Cloud Computing

Cloud computing; includes provision of servers, storage, databases, networking, software, analytics, and artificial intelligence via the cloud (internet) to offer faster innovation and flexibility. 

Cloud computing services eliminate the need for companies to set up their costly infrastructure. Instead, cloud service providers do this on their own servers and data centers. Data is stored on physical servers maintained by the cloud service provider. Users make data accessible from anywhere by saving it to the cloud platform instead of saving it on a hard disk. 

Many people tend to confuse the cloud with the internet. However, the cloud is just a part of the internet.

How Does Cloud Computing Work?

Companies can receive service from a cloud service provider instead of having their own computing infrastructure or data centers for faster innovation and easier data management.

One of the reasons companies buy cloud computing services is that having their own IT infrastructures can lead to complexity. In addition, maintaining them results in higher costs. Instead, they benefit from cloud computing services that they pay only as much as they use. 

The History of Cloud Computing

The history of cloud computing dates back to the 1960s. However, it became widespread as a term in the early 2000s.

In the 1950s, companies started using mainframe computers, but buying a computer for each user was very expensive. Thus, a concept called time-sharing was developed during this period. This time-sharing concept laid the foundation for modern cloud computing.

Between 1970 and 1980, technology giants like Microsoft, Apple, and IBM developed cloud server technologies. In 1999, Salesforce became the first company to offer web-based business applications.

The interest in the concept of cloud computing increased as computers became more affordable and widespread. After these developments, cloud computing providers like Amazon Web Services started to emerge. Today, many companies implement their storage and many other services over the cloud.

What Cloud Computing Services Are Available?

When cloud computing services first became widespread, they only provided storage services. However, today there are very varied cloud computing services.

With the advancing cloud computing services, services such as storage, network management, natural language processing, database management, office applications, artificial intelligence and even quantum can be purchased from a cloud provider. 

Almost every service that does not require physical proximity to computer hardware is now offered through the cloud. Cloud computing services are divided into three main categories:

IaaS

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) means that customers can rent the IT infrastructure they need. Physical servers, virtual servers, storage, and network services can be exampled for this. This is preferred by companies who do not want to build and manage their applications within their organization. Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP) are among the popular IaaS providers.

PaaS

Platform as a Service (PaaS) provides developers with a cloud-based platform for developing applications, in addition to storage, network communication, and servers. It includes tools and software that developers need to create applications such as middleware, database management. Heroku, AWS Elastic Beanstalk and Google App Engine  are among the popular PaaS providers.

SaaS

Software as a Service (SaaS) involves offering applications as a service. SaaS is the most common type of cloud computing we encounter today. Details such as hardware and operating system are irrelevant for the end user. So, there is no need for customers to manage the software. Pricing is usually set based on the number of users. Applications offered through SaaS include CRMs like Salesforce, Microsoft's Office 365. Also, Google Docs is a popular SaaS provider.

Cloud computing services can be distributed in three different ways:

1. Public cloud: Public cloud is a cloud platform that provides services over the internet. Public clouds are owned by third-party cloud service providers such as AWS, Azure, and GCP.
2. Private cloud: Refers to cloud computing operations that offer services over a private network. Private clouds are owned by in-house or external businesses.
3. Hybrid cloud: Hybrid cloud is a combination of public and private cloud computing services. 

Examples of Cloud Computing

1. Google Drive and Microsoft 365

These are cloud computing services where all data is stored online. Both services are accessible via the internet. Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Maps, Google Docs, Sheets and Slides are all cloud computing applications. Although they are used more on desktop computers, they are also used on tablets and smartphones. Users can access data stored in the cloud, presentations, and spreadsheets from anywhere they have internet, whenever they want.

2. Zoom

Zoom is a cloud-based video conference service that allows live chats. Also, Zoom allows you to record sessions for viewing later.

3. Apple iCloud

Apple iCloud is a cloud computing service that allows online storage, backup, and organization of emails, contacts, calendar, and photos. In addition to this feature, it is also used for file synchronization between Mac devices and iOS devices.

4. Dropbox

Dropbox is a simple and reliable file transfer and storage service based on the cloud. Dropbox helps you transfer or edit your photos and other files on the internet from computers using operating systems such as Windows, Mac OS, and Linux, and onto mobile devices.

What are the Cloud Computing Companies?

Google Cloud Platform, AWS, and Microsoft Azure are in competition. While AWS is the leader in cloud services, it is followed by Microsoft Azure. Amazon, Microsoft and Google continue to attract more than half of the worldwide cloud spending with their market shares. 

Companies like Alibaba Cloud, IBM, Dell, and Hewlett Packard Enterprise are also competing to get a share of the market. You can read the articles below to make comparisons and learn about cloud platforms.

• What is AWS?
• What is Azure?
• What is Google Cloud Platform?

What are the Cloud Computing Benefits?

• Lower costs: Using cloud services does not require companies to purchase or maintain their own computing infrastructure. They save costs by utilizing cloud-based applications that operate on a pay-as-you-go model. It also saves cost to host an application in the cloud instead of owning hardware or software for an application that is only used for specific activities or projects.
• Time saving: The cloud service provider takes care of buying servers, updating applications or operating systems, or decommissioning outdated hardware, saving companies time.
• More Reliable: Doing these services according to the skills within the company could reduce productivity. Having a cloud service do it provides users with a safer and more efficient service. Cloud computing provides users with security measures such as advanced security