Exploring From Basics to Advanced Cloud Technology

There can be no doubt that cloud technology has completely changed the way that billions of people run their lives – from storing treasured family photos without ever second-guessing their security to multinational corporations relying on cloud platforms to conduct daily workflows, enable employees to share information and collaborate on projects, as well as store highly sensitive information seamlessly and inexpensively.

As a result, it is almost certain that you have come across cloud computing before in one form or another. However, what you might not have considered is exactly how it works, as well as the wide variety of cloud applications, platforms, and systems that are running right now.

If you are a business manager or entrepreneur, it is vital for you to get a firm understanding of what cloud technology is, how it works, why it is important, and how it can be applied in the real world (particularly in a business setting).

What’s more, it is crucial that you have a basic grasp of where cloud technology is going in the future. After all, this could give you a powerful advantage over your business competitors, who may not understand how they can further take advantage of future cloud opportunities.

With that being said, here is a guide to cloud technology, ranging from the basics to advanced knowledge:

What Is Cloud Technology and Why Is It Important?

When it comes to developing a strong understanding of cloud technology in all its forms, it is intelligent to start with the basics. Having a working knowledge of the foundational concepts will enable you to quickly grasp more complex cloud technologies and aid your ability to integrate them into your individual business more effectively.

So, what is cloud technology, and why is it so important? Well, cloud technology is the umbrella term for remote servers, many of which use the internet as a host to store and process data safely, securely, and efficiently.

This is in contrast to the more traditional data storage option, which was to use on-premises hardware and software. In this short definition, it is easy to see why cloud computing is so important.

Instead of storing your sensitive data on local systems (which can easily be corrupted, stolen, lost, or destroyed), your information is stored on servers that are spread across multiple secure locations (often under the sea) and don’t rely on any single location as a source.

This makes services like Microsoft CSP a far safer and more viable solution. Microsoft’s flexible licensing packages enable you to scale your systems easily, remain flexible, and be far more cost-efficient.

When you are running a business, this will come as music to your ears. It means you can scale up and down your cloud usage on demand and for very little money, meaning Microsoft can fit perfectly into your business as it is right now.

There is no need to worry about wasted money, as you only have to pay for what you use, enabling you to remain agile at all times.

This is when a Microsoft licensing partner like Bytes Microsoft CSP can come in handy. By using a management service, you can pinpoint the right solution at the cheapest price, ensuring you get the most out of your cloud usage.

Understanding Cloud Deployment Models

Another crucial element of cloud technology that you need to develop a working understanding of is the different cloud deployment models. This term refers to the various ways in which the servers are located and managed.

To this end, there are three main types of cloud deployment models – public, private and hybrid.

A public cloud model means that the core infrastructure of the cloud platform is owned and managed by a third-party service provider, which has made the technology available to the public over the internet.

Conversely, a private cloud network is one which is designed and used exclusively by one organisation. This cloud structure is either run on-premises or by a cloud platform. This provides more security and flexibility than public cloud structures, as you can imagine.

Lastly, there are hybrid cloud models. As the name suggests, this is a hybrid of both public and private cloud structures – enabling data to be shared between them.

There is no right or wrong answer to which model you opt for. At the end of the day, it depends entirely on your specific business needs, budget and targets.

What Are the Real-World Applications of Cloud Technology?

Now you have a working understanding of how basic cloud technologies operate, it is time to find out how they can be applied in the real world.

Well, there are many different ways in which you can utilise cloud computing. You could, for example, use it as data storage and backup for sensitive information. This is one of the most popular use cases, because of the high levels of security and flexibility offered by cloud storage solutions.

Many people also use cloud technology as an email service provider – making it easy to access your email account from anywhere in the world.

Alternatively, you may not realise that you are using cloud services every time you log in to streaming sites like Netflix or Amazon Prime – which use the cloud to store the movies and TV shows, ready to be watched on demand.

There are many other applications besides this, including SaaS, IaaS, Internet of Things data processing, gaming and online retail.

Future Trends in Cloud Technology

Of course, cloud technology isn’t standing still, and there are plenty of potential ways in which it will evolve over the coming years.

For instance, it is likely that more businesses will adopt a multi-cloud philosophy. This means that they will use more than one cloud provider in order to prevent being locked in with one single provider.

Moreover, many cloud providers are starting to integrate artificial intelligence and machine learning into their systems, making it simpler for companies to use AI-based applications and services.

Furthermore, there is an increasing trend towards serverless databases, which makes it easier for businesses to scale automatically and cut costs.