The benefits of cloud computing are endless, but the types of cloud services offered are quite varied. While cloud services are evolving, their purpose remains universal. They provide easy, scalable access to resources and applications. This gives business owners the ability take advantage of some of the latest technologies without spending a fortune.
While there are many ways companies incorporate cloud computing in their business model, from providing virtual offices to payroll, there are several different types of services to choose from. Below are six different types of cloud computing and a little about what they offer.
- Web-based cloud services: These services give businesses the option of utilizing certain web service functionality without dedicating in-house resources. For instance, payroll or credit card processing and email.
- Service commerce: This is a mix of managed and Software as a service (SaaS)and works by providing a core of interactive services for the end-user. Typical use involves such things as expense tracking or virtual assistant service.
- Software as a Service (SaaS): This solution is common in sales and cloud accounting. It provides an application to multiple users, typically over the browser.
- Managed Services: This is perhaps the most familiar of cloud solutions. A cloud provider uses applications rather than the client. You’ll see it in anti-malware or application monitoring services.
- Platform as a Service: To allow more security and easier collaboration, this service allows you to run your own applications from the cloud provider’s infrastructure instead of your own server.
- Utility cloud services: These are virtual storage and servers that can be accessed on the fly. Companies can even use them to create virtual data centers.
As cloud computing evolves and becomes more necessary for modern business we will definitely see an expansion of services in the near future. In the meantime, the current offerings are exciting and can be used in a variety of ways to help companies grow.