cost benefits, agility, elasticity, flexibility and increased productivity.

Large and medium companies that have their own network and hardware infrastructure working in the background to support business IT services also know the benefits of the advantages of cloud computing. Some have made the switch entirely to cloud computing services, mainly IaaS (infrastructure as a service), PaaS (platform as a service) and SaaS (software as a service). Others have opted for a hybrid model, retaining core data and other components in-house while outsourcing the rest. Some have opted for the private cloud model.

While it may be easy for an individual or a small business to migrate to the cloud, for medium or larger enterprises, especially those with their own hardware and infrastructure setup, the move is difficult but not impossible.

 The roadblocks are mainly:

• Teething troubles when it comes to transferring controls and management from in-house to outsourced cloud service providers
• Question of redundancy of IT staff and network engineers
• Upgrading skills and adapting to cloud technologies by staff

Given the advantages of cloud computing, these issues can be resolved and as for IT staff redundancy, they can take up positions of more responsibility in cloud environments.

The maximum advantages of cloud computing as seen from the backend are:

Great savings on infrastructure, hardware and maintenance costs: Since cloud service providers always maintain state of art hardware and have personnel to maintain them, businesses save a lot on maintenance and recurring upgradation costs.

Virtualization: Virtualization is at the core of cloud computing and optimizes resources as well as delivers better control at the back end. Employees at all levels in the core IT section and other sections in one and other locations remain connected through virtual desktops.

 Mobility: Cloud computing brings in its wake greater mobility at quite affordable costs on a pay-as-you-go model. Companies need not indulge in heave expenses to develop elastic apps for iOS, Blackberry, Windows 8 or Android platforms yet they get the benefits.

Increased Revenues and larger scale of services: Since cloud services relieve you of infrastructure, hardware, software and maintenance, you can easily go in for still larger, more revenue generating models without associated investments.

Data Security and Safety: This is a prime concern but is not overwhelmingly so as to restrict the transition to cloud environments. Companies only need to select a suitable service provider that meets their parameters.

Optimized resources, maximum benefits, minimum costs: These are the advantages of cloud computing, ridding you of having to budget for present and future upgrades or modifications. It also frees up valuable real estate that you can use for purposes that are more productive.

Rather than make a drastic switch to derive advantages of cloud computing, companies may choose to proceed cautiously and try out various components implemented in a phased manner, such as Infrastructure as a Service first before moving to Software as a Service.