What Is Cloud Computing?

Cloud computing refers to the delivery of innovative computing resources via the internet. This includes a wide range of resources, such as servers, data storage, networking, software and databases. Instead of keeping files on a local storage device or hard drive, cloud computing enables businesses to save them to a remote database. This allows companies to access this information remotely from any location.

There are several functions of cloud services that are used by small businesses, large corporations, government agencies, nonprofits and even individual consumers. Cloud computing services provide users with useful tools like digital storage, backup, data retrieval, email, video and audio streaming, software delivery on demand and the analysis of data.

Cloud computing is not just a piece of technology, but rather a system comprising three primary services: Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) and Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS). These main models each represent a unique part of the cloud computing stack and offer businesses varying levels of flexibility, control and management.

Most Important Benefits of Cloud Computing

Many businesses are making the move to cloud computing due to the numerous benefits that this cutting-edge technology delivers, such as improved security, scalability, cost savings and enhanced disaster recovery. Here is a closer look at some top benefits of cloud computing:

Increased Efficiency and Cost Reduction

An estimated 80 percent of companies report operation improvements within the first several months of adopting cloud computing, according to research published by Multisoft. Leveraging cloud computing technology increases the efficiency of businesses through improved accessibility and collaboration, simplified scalability and the ability to drive business growth. Cloud computing also has a positive impact on workplace productivity by boosting data security and recovery, allowing for timely upgrades and creating more efficient remote operations.
Cloud computing can also lead to cost savings. Small and larger enterprises alike are always looking for new ways to save money and switching to the cloud for storage is an excellent solution. Most cloud computing services charge on a per-user basis which means that businesses are only charged based on how many people require access to the cloud. This differs from traditional server setups in which a business pays a flat cost regardless of the number of users. Increased server space on cloud environments is also easier and less labor-intensive which can lead to extra savings.

Increased Data Security

Today, businesses are at a higher risk of viruses and hackers than ever before due to the rapid growth of technological tools and resources. According to Cybercriminal Ventures, cybercrime will cost the world more than $6 trillion by 2021. Businesses are especially vulnerable to these crimes due to the amount of sensitive information that they keep stored in their systems. Due to the importance of maintaining data security, cloud computing providers have made security a top priority.

Cloud computing offers a variety of advanced security features that help ensure that business data remains protected. Innovative security protocols prevent third parties from tampering with data being stored or transmitted. These solutions also help businesses stay in compliance with regulatory agencies. Companies are also able to supplement cloud computing security solutions with their own security measures for advanced protection.

Easily Scalable Measures

Growth is a common goal among businesses in all industries, regardless of size. However, traditional servers are not always growth-friendly and many businesses are forced to use servers that may be too large to prepare for future needs. Larger server sizes can be costly, especially when companies are stuck with an unnecessary amount of storage space.

Cloud computing helps to alleviate these problems by providing businesses with a model that grows as the company grows. In addition, the cloud can be easily downsized if a company decides to minimize their operations. Rather than having a specified amount of space, storage space on the cloud is flexible which allows businesses to scale up or down without added expenses.

Better Disaster Recovery

Downtime can result in substantial financial losses for businesses. Just one hour of downtime can cost a small company $8,000, a medium company $74,000 and a large company upwards of $700,000, according to Datto. This means that large enterprises lose $11,600 per minute of downtime.
Cloud computing provides businesses with fast access to data in all types of emergencies, from power outages to natural disasters. Once data has been uploaded to the cloud, it becomes accessible on any internet-enabled computer or device.

Speak to a Cloud Computing Expert at SeaGlass

Want to learn more about the benefits of cloud computing? Reach out to the cloud computing experts at SeaGlass Technology today.

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What Is Cloud Computing?

Cloud computing is the on-demand delivery of computing services, such as databases, storage, servers, networking, software, analytics and intelligence. These services are delivered over the internet or “cloud” which allows for nearly instantaneous access to critical business data and resources.
Instead of owning their own data center or computing infrastructure, businesses can rent access to storage, applications and other services from a cloud service provider. When businesses switch to the cloud, they can eliminate high upfront costs and technical challenges associated with owning and managing their own IT infrastructure. With cloud computing, they pay only for the services they use, when they use them.

