Cloud computing business solutions like Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services enable you to put costly IT resources in the cloud. With so many options, choosing the right mix for your business needs can be overwhelming. Here are some types of cloud computing business solutions and ways to integrate these technologies in your business this year.

Cloud Computing Business Solutions

Web-Based Services

Web-based services allow your business to select different web functions instead of a full-blown application. Using XML, UDDI open standards and other languages over a protocol backbone, web-based applications integrate with other parts of your business.

For instance, you can use web-based services for easy payroll and account processing. These services allow you to choose the assortment of web apps for your business. You can select individual services through multiple providers and use them along with your existing solution.

SaaS

Software as a Service (SaaS) is the most commonly used area of cloud computing that provides multiple cloud tenants access to a certain application.

Office 365 is a form of SaaS where anyone can open a monthly subscription to Microsoft’s suite of Office products. SaaS provides a complete solution owned and managed by an IT services provider. These solutions are optimal for end-user applications for daily operations.

IaaS

Infrastructure as a service (IaaS) includes the basic necessities for the cloud and offers access to network functions, virtual machines, dedicated hardware and storage space. These technologies serve as the foundation for your business operations, SaaS and other cloud-based services.

Windows Azure and Amazon Web Services are two common IaaS providers that enable you to outsource infrastructure like backup and storage space, space needed for testing and more. Azure offers access to virtual networks, service buses, message queues and non-relational storage platforms.

PaaS

Platform as a service (PaaS) includes the hardware and operating systems needed to deploy and manage cloud applications. PaaS helps increase business efficiency without the hassle of managing, planning, procuring and maintaining your cloud-based solution. PaaS and IaaS go hand-in-hand because you need a platform to manage the IT infrastructure.

Windows Azure cloud services is also a PaaS provider that supports .NET, Node.js, PHP, Python, Java and Ruby. With software development kits and Visual Studio at your disposal, developers can easily create and deploy applications. For storage, developers can choose from a SQL Database, Tables and Blobs.

Cloud Deployment Solutions

When considering which cloud computing solution is right for your business, you need to think in terms of hosted, hybrid or on-premises solutions. IaaS, SaaS and PaaS include the equipment software and applications that operate on the cloud. Hosted, hybrid and on-premises are the common deployment models of cloud computing. Let’s dive into these options a bit more.

Hosted

A hosted cloud is a complete cloud deployment with all the applications and services you need. In a hosted cloud, applications are already available, and new applications can be developed on low- or high-level infrastructure. Hosted cloud solutions are entirely managed, owned and maintained by a managed services provider and require monthly subscription fees.

Hybrid

Hybrid cloud deployments involve a combination of on-premises infrastructure with hosted applications. If you already have an on-premises solution but wish to migrate slowly, a hybrid cloud is a great solution. Hybrid solutions can help you grow your business and move into the cloud while you connect your internal systems. For instance, you can use your on-premises infrastructure for sensitive or critical work while a cloud provider hosts less critical network resources.

Learn how one nonprofit drastically reduced infrastructure costs with a hybrid cloud migration.

On-Premises

I know what you’re thinking: On-premises solutions are not cloud-based. But that’s not always the case. On-premises cloud solutions use virtualization and resource management tools. This scenario is called a private cloud.

On-premises solutions offer dedicated resources — but not the complete benefits of the cloud. On-premises solutions are great for setting up a frontend interface for clients and potential customers through accessible portals while keeping your sensitive resources private.

Regardless of your choices this year, cloud computing has become the standard for businesses to gain access to software, hardware and infrastructure resources.

Cloud computing business solutions allows your company to leverage resources that cloud service providers manage and store in private, secure servers and networks. Cloud solutions offer an easy solution to back up and mobilize network resources and data. Each type of cloud has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Need help mapping out the right cloud computing business solution for your unique situation? Contact the cloud experts at Agile IT for a free consultation.