Switching to the cloud allows organisations of all different types and sizes to add greater speed, innovation and agility to their projects. The cloud computing revolution has been swift and impactful, reshaping the way we work, communicate and collaborate – those that don’t use it risk losing their competitive edge.
Still, there are leaders that remain hesitant about committing to cloud computing solutions for their organisations. With that in mind, we’re going to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of cloud computing in more detail to help you find the perfect solutions for all different types of projects.
What is cloud computing?
Cloud computing or cloud hosting is the on-demand delivery of IT resources, hardware, storage, databases, networking and software to businesses and individuals over the internet (usually with pay-as-you-go pricing). Basically, if you’re doing something that doesn’t use locally stored information or software, you’re using cloud computing.
In general, there are three main types of cloud computing: Platform as a Service, Infrastructure as a Service and Software as a Service.
Infrastructure as a Service
One of the simpler types of cloud computing, Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) focuses on server space, storage and networking. IaaS is highly scalable and can be tailored to your business’ needs. To put it simply, you’re renting out the infrastructure and can then purchase and install resources as and when you need them.
Platform as a Service
Similar to IaaS, Platform as a Service (PaaS) provides the infrastructure that you need to use cloud computing. The main difference is that with PaaS, you also have access to development tools, data management systems and more. Essentially, PaaS is designed to give you what you need to build, test, deploy, manage and even update easily. It does this while removing the need to purchase and manage software and licences.
Software as a Service
Software as a Service (SaaS) is the most comprehensive cloud computing type out of the three. SaaS provides everything you need to get your business up and running. This includes things such as servers, storage and developmental tools, similar to IaaS and PaaS. The biggest difference is that SaaS also provides access to web-based applications and software. An example of this would be Office 365. It provides you with email, calendaring tools and productivity software. This removes the need for you to manage your programs locally and keep on top of software updates.
Public cloud vs private cloud
When it comes to actually using these cloud computing services, there are two main cloud deployment models you can choose from – public cloud and private cloud.
If you choose to use these services within a public cloud environment, this will mean that the cloud environment you use will be shared by many businesses and individuals. Your data is still segmented into separate virtual environments to ensure data privacy, but the shared nature of the public cloud means that you have less control over your cloud solution – maintenance, upgrades, server hardware and cloud configuration are all handled by the public cloud provider.
Private cloud gives you much more control over your cloud environment because it’s dedicated entirely to your organisation. This is fantastic if you want more customisation potential and the ability to handle things like security yourself, but as you can imagine, maintaining a private cloud requires a lot more time and technical knowledge compared to using a public cloud hosted by a third-party cloud provider.
Learn more: Private cloud vs public cloud
The advantages of cloud computing
As with most technologies, cloud computing has grown and improved over the years. Although it’s been around for a while, more and more businesses are starting to increase their usage of it. Since the pandemic, it’s safe to say that some of this increase in usage is due to the need to adapt to remote and hybrid working models. Many small businesses (and some bigger ones) are realising just how much they can benefit from it. Of course, these benefits will vary depending on which type of cloud computing you opt for, but here are some of the main benefits of cloud computing to consider:
1. Quick deployment
Cloud computing servers can be whipped up in a matter of seconds, which is a nifty tool for developers, so they can quickly and easily test new ideas and design application architecture, allowing for more product innovation.
2. Scalability
Cloud computing gives your business more flexibility. You can quickly scale up resources and storage to meet business demands without having to invest in physical infrastructure.
3. Unlimited storage capacity
The cloud, for all intents and purposes, has an unlimited capacity to store data. But beware, the cost of storage goes up in line with the levels and availability of the data, performance and access frequency.
4. Flexibility
Because everything is stored in the cloud, you don't need to pay for, build or maintain any physical IT infrastructure, which means you can start and stop whenever you want, by simply pressing a few buttons.
5. Less responsibility
Cloud services are also normally managed and maintained by a third-party service provider. This allows IT teams to rapidly adjust power and storage without having to pay upfront infrastructure costs or set up and manage yet more systems and applications.
6. Accessibility
The beauty of cloud computing is that you can access your data and application from wherever and whenever you want, as long as you have an internet connection. Think of it like checking your email – everything’s stored for you on the internet, and as long as you’re connected, you can access it instantaneously.
7. More economical
Whatever cloud service model you choose, you only pay for the resources you actually use. That’s right – you’ll never have to worry about overbuilding or over-provisioning your server.
8. Advanced security
Contrary to widespread beliefs, cloud computing can have better security than other types of servers. Whilst some worry about the shared infrastructure of public cloud in particular, it’s worth bearing in mind that reputable cloud providers will implement robust security measures to protect your data, including encryption, firewalls, monitoring and more.
9. Data loss prevention
We’ve all been there. You’ve been working on a project for two hours. Suddenly, disaster strikes, and you lose your data with no backup at hand. Thankfully, cloud providers offer cloud backup and disaster recovery features. Storing data on the cloud guarantees that data is always available. Because there’s no physical infrastructure involved, your data can never be harmed. As long as you upload your data onto the cloud, it remains accessible from any computer with an internet connection.
There’s also the added peace of mind with cloud-based services, as they provide quick data recovery in other emergency situations such as natural disasters or power outages.
The disadvantages of cloud computing
Cloud computing has many advantages, and for most businesses it’s the logical way forward. However, this doesn’t mean that it’s the perfect solution for everyone. Here are some disadvantages of cloud computing to be aware of:
1. Requires internet access
One important thing to remember is that cloud computing requires a reliable connection to the internet. This may seem obvious, but if you don’t have access to a good internet connection that is regular and reliable, moving completely over to the cloud may not be the wisest decision.
2. Performance requirements
Another thing that you should bear in mind is what you need to use it for. Those who depend on resource-intensive applications that require performance-heavy computers may find that cloud computing doesn’t work for them on every level. If you use a lot of Adobe software or rendering programs, you may need to consider an alternative like dedicated hosting or Bare Metal hosting.
3. Security and privacy concerns
As mentioned earlier, all reputable cloud hosts should implement comprehensive security measures to keep your data safe. However, there’s always a risk of breaches when you choose to store your data externally – especially when you choose a global cloud network rather than a totally private dedicated server that’s exclusive to you.
4. Escalating costs
For some customers, only paying for the resources you use with cloud hosting can be more cost-effective than paying a fixed monthly cost for allocated resources or potentially over-provisioning your server. However, if your usage suddenly increases (i.e., if your website experiences large seasonal traffic fluctuations), your spending could potentially escalate very quickly.
5. Vendor lock-in
If you aren’t satisfied with your current cloud provider and want to move elsewhere, it may be difficult, time-consuming and disruptive to your business to make the switch. This is called vendor lock-in, and it’s even more of a risk if you rely heavily on your cloud provider’s proprietary cloud technologies, or if your provider’s systems don’t integrate well with other cloud systems.
Want to learn more about the cloud? Check out the Fasthosts blog for more cloud computing blog posts, including guides to cloud storage, sustainable cloud servers and more!
Or, if it sounds like cloud hosting isn’t really your thing, discover our VPS Hosting, Dedicated Hosting, Bare Metal Hosting and Shared Web Hosting deals. Our range of servers covers all budgets and resource requirements, and all hosting plans come with our 99.99% uptime and 24/7 customer support guarantees. Get in touch to find out more!
