Cloud storage and management have taken the digital world by storm. People have now started to realize the seamless possibilities of cloud computing. Many industries have switched to online databases to serve their customers better and make their operations more efficient. Several upcoming companies are fully cloud-based because it suits their budget. Physical data storage solutions are expensive, not to forget the extravagant maintenance routine that comes with them.
Therefore, cloud database management offers a viable solution to businesses wherein they can cut operational costs without compromising work quality. We are now ready to usher in the era of 5G, which means the internet will be faster than ever. With the greater reach of faster internet, cloud-based systems seem far more practical now. However, cloud computing is not limited to databases; it is much more than that.
Many customer-based services are now making efficient use of cloud computing. The OTT platforms are the darling of every household nowadays. Streaming services have become a billion-dollar industry. This speaks volumes about the success of cloud computing. Additionally, with the advent of artificial intelligence and the internet of things, the need for cloud computing is now more than ever. People don’t realize this, but cloud computing has already become an intrinsic part of our life. Here are five real-world uses of cloud computing in everyday life.
Software as a Service (SaaS)
SaaS has been a crucial part of our lives for quite a while now. We use this service every day without realizing the importance of the cloud in our lives. SaaS is nothing but a web-based platform providing extensive customer service and support.
In this service, you don’t need dedicated software to carry out your operations. SaaS is entirely web-based; you have to log in to your ID and perform your tasks. Services like Dropbox, Gmail, iCloud, Hotmail, etc., are some of the services we have been using for ages. You can contribute to this industry by acquiring ample knowledge by going for cloud computing degrees.
These services only require you to punch in the URL in the address bar, and you are good to go. Initially, SaaS was limited to the email needs of people. Unlike our phones and tablets, the emails were not downloaded to our devices.
Instead, they were stored in cloud storage. Hence, every time you log in to your account, you can see all your messages. When SaaS was first introduced, the only drawback was that it could not be accessed offline.
SaaS couldn’t catch up in the absence of stable and cheap internet services. However, in the prospect era of 5G, SaaS has become much more viable. People can stay online continuously, which makes cloud-based systems more practical.
Therefore, SaaS service providers have expanded their domain; they now offer private cloud storage space, which is excellent for freeing up space on the device. People now back up their device data on SaaS-based services.
As discussed earlier, these services do not have dedicated software; they can, however, have their applications to ensure smooth working on mobile devices.
Platform as a Service (PaaS)
PaaS is the perfect amalgamation of web and database. This service is mostly availed by businesses and huge corporations, and several upcoming businesses have also shown interest in these services. Here you can take your website and backend of the database and store them in a central location on the cloud.
Service-based companies that develop software or complex algorithms for their clients use this service a lot. Storing in a central location means that the client can also track the progress and address the if any glitches.
Additionally, companies involved in other developmental work also avail of PaaS. However, remember that the central location here does not refer to a central location but a virtual location on the consolidated cloud storage given by the cloud service providers.
The physical storage could be spread out in different locations. The onus is on the service providers to maintain and service these physical servers. Hence, PaaS is a great way to save money on storage, and cloud storage is cheaper and easier to maintain. With the advent of faster and more stable internet, PaaS grows in popularity.
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
IaaS is nothing but an extension of PaaS. This service essentially provides you with a virtual infrastructure to carry on your business. Several companies that are engaged in digital services find IaaS very useful. IaaS service providers can hook you up with a stable network, business tools, software, and cloud storage.
The tools are essential for database management and assorted file storage. Now, this virtual infrastructure system is in itself a complete office setup. However, some large corporations can use this service as a supplement to their existing physical setup.
IaaS also includes virtual machines such as Hyper-V, VMware, File Storage, and Block. All these machines are all you need to carry out your business efficiently. IaaS is a perfect solution for cost management because you won’t have to spend on physical spaces and dedicated maintenance routines.
Your service provider will manage the physical space for you. All you have to do is pay a minimal cost, and you are good to go. Since remote working culture is catching up, businesses are looking for virtual office space solutions. Companies like Rackspace, Amazon, and Microsoft are some of the big names in this sector.
Backup as a Service (BaaS)
BaaS service aims to improve the data recovery mechanisms. The data transaction is vast in general business operations, and people deal with bulk data. Many of those data have a temporary utility, or they are just ancillary to the primary data.
So, people do not care much about this easily recoverable data.However, you would want to ensure utmost data security when it comes to sensitive personal information. Details like intimate photos, bank details, etc., require high-level security and protection. Usually, people buy an external storage device such as a hard disk and create a secondary backup on these physical devices. While this is a great idea, there are some caveats to it.
Firstly, the space on a physical device is limited. So, you will have to keep upgrading your devices, which can be costly. Next, physical storage is local to the concerned device. For other devices, you may have to invest in more storage units. This can rack up your data security costs heavily.
Also, let’s not forget the idea of accidentally destroying physical devices. Here, the BaaS service offers a long-term and practical solution. You can backup all your information on a personal cloud storage space and link your account to all the devices you use.
Hence, you will be able to access all the data from all the devices, and you can create a backup for as many devices as you want. BaaS is also available for large-scale operations such as companies and huge corporations. Service providers like Veritas offer reliable data backup solutions for businesses.
Conclusion
Cloud computing and management is a booming industry, and businesses are constantly looking for skilled professionals who can handle their cloud-based operations. You can become a cloud architect, cloud engineer, or cloud software developer to make a successful career in this field.
With Great Learning, you can polish your skills and learn everything about cloud computing and management. Additionally, you can improve your qualifications by completing desirable courses like the PG program in cloud computing UT Austin on this platform.
