Cloud computing is the process of moving data and software to the cloud, allowing users to access them from any location with an internet connection. When businesses migrate to the cloud, they are able to eliminate expensive hardware investments and swiftly scale up or down infrastructure when needed. This lets companies innovate faster, without having to wait for the latest technology to arrive.
Enterprises benefit from the cloud the typically by hosting their applications on the servers of cloud service providers. This type of cloud computing is called Software-as-a-Service (SaaS). SaaS providers host all of the middleware, hardware and application software required for running an enterprise app in their data centers. They typically offer this service on a pay as you go basis, which means that customers only pay for what they utilize.
Another popular cloud service is called Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS). IaaS allows a company to lease the storage and hardware required for its own application in a cloud computing service’s data center. It’s like renting an apartment where you only pay for the rooms that you use, such as the kitchen when you eat dinner or the bedroom before you’re asleep.
Finally, a newer cloud service called Function-as-a-Service (FaaS) is emerging that offers even more scalability and agility for business users. FaaS splits cloud applications into small components that are only activated when they’re needed, so that you can pay for the resources you require only when you require them.