The Benefits of "The Cloud"
Broad User Access
First, users can easily access it from just about anywhere. All users need to utilize it as a computing device and an internet connection.
Self-Service Provisioning
Second, this capability allows cloud service users complete control in scaling resources based on real-time stats like uptime, storage usage, and processing demand.
Pay-per-use Capability
Third, if your business only needs certain resources during office hours, turn off applications at night to save money.
Leverage Shared Resources
Fourth is "multi-tenancy resource pooling", allowing service providers to give multiple clients scalability by leveraging the shared resources of servers. Instead of traditional on-premise servers, which aren't so easy to scale. Then you have to plan and pay for the servers, installation, electric bills, maintenance, etc.
Migration Flexibility
Fifth, this feature gives the option to transfer certain files or applications to and from the cloud and even between different platforms. This will allow your business to save money by altering server usage and location when desired.
Lower Management Overhead
Finally, in on-premise computing, the company manages local, physical hardware including set-up, installation, and maintenance. With cloud computing, your service provider will take care of managing the physical servers and any costs that come with the management.
The Differences Between Cloud and On-Premise Computing
Instead of managing your own physical hardware, the cloud allows servers, software, and networks to be hosted offsite. Data and applications hosted can be distributed across multiple servers, multiple data centers, and geographic locations. Then, if one server fails or loses power, the chances of your business losing data and experiencing disruption become greatly reduced.
The technology also allows for greater flexibility and scalability of your resources like storage, processing power, and bandwidth.
How Relevant is Geography When Considering Cloud Computing?
When the data center housing your servers is closer to your users, data can be more quickly processed and viewed by them. When farther, users may experience slower loading speeds, called latency.
For example, if your IaaS vendor's data centers are located in California, earthquakes are a risk to your cloud servers. But, if the data centers are located in Nebraska, Iowa, or Kansas, tornados are a concern. Then, east coast cities are prone to hurricanes. If a disaster were to occur in rural areas, emergency responders would be less likely to arrive on time to help than in a more densely populated city.
Undoubtedly, it's a good idea to utilize geo-redundancy for your cloud infrastructure. Then if one data center location were disrupted due to a cyber disaster or natural disaster, geo-redundancy may prevent disruption to your server uptime.
Data Localization Requirements
Cloud computing regulations actually vary across the world. The flow of data is not "borderless." Depending on the location(s) of your business operations, compliance with such regulations may be a necessary consideration to make before taking the leap into cloud computing.