Cloud computing can either be private or public. Private cloud services deliver services to a limited number of people. In comparison, public cloud services provide services over the internet for a fee. There is also a hybrid of these two options which combine elements of both private and public services.

The Three Types of Cloud Computing

There are three main types of cloud computing: Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) and Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS). There are some distinct differences between these three models and what they can offer a business in terms of storage and resources. The three types of cloud computing can also interact with one another to create a comprehensive cloud computing model.

Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)

Software-as-a-Service is one of the most popular forms of cloud computing. This method of software delivery allows data to be easily accessed from any device with an internet connection and web browser. SaaS is a complete software solution that companies can buy from a cloud service provider on a pay-as-you-go basis.
With Software-as-a-Service, a business rents the use of an app for their organization and its users are able to connect to it over the internet. The service provider is responsible for managing the software and hardware, as well as for keeping the app secure and up-to-date. With SaaS, businesses are able to get their business up and running quickly and at a minimal cost.

Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS)

Infrastructure-as-a-Service is another form of cloud computing that delivers fundamental network, storage and computer resources over the internet on a pay-as-you-go basis. In an IaaS model, the cloud provider hosts the components of the infrastructure that are traditionally present in an on-premises data center, such as storage, servers and networking hardware.
IaaS providers may also provide other key services, such as log access, detailed billing, security, monitoring, backup, recovery, replication and load balancing and clustering. Services and resources are accessed through a wide area network (WAN), such as the internet.

Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS)

Platform-as-a-Service differs from SaaS and IaaS as businesses rent everything that they need from a cloud provider to build an application, such as infrastructure, development tools and operating systems. PaaS aims to simplify the web application development process by allowing the cloud provider to handle all the backend management.
Businesses can access PaaS over any internet connection, which makes it possible to build entire applications in a web browser. The development environment is not locally hosted which means that developers can work on the application remotely from any location. Although developers have less control over the development environment, they can enjoy significantly less overhead.

Who Should Consider Cloud Computing?

There is a common misconception that cloud computing technology is used primarily by larger or established businesses. In reality, businesses of all sizes and in all industries can benefit from moving to the cloud. Cloud computing is a great option for any business that wants to save money, enhance its performance, promote scalability, improve collaboration and keep business data secure. Businesses that are considering moving to the cloud should consider their expected future costs of hardware infrastructure, storage capacity needs, security expectations and anticipated level of support.

Consider Cloud Computing Services with SeaGlass

Choosing the best model of cloud computing for an organization should be based on benefits, usability, cost efficiency, unique needs and the size of the business. As cloud computing can be a complex topic to navigate, consider speaking with an experienced cloud computing expert to learn more about these models. For more information, reach out to SeaGlass Technology for cloud computing services.

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How Does Cloud Computing Work?

Data is generally stored on servers (virtual or physical) that a cloud computing provider like Amazon’s AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure provides. The primary thing you need in order to use cloud computing services is a reliable Internet connection. Organizations have been striving to find ways to ensure cloud computing is performed with a certain degree of security, especially tech companies and government agencies that handle large amounts of sensitive information.

What Are the Different Types of Cloud Services?

There are many kinds of cloud services, although we will focus on three in particular: Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), and Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS).

Software-as-a-Service

Software-as-a-Service is a software licensing and distribution model that involves a third-party provider who hosts applications and allows consumers to easily access them on the Internet. Microsoft 365, Dropbox, and GoToMeeting are all examples of SaaS. Many of these types of software and applications are run directly through a web browser. Thus, they need no client-side installations or downloads. According to the IT management statistics provider Computer Economics, 60% of all businesses have now incorporated some types of SaaS solutions into their organization’s practices. Of these companies, 36% plan to increase investment in SaaS over the next few months.

Platform-as-a-Service

These types of services offer cloud components to some software while remaining primarily utilized for applications. The method for delivering PaaS is similar to the one used for SaaS, although there is one difference: rather than distribute the software online, PaaS offers a platform to create software. Common examples of PaaS include Google App Engine, AWS Elastic Beanstalk, Windows Azure, and OpenShift. One of the many benefits of PaaS is that very little coding is needed when compared to other types of cloud computing services. PaaS can also help automate your organization’s business policies.

