If you want to discuss the single most influential technology for the modern era, there’s a lot of competition—but the cloud is a serious contender. Through the cloud, your organization can pull off feats previously impossible for all but the largest and most profitable companies. Today, we want to look at how small businesses use the cloud and how you benefit from the various models.
Software Solutions in the Cloud
Most businesses use a Software as a Solution model for their cloud computing.
SaaS offers software, applications, and storage that is hosted in an online environment. Rather than purchasing the software outright, you basically get a user license that is based on a monthly subscription per user. All you have to do is make an account for each employee who uses the software.
It’s great for businesses that don’t want to manage or maintain software on their own in-house infrastructure, which can free resources up for other tasks.
Platform Solutions in the Cloud
Businesses that need to develop and deploy apps as part of their business model will appreciate Platform as a Service options.
PaaS offers businesses the ability to develop, test, and deploy their applications in a safe and controlled environment. This is a major benefit for companies that need to do this as part of their service offerings. Rather than delegate internal resources for management, maintenance, and operations, they can function without a worry, as the platform is not hosted on internal hardware or infrastructure.
Again, it all boils down to conserving your resources for other purposes, which is a recurring trend for cloud-based options.
Infrastructure Solutions in the Cloud
Infrastructure as a Service is perhaps the most top-level way to utilize the cloud for a SMB.
IaaS works by virtualizing hardware resources for access through the Internet. With IaaS, you can leverage virtual resources without setting up and implementing them in your physical space. You don’t need to invest in protecting, managing, or maintaining servers or desktops, and you can instead focus on running your business.
With solutions like IaaS, you can scale your infrastructure according to your business’ unique needs.
Hybrid Options for Businesses
The hybrid cloud takes the best aspects of the public and private cloud and combines them into an ideal solution for SMBs.
If you want flexibility and scalability, all while preserving the security of your company’s sensitive data, then typically you would want to invest in a private cloud solution. However, if you want a more hands-off approach to your infrastructure, you can opt for a hybrid cloud that is easy to use, optimized for costs, and in line with compliance standards. It’s a great way to get the benefits of both without sacrificing what’s important.
Moving to the cloud offers some huge benefits for small businesses, but there are a lot of moving parts and complexities that make it a challenge to get done. If you’d like to discuss how we can help your business do more and spend less, give us a call us at (610) 683-6883.