Cloud Computing

Function of Cloud Computing

Increase Data Storage Capacity

The main thing about the function of this cloud technology is where you can increase data storage capacity. This is certainly not without reason because with a cloud storage system you can increase data storage capacity. Just imagine that you have 32 Gb of important data on your phone and there is still data that needs to be stored, then the answer is to use the cloud to increase storage capacity.

Improving Stakeholder Performance

In a company, of course, there is such a thing as a stakeholder. Stakeholders of course still need to use cloud technology for just meeting with clients or also with employees. By using cloud technology, of course, this can be done easily and also with its more efficient performance, it can improve its performance.

Get System Updates Periodically (Up to Date)

Regular system updates are very important. This third function is the advantages and characteristics of cloud computing. Where, to overcome the various shortcomings that exist and imitate the development of the hottest issues in the era of digital-based technology, the method will continue to update the database in a structured manner. The update aims to improve security, then improve features to provide a better experience for online users around the world. Thus, every storage operation becomes more secure, targeted, and has high credibility.

Improve System Reliability

Cloud Providers guarantee a certain level of service through contracts known as Service Level Agreements (SLA) that make it easier for their customers to provided uninterrupted service. There is no more delay that could be associated with geographical distance (for a technician to go on site), or lead delivery time for replacement equipment. The Cloud provider takes care of the hardware backup strategies and maintenance updates.

Greater Flexibility and Scalability

Cloud computing is elastic and scalable; users can increase/decrease resources as needed. This allows a business to grow or shrink to adapt to market demands.

Benefits

Flexibility

Flexibility in cloud computing means organizations can scale up and down as needed without buying any additional hardware.

Disaster Recovery

In the event of a disaster, the impacted data, applications, and resources can be reinstated either in the local data center or through a cloud provider, allowing the enterprise to swiftly resume regular operations. A disaster in this context can include natural disasters, human-made incidents, hardware failures, software glitches, or any other disruptive event that can have a significant impact on an organization’s IT infrastructure.

Automatic Software Update

Cloud applications update regularly. This ensures the latest security patches. It also means you always have the latest version and features of the application. Microsoft 365™ would be a familiar example of a cloud computing application that regularly updates.

Cap-Ex Free

CapEx in cloud computingis like the traditional CapEx model briefly outlined above. However, in this case, capital expenditures are all cloud-related and refer to the costs the organization must incur to purchase fixed assets that will offer ongoing, long-term benefits well past the current tax year.

Increased Collaboration

Cloud collaboration helps to build a sense of community through teamwork, increases productivity and stimulates creativity. Using this method makes it easier to make the transition to a remote workforce.

Work From Anywhere

Since files and project can be saved in cloud, it can be accesed and worked on remotely.

Document Control

It allows an organization to store, index, and archive its documents and information in a secured, centralized environment.

Security

Cloud security refers to the cybersecurity policies, best practices, controls, and technologies used to secure applications, data, and infrastructure in cloud environments. In particular, cloud security works to provide storage and network protection against internal and external threats, access management, data governance and compliance, and disaster recovery.

Competitiveness

Moreover, cloud computing services influence the dimensions of competitive advantages (quality, cost, reliability, innovation, and responsiveness) of commercial organizations, where cloud computing services have the most significant influence on quality followed by cost and responsiveness, respectively.

Environmentally Friendly

With the cloud, not only are fewer servers used, but they are powered efficiently, “reducing the carbon impact on a company’s data center.” VP of Marketing and Sales at Verne Global, Lisa Rhodes, says that “according to the Environmental Protection Agency, data centers now account for 1.5% of all electricity consumption in the U.S. and by 2020, carbon emissions will have quadrupled to 680 million tons per year, which will account for more than the aviation industry.” Cutting down on data centers by switching IT operations to a public cloud provider significantly lowers carbon emissions and electricity consumption.

Advantages

Mobility

Cloud computing allows mobile access to corporate data via smartphones and devices, which, considering over 2.6 billion smartphones are being used globally today, is a great way to ensure that no one is ever left out of the loop. Staff with busy schedules, or who live a long way away from the corporate office, can use this feature to keep instantly up to date with clients and co-worker. Through the cloud, you can offer conveniently accessible information to sales staff who travel, freelance employees, or remote employees, for better work-life balance. Therefore, it's not surprising to see that organizations with employee satisfaction listed as a priority are up to 24% more likely to expand cloud usage.