Infrastructure-as-a-Service

Cloud infrastructure services, which are also called commonly IaaS, are comprised of automated and highly scalable computing resources. Thanks to IaaS, your organization can buy resources as necessary rather than purchase large packages that you may just partially need. The cloud servers that IaaS distributes are usually provided to a company via an API or a dashboard. Thus, clients can have virtually total control over the whole infrastructure.

One notable difference between IaaS and SaaS or PaaS is the fact that with IaaS, clients are the ones who have to manage applications, operating systems, and data, among other things. Nevertheless, IaaS providers still handle things like servers, hard drives, storage, and networking.

According to Statista, SaaS made up 64.16% of the global public cloud market share in 2016, a figure that marked a 10% drop from 2012. Meanwhile, the shares of both PaaS and IaaS increased by 0.01% and 10%, respectively, during this four-year span. This trend is expected to continue in the coming years, although SaaS is still projected to make up the largest share of cloud computing services overall.

Speak With SeaGlass Technology For More Information

Contact the professionals at SeaGlass Technology in New York City to learn more about how the cloud works and the benefits and disadvantages of services like SaaS, Paas, and IaaS. Our holistic approach is designed to help meet your organization’s unique needs.

The professionals at SeaGlass Technology are highly certified and know a lot about ISVs and OEMs, and we offer 24/7 monitoring and protection so that you have no need to worry about being attended to. Our affordable cloud-based solutions include monitoring, migration, configuration, security, server management, and disaster recovery. Our staff can assist your organization with iCloud, Office 365, SkyDrive, Hosted Microsoft Sharepoint, cloud backups, and Google Apps, among other things. We also provide a mix of public and private hybrid cloud services.

Call SeaGlass Technology today at (212) 886-0790 or contact us online to schedule a consultation or to learn more about our work.

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The Advantages Of Cloud Computing

The advantages of cloud computing can appear to be daunting. However, it can transform your organization in ways you may not have previously imagined. Here are seven notable benefits of cloud computing.

Back-up And Restore Data

After data is stored in the cloud, it becomes less challenging to complete the process of backing up and recovering this information. This endeavor can often be a significantly long and complex one. Thanks to the cloud, however, you can back up all your files in an amazingly short amount of time. A 2019 survey conducted by data management company Unitrends revealed that 84% of all organizations (and 93% of small businesses) use the cloud to store or backup data.

Reduced Costs

Cloud computing allows you to save significantly on capital costs, given that no physical hardware is needed in order to use the cloud. Additionally, your cloud service provider should typically be the one responsible for acquiring and managing any equipment that is essential to your organization’s practices. Don’t spend any sleepless nights worrying about capital investments and whether or not you will enjoy a sizable ROI!

High Speed

Except for certain scenarios, such as counting the number of clients whom you must repay or calculating how much cash you have on hand, when is high speed really considered a bad thing? With cloud computing, you can implement your services in just a few clicks. You can obtain all the essential resources faster than you can process.

Automatic Software Integration

Software integration refers to the process of joining multiple different kinds of software subsystems to form one unified system. The cloud permits this process to happen automatically. Thus, you don’t need to spend a large amount of time or create a whole team just to complete this undertaking. According to the International Data Group (IDG), 89% of companies still use Software-as-a-Service (SaaS).

Unlimited Storage Capacity

You can store virtually infinite amounts of data because of the cloud. However, if you are ever restricted by how much you can store, you may be offered the option of paying monthly fees for this benefit.

Collaboration Across Borders

Another great advantage cloud computing offers is the ability to collaborate with co-workers based in multiple geographic locations in a highly practical and secure way. If your organization has several offices, why not benefit from this?

Edge Over Competitors

Cloud computing can give your organization a strategic edge over your rivals, all while allowing you to access a wide range of applications in a cost-efficient manner.

Minor Cloud Computing Drawbacks

Cloud computing also carries some downsides, unfortunately. Here are three drawbacks:

Variable Performance

Cloud computing implies that your application is running on a server that is offering resources to many other organizations at the same time. A distributed-denial-of-service (DDOS) attack on your systems could impact your shared resource’s performance.

