Introduction
Cloud computing is more than being a tech-savvy business, it is a management decision that directly increases the revenue, reduces the operational inefficiencies, builds a resilient business model, and helps in adaptation to a rapidly changing technological environment. Though this technology existed for more than two decades, it is surprisingly still a major innovation disruptor when it comes to competing with giant traditional business models. After all, YouTube, Instagram, GMAIL, etc. are all cloud-based applications. But before going further, take a simple scenario!
Cloud Computing: Win-Win for Everyone
Take an example, for a small company, buying an Adobe application could be expensive; so you subscribe and use the full application of Adobe and save the cost while enjoying the full benefits. Plus, it gets regularly updated with new features. Smart! Look from the other side, Adobe may find it difficult to expand to new markets as its expensive products are not affordable to small businesses, so they have installed the software on the cloud, now small business uses the full application for a monthly subscription and even stores the projects on the cloud without spending on creating its own storage and processing capabilities.
Thus focus shifts to productivity and goals not on buying and installing digital infrastructure.
You save money, and time and get universal access to Adobe User Account. The application you are using is accessible via that account from any terminal linked to the internet. Your application gets updated and the value of your subscription is thus justified. Adobe expands its business and gains more customers. Win-win situation.
Understanding the Cloud
As the sky is common above all, similarly cloud technology is a commonplace that provides SaaS (Software as Service), PaaS (Platform as Service), and IaaS (Infrastructure as Service). It is a very large-scale application of master-slave relationships, where a common server is accessed from anywhere via an internetwork connection.
In simple words, Google Drive provides IaaS when it gives you the service of a physical storage device that you can access via your Google Account. Similarly, the SaaS is provided as its user interface to navigate within that virtual storage. And you don’t need to own a server and design a user interface.
Businesses in 2022 are Moving Towards Cloud Computing
Covid has put the adoption of cloud computing to its top gear. Cloud computing has emerged not just as a hero that helped businesses to strive but is now an enabler of digital transformation that is quickly being translated into higher profits, better efficiencies, and more significant market share.
With advanced technologies, cloud computing is delivering synergetic benefits. Cloud computing in 2022 is redefining the business landscape in the following ways:
1. Security & Resilience in Cloud Computing is better than Private Security
Cyberattacks in general and ransomware, in particular, have caused havoc many times. Small businesses have a limit when it comes to spending on security. Whereas cloud service providers provide state of the art security, that too is regularly updated to meet the ongoing threat levels. Services such as Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) and Cloud-based disaster recovery (DR) help to control access and connectivity between cloud-based services and in-house digital infrastructure while also helping to recover the data in the face of any cyberattack or digital failure. All these features are in addition to traditional security measures that involve data encryption, user access controls, and monitoring.
2. Limitless Innovation in 2022 by harnessing Cloud Computing
Cloud computing today, is the basis of the IoT (Internet of Things) of tomorrow. Even developing new technologies is becoming easier with Kubernetes and containers being quickly adopted by DevOps globally. From pharmaceuticals to business analysis to city management, cloud computing is offering limitless capabilities. Central and a common platform where multiple variables can be connected, collated, curated, and examined by researchers, this increases the ability to research and bring more variables with real-time monitoring.
3. Cloud Computing: A Turnkey Project
Cloud Computing does not require any deployment or installation delays. It is like a “turnkey” project. Everything is in place, working, tested, and deployed by the “cloud service providers”, you just need to subscribe, log in and start using. Take an example, you don’t need to have your own servers and email protocols in place, log into Gmail and shoot the message. It’s safe, secure, and dependable, plus you can log in from any time and anywhere.
4. Cloud Computing is 2022 Startup Enabler
Emerging startups and firms are finding cloud computing to be not just economical but a smarter way of doing work. A common server accessible via the internet is managed by the service provider, while you can access it anytime. The service provider deals with the headache of security compliances, certificates, protocols, etc., while you use the digital infrastructure and platform by paying a nominal rent as compared to what you could have ended up spending if you had installed your own setup. This has made even the small businesses scale and match up to industry giants.
5. Cloud Computing is Getting Intelligent in 2022
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has enabled cloud computing to do more than just storage and processing power. Automation has enabled auto-scaling, handling, diverting, and managing traffic on web applications. This helps the businesses to leverage the full usability of their “rented” computing power and also the business efficiency of their original in-house application which is linked with the cloud. Its potential benefits are unlocking function-as-a-service (FaaS) and catering to decision making thus enabling businesses to be better informed. With cloud computing, the fruits of AI can be harnessed easily within affordable means.
6. Serverless Cloud Computing Era
Cloud computing is unlocking your capital. Going serverless means you save money when you scale up. As your significant investment is reduced and you get empowered by getting the flexibility to manage your bandwidth and storage. As it is event-based, thus resource allocation is triggered by the events. Thus, optimum utilization of resources. Thus, now instead of being dragged into the backend, you can focus the attention on customer touchpoints i.e. UX and UI. Apart from this, there are many tailor-made solutions for businesses like hybrid cloud models. You can have a dedicated cloud for your company or a mix-match of public and private infrastructure. Cloud computing is a universal yet customizable solution.
7. Connect, Collaborate, and Grow Business in 2022
Cloud computing makes it easier to connect and collaborate. When you have your data and resources on the cloud, then collaborating becomes all the easier. You can limit access and collaborate while hiding any confidential information. With increasing interdependence and interconnectivity of technology, cloud computing helps you connect with the ecosystem of technologies and solutions to serve the customers more efficiently while protecting your “tradecraft”.
Cloud computing is opening new vistas in 2022 and providing new growth opportunities and dimensions that were unavailable earlier. Cloud computing will be the force multiplier of business and will spell sustainability for businesses in the digital age.
