One of the problems that small and medium-sized businesses have when competing with large companies is the differences between their IT infrastructures. The IT personnel are often stretched so thin dealing with emergencies that they have no time to focus on the changes required in order to compete more effectively. Cloud computing offers CEOs of smaller companies the opportunity to take advantage of the latest technology and to level the playing field.
The Three Categories of Cloud Computing
1. Computing Capacity Only or Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS)
This service works best for a business that has IT expertise, but isn’t interested in the capital expenses involved with the installation and maintenance of servers, storage capacity or bandwidth.
2. Infrastructure Outsourcing or Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS)
Companies that need their custom applications and software use the cloud as a platform, already equipped with necessary development technologies such as Java, Python and Ruby on Rails. This allows coding to begin rapidly and when completed to send it to the vendor for hosting and availability.
3. Cloud-based Applications or Software-as-a-Service (SAAS)
This is the benefit of cloud computing used most often. The applications, such as Microsoft Office 365 or Google Apps, are accessed from the cloud instead of from the user’s hard drive or data center. Clients also choose to load their own mission-critical custom applications to the cloud instead of accessing them internally.
Benefits of Cloud Computing
1. Cloud offerings are leased instead of purchased; IT expenses become stable operating expenses instead of unpredictable capital expenses.
2. Clients aren’t responsible for maintaining anything to do with the cloud; the vendor handles it all, maintenance, administration, planning, backups and troubleshooting.
3. If changes are needed, such as more storage or the ability to handle more software, this can usually be provided quickly.
It’s been the norm for companies to manage and own their own data centers, computers and databases; cloud computing changes that. Ceres Technology Group provides Network Services in Boulder; they are well-equipped to set up, manage and support the computing infrastructure of your business. Discover the benefits of cloud computing, freeing up those unneeded capital expenses and the resources currently invested in IT support.
Of course, they offer a full range of Network Services in Boulder, including Managed IT Services, Security Services and Hardware and Software Services. Their technicians are also proficient with various business phone services, including the Mitel 5000. Click here to schedule a free IT assessment.