Internet Connectivity

A strong Internet connection is essential when it comes to cloud computing. If your connection is weak, your efforts to collect data may be severely hindered.

Lower Bandwidth

Some cloud storage service providers place limits on bandwidth for their users. Additional charges for extra usage could end up costing your business a hefty sum.

Nevertheless, don’t let these disadvantages cloud your judgment about cloud computing. This process certainly comes with more benefits than drawbacks.

Consult With SeaGlass Technology For More Information

Speak with the experts at SeaGlass Technology in New York City to learn more about the benefits of cloud computing. We are dedicated to providing innovative and efficient IT solutions to virtually all types of clients. No matter what your organization’s needs and concerns are, our team will be prepared to assist you.

SeaGlass’s IT staff can help you with iCloud, hosted exchange email, Office 365, SkyDrive, Hosted Sharepoint, Hybrid Cloud (public and private), cloud backups, Google Apps, and more. We are also highly knowledgeable about SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS. Call SeaGlass Technology today at (212) 886-0790 or contact us online to schedule a consultation or for more information about our services.

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What Is The Cloud?

The cloud refers to a network of computers and servers that allow information to be hosted and shared without the need for on-site hardware. Users can access their information over the Internet from various devices anywhere from secure remote servers. These servers host information and run applications, our clients can leverage the cloud as a basis to grow their own products and services.

What Are The Benefits Of Cloud Services?

Cloud services are beneficial to businesses that want to take advantage of existing tools to build their own products and scale quickly. Cloud services allow businesses to quickly access and share information across sales, operations, and other organizational teams while leveraging a variety of devices and without having to invest more time and resources into developing and maintaining the infrastructure internally.

Types Of IT Cloud Services

Some of the most common types of cloud services include the following:

Software As A Service (SaaS)

SaaS involves accessing computer software and applications that are hosted in a secure cloud environment. When subscribing to SaaS, the software and applications are delivered through remote connections to external servers. SaaS operators are responsible for operating and managing the servers as well as providing a secure/compliant infrastructure with secure connections to the software and applications. This is an advantage for organizations that use SaaS since they don’t have to worry about constantly updating and maintaining the software in their own on-premise environment.

Benefits Of SaaS

One of the many benefits our clients gain from subscribing to a Software as a Service solution is they no longer have to invest in the costly server hardware and maintenance, real estate, environmental, or air conditioning units. Instead, SaaS allows our clients to subscribe to software services while accessing the applications from any device connected to the internet. Another benefit is that clients do not have to worry about maintaining the software, which is operated and maintained by the party that owns the software.

Infrastructure As A Service (IaaS)

IaaS is a common form of IT cloud service that is generally used by small to medium-sized businesses. IaaS allows businesses to use computer servers, operating systems, and storage through virtualization technology. The servers and storage systems are hosted by an organization and businesses pay for the computing resources. IaaS is economical because businesses only pay for the resources that they use. This type of cloud service is excellent for businesses that want to scale their businesses in a manageable and sustainable fashion.

Benefits Of IaaS

Typically, our clients subscribe to IaaS services so they will not need to invest in a ton of expensive hardware. Our clients pay a relatively small fee to access as much processing power and data storage as they need. This is a great solution for those organizations that may need to scale up or down depending on business needs.

Platform As A Service (PaaS)

PaaS is a third form of IT cloud services in which organizations can use an outsourced server platform to host their own applications. The platform offered usually includes a server or server cluster, storage, firewall, and network connectivity. The organization usually leverages outsourced and internal resources to build or migrate their applications to the hosted platform provided by the PaaS provider.

Benefits Of PaaS

The Platform as a Service provides organizations with the ability to transition into the cloud using a hybrid approach, such as 24/7 hosted computing and storage for production, public cloud services for messaging, bulk data storage, and near-line business continuity services. The underlying hardware and software are ready to use and build upon. This allows our clients to avoid investing in costly equipment and PaaS includes the ability to scale the size of the platform as a business’s needs to grow.

Speak With A Professional Managed IT Services Provider

Every business has unique needs. At SeaGlass Technology, our cloud services professionals can assess and discuss your business’s needs and make the recommendations that will enable you to scale technologically quickly. Contact our experts at SeaGlass Technology to assist you with finding the right option for you.

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