Harnessing Cloud Solutions for Smart Devices
Cloud computing is both the present and future of business. Here, you can discover all the different ways that your organisation can harness cloud solutions for smart devices and modernise how you operate.
By now, almost everyone on the planet has heard about ‘cloud computing’, but how exactly does it work? Simply put, there are three main types of cloud computing. They are:
- Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
A cloud computing service where storage and networking resources are offered on demand over the internet.
- Platform as a Service (PaaS)
A cloud-based model that allows teams of developers to build and test applications quickly and cost-effectively.
- Software as a Service (SaaS)
A cloud-based method of providing software to businesses and customers. You host the applications, and the end users then access them online.
In this guide, you can read more about each of these three cloud computing types and how they are benefiting millions of businesses around the world.
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
Firstly, let’s start with Infrastructure as a Service. As you just read, IaaS is a type of cloud computing where storage and networking resources are offered on demand via the internet.
This enables both small- and large-size businesses to save money on hardware costs, gain access to valuable analytics, improve security, increase scalability, and more. These are some great benefits, which is why 4 out of 5 companies are now using at least two different IaaS providers. After all, it’s a great way to modernise how you operate and truly embrace the cloud.
Naturally, because the demand for IaaS is so high, there are lots of different IaaS providers on the market to choose from. As a business, the choice can be quite overwhelming, especially if you’re on a budget and don’t want to get locked into any expensive IaaS contracts.
Generally, when it comes to IasS, the best option is Microsoft Azure. To get a flexible Microsoft Azure contact that includes both Azure, Microsoft 365, and Dynamics 365, simply use Bytes. They’ll get a Microsoft licensing deal for your business that’s flexible and easy to understand, so you don’t have to worry about any hidden costs or complicated contracts.
Through Microsoft Azure’s IaaS, you’ll then be able to outsource all your networking and computing needs to Microsoft moving forward. What this means is that all the infrastructure previously hosted on your own servers will be handed over to Microsoft instead. You can then purchase, install, and operate all the software you like on it while experiencing huge cost savings along the way. It’s a no-brainer, really.
Platform as a Service (PaaS)
Next, there’s Platform as a Service. PaaS is great for developers, as it allows them to focus on code, not building and maintaining complicated infrastructures. They can focus on what they do best: creating applications that people love. This is why PaaS is incredibly popular amongst businesses with big teams of developers working for them.
Essentially, PaaS enables developers to access a software development platform over the internet. The benefit here is that developers can then build and deploy applications much quicker than they would normally be able to. Of course, this is all thanks to the cloud.
If you have developers working for your business, you’ll need to choose a good and reliable PaaS vendor. This choice is very important, as you’ll be dependent on your vendor while working on future application projects.
In terms of PaaS providers, you’re spoilt for choice. Some of the best (and most popular) PaaS providers include:
- Microsoft Azure
- Google Cloud Platform
- IBM Cloud
- Amazon Web Services
- Salesforce PaaS
As you would expect, the subscription plans vary in price, so you’ll need to compare them before committing to a specific PaaS provider. For example, if your developers are all Microsoft Azure certified, then Microsoft Azure will be the best option.
Software as a Service (SaaS)
Finally, you have Software as a Service. If you’re a business looking to become more modern and boost the productivity of your employees, then SaaS is absolutely essential, and it’s even more important if you have employees who are working from home or other remote locations.
Through SaaS, users can connect to all the cloud-based apps they need over the internet. For instance, if your team of employees use Microsoft 365 to access calendar and office tools, this would be via SaaS.
In a nutshell, SaaS is when software is provided on a pay-as-you-go basis over the internet from the service provider’s data centre. There’s minimal upfront cost involved here, which means that you and your team can start accessing the apps you need straight away with no hassle.
At this moment in time, there are literally thousands of SaaS products that your business can benefit from. The best part about this is that most SaaS products can be accessed from different internet devices, including smartphones, tablets, PCs, and laptops.
Here’s a list of some popular SaaS products that your business can benefit from:
- Shopify
- Salesforce
- Zoom
In the case of Shopify, you have a SaaS-based eCommerce platform based in online retail. Through Shopify, you have the amazing opportunity to sell products through your own online store, whether you sell homemade jewellery or electronics.
Salesforce is a hugely popular SaaS CRM platform designed for sales, marketing, analytics, and everything else in between. Essentially, it’s everything you want from a CRM platform if you’re looking to build customer relationships and drive those all-important sales higher.
The third (and final) example of a SaaS product is Zoom. Unless you were living on Mars during the global pandemic back in 2020, you’ll already know all about Zoom. If you don’t, here’s a reminder: Zoom is an online platform that allows individuals and companies to communicate virtually through video, audio, and webchat. Whether your employees want to use Zoom on iOS, Android, or a computer while they’re in the office, the freedom is theirs.
Conclusion
It’s now time to wrap up this cloud solutions guide. Hopefully, you’ll now understand more about cloud computing and how your business can benefit from the cloud across a variety of different smart devices.
Good luck and remember to use IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS cloud solutions to your advantage!