Essentially, cloud computing has revolutionized the way businesses and individuals store, manage, and access their data and applications. Rather then relying on physical hardware to store and run their programs, you are able to access your resources and services over the internet.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the basics of cloud computing and how it can benefit you or your business.

What are Cloud Computing Basics?

Cloud computing is the delivery of resources and services over the internet. This can include storage, servers, databases, software, and more. Instead of buying and maintaining physical hardware, you can access these resources on-demand and pay only for what they use.

Cloud computing is made possible by a network of servers that are owned and managed by service providers. These servers can be located in various data centers around the world that you can access from anywhere with an internet connection.

Types of Cloud Computing

There are three main types of cloud computing: Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS).

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

IaaS provides you with access to virtualized computing resources such as servers, storage, and networks. Additionally, you can configure and manage these resources to run their applications.

Platform as a Service (PaaS)

PaaS provides you with a platform for developing, testing, and deploying their applications. This platform includes the necessary hardware and software to run the application, as well as tools for building and testing the application.

Software as a Service (SaaS)

SaaS provides you with access to software applications that are hosted by the cloud provider. These applications can be accessed through a web browser or an API, and the provider is responsible for maintaining the software and ensuring that it is always up to date.

Benefits of Cloud Computing

Cloud computing offers many benefits for you and your and business. Here are some of the key advantages:

Scalability: Resources can be scaled up or down to meet changing demand. This means that businesses can quickly add or remove resources as needed, without the need to invest in expensive hardware.

Cost Savings: You only pay for the resources you use, rather than investing in and maintaining your own hardware. This can result in significant cost savings for businesses of all sizes.

Flexibility: You are able to access resources and applications from anywhere with an internet connection. This can be particularly beneficial for remote workers or businesses with multiple locations.

Reliability: Cloud service providers typically offer high levels of uptime and reliability, thanks to their redundant infrastructure and multiple data centers.

Security: Cloud service providers often have dedicated security teams and implement strict security protocols to protect user data.

Conclusion

Cloud computing has changed the way we access and manage our data and applications. By providing on-demand access to computing resources and services it has become easier and more cost-effective for businesses to store, manage, and access their data. As technology continues to evolve, cloud computing will likely become even more ubiquitous and essential for businesses of all sizes.

If you would like to learn more about cloud computing to determine if it is the right move for your company, you can contact us today to learn more!

The post Cloud Computing Basics and How it Benefits your Business appeared first on Wowrack Blog.

If you’ve weighed all your options and you’re still not satisfied, then we have one more type of managed service for you. Could a Platform as a Service what you need for your company?

What is The Difference Between IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS?

When it comes to managed services, you can essentially separate the main types into three tiers.

If we’re going from the first tier up, we’ll start with IaaS, which as you know, stands for “Infrastructure as a Service.” This is considered the lowest level, as it provides the basics in order for a company to get itself off the ground.  An IaaS provider will deliver cloud computing infrastructure such as storage and a server. The rest, like managing applications and data, is completely up to the user. Think of it as hiring a party planner to give you tips about a planning a party.

Next up the pyramid is Platform as a Service. A Platform as a Service is a type of managed service that may seem very similar to a Software as a Service. But, there are some key differences that would make a company lean more towards one than the other. PaaS uses different platforms to allow users to build, develop, and run applications and services over the Internet, without needing to develop their own infrastructure to match it. Companies can choose what functions they want to utilize and deploy, in an environment, or “platform” that suits them best. This one can be thought as hiring a venue to book your party with some features included, but the rest is up to you.

Last is SaaS, and is the highest level of managed service functions. Unlike PaaS, SaaS already has ready-to-use applications in place so you can do whatever you need to do for your business, such as email marketing,  which is all managed by the vendor. If we use our party analogy one more time, this would be if you booked a venue that provided absolutely everything you’d need for your party, from the food right down to the confetti. All you have to do is tell them what you like, and show up.

Which Companies PaaS Would Be Good For?

As you can see, PaaS falls in the middle of IaaS and SaaS. It is ideal for web developers, software developers, and businesses who essentially want to have more flexibility with the applications and software they want to deploy, but wouldn’t mind someone helping them along the way. You’re given leverage from that platform you’re using to build what you want, while the vendor, or MSP, manages the rest.

Iaas might be good for a start-up business that wants to build but doesn’t have the budget to invest in additional tools. Likewise, Saas is good for a company who wants complete functionality to deploy apps that are already built in.

If you think PaaS is the right managed service for you, then take a look at our Wowrack PaaS package.

What You Can Expect with Platform as a Service?

If you choose to go with PaaS, then you’ve made a good choice. PaaS has a lot of great benefits. First of all, you get to choose what you pay for. Based on what kinds of perks you’re looking for with your PaaS, will determine what price you pay for the package.

One platform that’s often used with PaaS is Microsoft Office 365. However, instead of just getting what the platform itself would offer, you’d be getting much more than that when you take it as a Platform as a Service. That’s because the managed service provider will include system administration expertise and support on top of those platform functions; and,  at no extra cost.

With Platform as a Service, you really get the best of both worlds. Contact us today if you would like to learn more about PaaS.

The post Comparing PaaS to Other Types of Managed Services and Choosing the Right One appeared first on Wowrack Blog.