- Accessible on-demand;
- Accessible in self-service mode, thanks to the internet;
- Based on shared resources;
- Rapidly scalable;
From a commercial point of view, Cloud computing translates into the opportunity to reduce technological costs because, instead of investing in a proprietary solution, the company only pays for the use of the service. A bit like what happens with streaming services: we pay a fee to watch films and TV series, without incurring the costs associated with purchasing or renting the decoder.
This is possible because cloud services are used by numerous companies that use shared resources – servers, remote infrastructure, web – to achieve economies of scale and obtain flexible services, which all organizations can benefit from, at economically advantageous conditions. Businesses seeking cost-effective IT solutions often collaborate with cloud consulting companies to optimize their infrastructure. But what services does cloud computing provide? Let’s explore below!
Types of Cloud Computing Services and Their Benefits
The cloud computing landscape is dominated by three main service models:
- IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) is a cloud computing model where businesses can dynamically access and manage computing, storage, and networking resources while paying only for their consumption. Professional cloud consulting companies are crucial partners in reducing operational difficulties because they enable businesses to avoid the expense and complexity of buying, maintaining, and managing physical servers and information intermediary devices.
- Platform as a Service is a platform distributed as a service, therefore a development and production environment in the cloud. In this case, in addition to the infrastructure, the company can access and use, in the cloud, also services such as database management, business intelligence, development tools, operating systems, security systems, and application servers. Many cloud consulting companies provide robust PaaS solutions that help developers streamline their workflows.
- Software as a Service is the service that allows users to connect via the web to Apps and software in the cloud and use them. This category includes email systems, calendars such as, for example, Google Calendar, management software in the cloud, and many other applications and software used by millions of people every day. Organizations rely on cloud consulting companies to access a wide range of SaaS applications without investing in extensive IT infrastructure.
Therefore, depending on the chosen service type, the cloud enables the use of infrastructure and solutions without the need to install proprietary servers or bear maintenance and management costs. Consequently, the economic risk associated with an ICT project is reduced, as a company opting for Software as a Service, for example, does not need to invest in fixed capital but only incurs current and variable operating expenses. This choice enhances competitiveness by providing flexibility, speed, and improved time-to-market, highlighting the essential role of cloud consulting companies in modern digital transformation strategies.