Based on the concept of consuming computer resources with the help of remote server and software network groups, the "cloud" and/or "cloud applications" are actually interchangeable because of their reliance on centralized, secure data storage. Fundamental characteristics of the cloud include the ability to allow users to access an off-site (location and device independent) infrastructure via a web browser, enhance maintenance of cloud applications through multi-tenancy and increased productivity as hundreds of users could manage the same information simultaneously.
6 Benefits of Cloud Applications:
1. Global Command of Centralized Data
Since the hosting of cloud-based applications occur in one location, tech teams can maintain applications from a single location, eliminating the need to pay for additional employees. This also improves hierarchical operations by capitalizing on a tech team's expertise of their company's current situation. The ability to monitor individual server usage also facilitates the identification of deployments that may impede the performance of cloud applications and overburden the system.
2. Minimizes Resource Costs
Small and medium businesses using cloud-based applications will provide information resources to each employee at a cost-effective price. Neglecting to take advantage of cloud applications means that companies would have to buy licenses for all employees who require software to complete tasks. Alternately, depending on the cloud allows a business to purchases resources on an as-needed basis. Moreover, company owners do not need to include the cost of supplementary storage or infrastructure in their budgets to address a newly implemented cloud environment.
3. Intuitive Upgrades
IT teams involved in developing and promoting upgrades can achieve these upgrades simultaneously since cloud applications are hosted at one location. Comprehensive upgrades supported by cloud technology discourage discrepancies among applications that exhibit compatibility problems. By reducing discrepancies, IT members do not have to waste time dealing with project issues that could have been avoided. Also, cloud appstores usually let companies initiate new VMs of the latest software, which provides access to up-to-date software at no extra cost (only storage and bandwidth are included in the costs of cloud applications).
4. Cloud Applications are Simple to Launch
End users with little to no tech know-how can easily learn cloud-based applications, especially when applications are combined with cloud automation. This self-regulating capability allows anyone to launch applications and servers with one action while accommodating the need for on-demand usage. In addition, cloud automation appropriates established legacy infrastructures to facilitate the migration of systems to cloud-based platforms.
5. Exceptional Scalability
Scalability, or the capacity for a computer product/application to function strongly as it is altered in volume or scope to address user needs. In other words, cloud applications enable companies of all sizes to implement permanent or temporary computing resources (network, storage or memory) without performing costly and time-consuming operations. Flexible scalable solutions further reduce burdensome expenditures associated with IT investments that often interrupt critical cash flow.
6. Improves Security
In the beginning of the cloud revolution, worry about the security of data in the cloud quickly diminished as cloud providers sunk a huge amounts of money into securing site-specific infrastructure. Today, cloud applications are safer and more secure than ever from providers investing in cutting-edge preventatives and solutions that effectively averts loss, illegal procurement or other damage to user information placed in the cloud.
Finally, hybrid cloud computing (public, private or both) is proving to be a significant optimizer of company process performances by enhancing cloud applications and internal infrastructures. As a result of the growing popularity of hybrid cloud computing, the term corporate computing is now being used to indicate the blending of private clouds with public services while hybridizing data centers.