Cloud Computing: Definition, Importance, Benefits (2024)

What is “cloud computing”?

These days, it seems like everything is happening “in the cloud”. But what exactly is this nebulous concept?

Cloud computing is the on-demand delivery of computing services over the Internet via servers, storage, databases, networking, software, and more. It enables faster innovation, offers flexible resources, and provides economies of scale while allowing users to pay only for the services they use. This technology eliminates the need to buy and maintain physical data centres and servers, making it possible to access computing power, storage, and databases as cloud providers need. Cloud computing is available through various deployment models (public, private, hybrid) and service layers (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS), providing users with remote, on-demand access to computing resources and data storage over the Internet.

According to a Dell report companies that invest in big data, cloud, mobility, and security enjoy up to 53% faster revenue growth than their competitors. But more than that, they are using this technology to more efficiently run their organisations, better serve their customers, and dramatically increase their overall profit margins.

Moving to the cloud. Running in the cloud. Stored in the cloud. Accessed from the cloud: these days is seems like everything is happening “in the cloud”. But what exactly is this nebulous concept?

The short answer is that it's somewhere at the other end of your internet connection – a place where you can access apps and services, and where your data can be stored securely. The cloud is a big deal for three reasons:

  • It doesn't need any effort on your part to maintain or manage it.
  • It's effectively infinite in size, so you don't need to worry about it running out of capacity.
  • You can access cloud-based applications and services from anywhere – all you need is a device with an Internet connection.

That's important because there's a shift going on from office-based work to working on the move. This shift is reflected in computer hardware sales: in 2015 about 270 million desktop and laptop computers will be sold, compared to 325 million tablets and almost 2 billion smartphones.

That makes the cloud a very good place to run business software likecustomer relationship management (CRM)applications – software that users need to access reliably at any time, wherever they are, and on any device.

I don’t need a hard disk in my computer if I can get to the server faster… carrying around these non- connected computers is byzantine by comparison.

- Steve Jobs, 1997

Cloud Computing: Definition, Importance, Benefits (2024)

FAQs

Cloud Computing: Definition, Importance, Benefits? ›

Cloud computing leverages remote servers in vast data centers, segmenting physical servers into scalable virtual machines (VMs) for independent app and OS functionality. Resource pooling aggregates computing resources for on-demand allocation, enhancing utilization and rapid scaling.

What is cloud computing and its benefits? ›

Cloud computing is the on-demand delivery of computing services over the Internet via servers, storage, databases, networking, software, and more. It enables faster innovation, offers flexible resources, and provides economies of scale while allowing users to pay only for the services they use.

Which of the 7 benefits of cloud computing is the most important? ›

Flexibility is one of the most important benefits of cloud computing, as it allows access to applications and data from anywhere, through a simple internet connection.

What is the importance of cloud computing in our life? ›

Cloud computing offers businesses greater flexibility compared to local server hosting because it allows instant scalability. With cloud-based applications, you can increase or decrease the number of users as your needs change over time.

What is most important for cloud computing? ›

One of the most important concerns of cloud computing is security. As data is stored on remote servers, there is a risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, and data loss. Organizations need to ensure that their data is protected through encryption, access controls, and regular security audits.

What are the pros and cons of cloud computing? ›

Below we list pros and cons of this not-so-new technology.
  • Advantage #1: Disaster Recovery (DR) ...
  • Advantage #2: Access your data anywhere. ...
  • Advantage #3: Low cost. ...
  • Advantage #4: Scalability. ...
  • Advantage #5: Security. ...
  • Disadvantage #1: Lack of total control. ...
  • Disadvantage #2: Difficult to migrate. ...
  • Disadvantage #3: Requires Internet.

What is the cloud and why is it useful? ›

The cloud enables users to access the same files and applications from almost any device, because the computing and storage takes place on servers in a data center, instead of locally on the user device.

What are 3 benefits of a company using the cloud? ›

Benefits
  • High availability, even in the event of a natural disaster.
  • Your business can rent space on servers that you are able to manage remotely.
  • Ease of backups.
  • Ease of scaling server size and disk space (rapid elasticity).
  • Choice of data allowances.
  • Pay only for what is used.
  • Remote technicians at the provider.
Sep 20, 2023

What are 5 advantages of cloud storage? ›

The benefits of cloud storage
  • Accessibility and redundancy. ...
  • Data security. ...
  • Ability to collaborate on documents and files. ...
  • Scalability. ...
  • Cost and resource savings. ...
  • Compliance with legislation and regulations for storing data. ...
  • Archives and backup data.

How important is cloud computing in the future? ›

Cloud computing has revolutionized how businesses access computing resources, store data, and deploy applications. Instead of maintaining expensive on-premises infrastructure, companies can leverage the cloud for greater flexibility, cost-efficiency, and innovation.

How important is learning cloud computing? ›

Cloud computing technology makes it easier to perform backups, recover from disasters, and establish business continuity while saving companies money. Here, you'll learn more about the types of careers that benefit from cloud computing and how it can enhance your professional life.

How does cloud computing change our life? ›

Thanks to the cloud, you can expect to get earlier notice when things around your house or office are about to go on the fritz. For example, a cloud-based app alerts drivers of electric cars when their batteries will run out of juice, letting them get to a charging station without needing to call a tow truck.

What are the biggest benefits of cloud computing? ›

The top 10 benefits of cloud computing topics
  • Accessibility anywhere, with any device.
  • Ability to get rid of most or all hardware and software.
  • Centralized data security.
  • Higher performance and availability.
  • Quick application deployment.
  • Instant business insights.
  • Business continuity.
  • Price-performance and cost savings.

What are the four 4 benefits of cloud computing? ›

The Top 10 Benefits of Cloud Computing
  • Accessibility anywhere, with any device. ...
  • Ability to get rid of most or all hardware and software. ...
  • Centralized data security. ...
  • Higher performance and availability. ...
  • Quick application deployment. ...
  • Instant business insights. ...
  • Business continuity. ...
  • Price-performance and cost savings.

What is the main purpose of cloud services? ›

Cloud computing makes data backup, disaster recovery, and business continuity easier and less expensive because data can be mirrored at multiple redundant sites on the cloud provider's network.

What is cloud computing in simple words? ›

Simply put, cloud computing is the delivery of computing services—including servers, storage, databases, networking, software, analytics, and intelligence—over the Internet (“the cloud”) to offer faster innovation, flexible resources, and economies of scale.

What are the 4 types of cloud computing? ›

There are four main types of cloud computing: private clouds, public clouds, hybrid clouds, and multiclouds. There are also three main types of cloud computing services: Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS), Platforms-as-a-Service (PaaS), and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS).

What is an example of cloud computing? ›

What Is an Example of Cloud Computing? Several cloud computing applications are used by businesses and individuals, such as streaming platforms for audio or video, where the actual media files are stored remotely. Another would be data storage platforms like Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, or Box.

How does the cloud work? ›

Cloud servers work just like physical servers and they perform similar functions like storing data and running applications. Because cloud services are hosted by third-party providers, they deliver computing resources over a network, most often through the internet.

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