Insight

As we move ever further into the digital age, it's becoming clearer and clearer that the old adage “knowledge is power” has taken on the more modern and accurate form: “Data is money.” Hidden within the millions of bits of data that surround your customer transactions and business process are nuggets of invaluable, actionable information just waiting to be identified and acted upon. Of course, sifting through that data to find these kernels can be very difficult, unless you have access to the right cloud-computing solution. Many cloud-based storage solutions offer integrated cloud analytics for a bird's-eye view of your data. With your information stored in the cloud, you can easily implement tracking mechanisms and build customized reports to analyze information organization wide. From those insights, you can increase efficiencies and build action plans to meet organizational goals. For example, the beverage company Sunny Delight was able to increase profits by about $2 million a year and cut $195,000 in staffing costs through cloud-based business insights.

Quality Control:

There are few things as detrimental to the success of a business as poor quality and inconsistent reporting. In a cloud-based system, all documents are stored in one place and in a single format. With everyone accessing the same information, you can maintain consistency in data, avoid human error, and have a clear record of any revisions or updates. Conversely, managing information in silos can lead to employees accidentally saving different versions of documents, which leads to confusion and diluted data.

Loss Prevention

If your organization isn't investing in a cloud-computing solution, then all of your valuable data is inseparably tied to the office computers it resides in. This may not seem like a problem, but the reality is that if your local hardware experiences a problem, you might end up permanently losing your data. This is a more common problem than you might realize computers can malfunction for many reasons, from viral infections, to age-related hardware deterioration, to simple user error. Or, despite the best of intentions, they can be misplaced or stolen (over 10,000 laptops are reported lost every week at major airports). If you aren't on the cloud, you're at risk of losing all the information you had saved locally. With a cloud-based server, however, all the information you've uploaded to the cloud remains safe and easily accessible from any computer with an internet connection, even if the computer you regularly use isn't working.

Cost-effective Maintenance

Organizations using cloud computing can save money on both hardware and software upkeep. Because cloud service providers manage the maintenance and updates, businesses no longer need to make costly infrastructure investments or set aside resources for continuous maintenance.

Disdvantages

Cloud downtime

The cloud, like any other IT set-up, can experience technical problems such as reboots, network outages and downtime. These events can incapacitate business operations and processes, and can be damaging to business.

Limited control

The cloud service provider owns, manages and monitors the cloud infrastructure. You, as the customer, will have minimal control over it. You will be able to manage the applications, data and services operated on the cloud, but you won't normally have access to key administrative tasks, such as updating and managing firmware or accessing server shell.

Security and privacy

Although cloud service providers implement the best security standards and industry certifications, storing data and important files on external service providers always opens up risks. Any discussion involving data must address security and privacy, especially when it comes to managing sensitive data. We must not forget what happened at Code Space and the hacking of their AWS EC2 console, which led to data deletion and the eventual shutdown of the company. Their dependence on remote cloud-based infrastructure meant taking on the risks of outsourcing everything.Of course, any cloud computing service provider is expected to manage and safeguard the underlying hardware infrastructure of a deployment. However, your responsibilities lie in the realm of user access management, and it’s up to you to carefully weigh all the risk scenarios.Though recent breaches of credit card data and user login credentials are still fresh in the minds of the public, steps have been taken to ensure the safety of data. One such example is the General Data Protection Rule (GDPR), which was recently enacted in the European Union to provide users more control over their data. Nonetheless, you still need to be aware of your responsibilities and follow best practices.

Vulnerability to attack

Going on with the drawbacks of cloud computing, another one concerns vulnerability: in cloud computing, every component is online, which exposes potential vulnerabilities. Even the best teams suffer severe attacks and security breaches from time to time. Since cloud computing is built as a public service, it’s easy to run before you learn to walk. After all, no one at a cloud vendor checks your administration skills before granting you an account: all it takes to get started is generally a valid credit card.

Vendor lock-in

Vendor lock-in is another perceived disadvantage of cloud computing. Easy switching between cloud services is a service that hasn’t yet completely evolved, and organizations may find it difficult to migrate their services from one vendor to another. Differences between vendor platforms may create difficulties in migrating from one cloud platform to another, which could equate to additional costs and configuration complexities. Gaps or compromises made during migration could also expose your data to additional security and privacy vulnerabilities.

Cloud Computing

Function of Cloud Computing

Benefits

Advantages

Disdvantages

Conclusion