Cloud Based Solutions: Explained

Are you a CEO, CFO, MD or marketer looking to get the most out of your business? In today's digital age, companies must explore and take advantage of cutting-edge technology solutions such as cloud-based solutions.

But what does this all mean and how can it benefit your business?

Let's break down what we mean by cloud-based solutions for businesses and discuss the many advantages they hold.

We'll explain why investing in an enterprise-level cloud-based solution can be beneficial, plus provide answers on accessibility features and security concerns.

What are Cloud Based Solutions?

As technology continues to shape the way we live and work, the term "cloud-based solution" has become a common buzzword.

In simple terms, a cloud-based solution refers to any software or service that is provided and accessed over the internet, rather than locally installed on a computer or server.

This means that users can easily access their information, data, and applications from any device with an internet connection, making collaboration and remote work seamless.

Cloud-based solutions offer a range of benefits such as flexibility, scalability, cost savings, and improved collaboration. Unlike traditional methods, cloud-based solutions do not require significant investments in hardware, software, or human resources. Thus, making them an attractive option for individuals, businesses, and organisations of all sizes.

Overall, cloud-based solutions have transformed the way we access and manage data, making it easier and more convenient than ever before.

Benefits of Cloud-Based Solutions

Here are the five key benefits of cloud-based solutions for businesses:

1. Reduced Costs

One of the key benefits of cloud-based solutions is that they can help to reduce costs. By moving data and applications to the cloud, businesses can eliminate the need for expensive on-premises hardware and software licenses.

Additionally, cloud services are typically priced on a pay-as-you-go model, which means that businesses only pay for the resources they use.

This can help to reduce operational costs and free up capital to be invested elsewhere in the business.

2. Increased Scalability

Cloud-based solutions also offer increased scalability when compared to traditional on-premises solutions.

With cloud services, businesses can quickly scale up or down their usage as needed, allowing them to adjust their resources in line with changing demand.

This helps to ensure that businesses always have access to the resources they need without having to invest in additional hardware or software licenses upfront.

3. Improved Security

Cloud-based solutions also provide improved security when compared to traditional on-premises solutions.

Cloud service providers use advanced technologies such as encryption and multi-factor authentication to protect customer data from unauthorised access or tampering.

Additionally, most cloud service providers have robust disaster recovery plans in place that ensure customer data is always available and protected against potential outages or disasters.

4. Enhanced Collaboration

Cloud-based solutions also enable enhanced collaboration between employees, partners, and customers by providing anytime, anywhere access to shared documents and applications.

This allows teams to work together more efficiently on projects regardless of their physical location or time zone differences.

Additionally, cloud services often include features such as real-time document editing and video conferencing that further facilitate collaboration among team members.

5. Automated Updates

Finally, cloud-based solutions allow businesses to take advantage of automated updates for their applications and operating systems without having to manually install patches or upgrades themselves.

This not only saves time but also ensures that all applications are always running on the latest version, which helps protect against security threats and other potential vulnerabilities.

Examples of Cloud Based Solutions

Cloud-based solutions have revolutionised the way we store and access information. As more and more businesses move towards digital transformation, cloud-based solutions have become increasingly popular.

Some examples of leading cloud-based solutions include Salesforce, Dropbox, and Microsoft Office 365. These solutions offer a range of features, from data management to communication tools and everything in between.

However, our Cloud Solution Experts have listed some of the cloud-based solutions examples that are especially great for small and medium businesses.

Messaging

• Microsoft Teams
• WhatsApp
• Google Hangouts
• Slack
• Skype
• Zoho Cliq
• Telegram
• Wire
• Workplace from Meta
• GroupMe
• Flock

Customer Relationship Management

• HubSpot
• Salesforce
• Pipedrive
• Zoho
• Zendesk
• SugarCRM
• Insightly
• Freshsales

Project Management

• Microsoft Planner
• Asana
• Trello
• Monday.com
• Smartsheet
• Zoho Projects
• Jira
• Freedcamp
• Scoro
• Workfront
• ClickUp
• Basecamp
• Liquid Planner

Human Resources

• BambooHR
• Sage Group
• Zoho People
• Workday
• Paycor
• SAP SuccessFactors
• Freshteam
• Hi Bob Limited
• Orange HRM
• Monday.com
• Ceridian Dayforce

If you're looking to improve your business operations and stay ahead of the curve, considering these cloud-based solutions examples is a smart move.

The three types of Cloud Solutions

When deciding which type of cloud-based solution is right for your business, first you must consider the different types of cloud solutions there are for businesses.

These can be broken down into four different categories; Software-as-a-service (SaaS), Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), Infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS), and Function-as-a-Service (FaaS).

1. Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)

Most commonly used, SaaS allows for multiple cloud tenants to have access to a particular application. SaaS applications are normally hosted on a cloud server, so the user does not have to install the application on their device.

Office 365 is a prime example of a SaaS application. Office allows anyone to open an account and then they will be able to access the Microsoft Office products.

SaaS applications are completely managed and maintained by the provider. SaaS can be compared to renting a house.

You have access to the house, and you can use it as if you own it, however, the landlord keeps the house maintained and running.

2. Platform-as-a-service (PaaS)

Contrastingly from a SaaS application, PaaS includes physical hardware and the operating system that is needed to deploy and manage the cloud application.

Instead of paying for a range of hosted applications, companies pay for the things they need to build their applications.

This can be compared to renting the tools you need to buy a house, instead of renting a house itself.

3. Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS)

IaaS is where a company rents the storage and servers they need, as well as offers access to network functions, dedicated hardware, and virtual machines from a cloud provider.

These technologies are used to build a base of business operations, as well as a base for other cloud-based solutions and SaaS.

Applications such as Windows Azure and Cisco Meta Cloud are two common examples of IaaS providers.

IaaS is like renting a piece of land that will act as a base or foundation of your building. However, you must bring all your materials and equipment.

4. Function-as-a-Service (FaaS)

FaaS and Serverless computing are often used, incorrectly, interchangeably. FaaS focuses on event-driven programming and is used to execute modular pieces of code, usually in response to an event.

To continue with the house analogy, think of FaaS as living in a house where you only pay for the rooms you're currently using. When you're not using a room, you don't have to pay for it.

Examples of FaaS include Google Cloud Functions and IBM Cloud Functions.

Why consider Cloud Based Solutions?

In today's world of rapidly advancing technology, cloud-based solutions have become more prevalent than ever before.

From storing files to hosting websites, these cloud-based solutions offer a wide range of benefits that make it an attractive option for businesses of all sizes.

Some of the key advantages of using cloud-based solutions include increased flexibility, cost savings, and accessibility.

Cloud-based solutions also allow businesses to easily scale their operations up or down as needed, without having to invest in expensive hardware or software.

Additionally, these solutions ensure that important data and applications are always accessible, regardless of location or device. Overall, businesses can gain a lot by considering the use of cloud-based solutions.