Everyone is talking about the cloud but what does it actually mean? What is the cloud? How does it work? These are all questions you’ve probably heard or asked yourself.
To put it simply, cloud computing is storing and accessing data or programs over the internet rather than using your computer’s hard drive. With the cloud, users can access applications, files or other software on any device anywhere – it isn’t just limited to one computer.
This means that you don’t have to worry about storage or power, or even security. Even if your device is corrupted or stolen, your files will still be stored securely in the cloud.
Types Of Cloud Computing
IaaS (Infrastructure-as-a-Service)
IaaS is one of the layers in cloud computing. This is hardware provided by an external provider and managed for you. The client is given access to all the visualised components in order to create their own IT platforms. Simply, IaaS means a third party hosts elements of infrastructure, such as hardware, software, servers and storage, also providing backup, security, and maintenance.
PaaS (Platform-as-a-Service)
Platform based service that allows users to develop, run and manage applications without the complexities of building and maintaining an infrastructure. There are several types of PaaS, including public, private, and hybrid.
Public – Hosted in the cloud but managed by the provider.
Private – Hosted in onsite servers or private networks, and is maintained by the user.
Hybrid – A combination of public and private, allowing the user to access applications from multiple infrastructures.
SaaS (Software-as-a-Service)
SaaS is a subscription-based model where software is stored in the cloud and can be accessed via the internet. Some examples would include Netflix, Outlook 365 and Google Apps.
Business Benefits of Cloud Storage
For consumers, using the cloud is very different from the way businesses would use it. Most people are often unaware they are even using the cloud. They’re oblivious to the fact that checking emails, playing games, sharing videos or other content actually involves cloud computing. They might not recognise that they’re performing activities in the cloud but are relying heavily on those services.
The cloud computing system is now widely used in e-commerce businesses and in a majority of businesses. It’s changing how the entire industry grows. With several benefits including: reduced costs, ease of use, and flexibility, your business should embrace cloud technology to avoid falling behind your competitors. Several business types can benefit from implementing the cloud. Particularly the hospitality sector, which the cloud has revolutionised multiple aspects of business management and performance. See a few examples of benefits below.
Cost Saving
Upfront costs are low as you only pay for the storage you need and the power required to operate your hardware. Storing files within the cloud rather than an on-site computer will dramatically cut hardware costs. You can receive software updates eliminating the need to install new equipment each time there is an update. So, if business starts to boom and you need additional storage without any hassle, you can pay for the cloud storage accordingly.
Flexibility
With the cloud, you can work remotely without sacrificing productivity. As long as your device is connected to the internet it can be accessed from anywhere. This means you can view business data in real-time wherever you are. The world is your office!
Customer Experience
Everything is quicker and more responsive with the cloud, so you can adhere to customer’s demands in a faster, more efficient way. It reduces downtime too, meaning your customers will spend less time waiting in the queue as staff productivity is increased.
Back Up
Backing up your data is essential so you don’t lose everything in cases of theft or malfunction. With the cloud, this is done as you work, but will also produce copies which will be stored off-site where it is secure and safe. So even if disaster strikes at your location, all backed up data will be retrievable.
It’s clear that cloud computing benefits the hospitality industry – not only for business management, but for staff and customers, too. If you’re ready to develop your business with innovative cloud technology and software, check out Spark EPoS to find out more information, or book a demo today. You will not be disappointed!
