How Enterprises Can Benefit from Unified Communications

CLOUD CONNECTIVITY – PUBLIC, PRIVATE AND HYBRID
In essence, cloud computing is the deliverance of computing solutions – servers, cache, databanks, networking, software, analytics and beyond – across the Internet (“known as the cloud”). Businesses that provide these computing services are known as cloud service providers and generally get paid for cloud computing services, depending on the use. This is just like the payment that you make for water or electricity at your residence or office.

One of the most noteworthy landmarks in the innovative domain of Information Technology is cloud computing. This novel service is the business of providing access to shared computing services on a payment basis. The edge of this is that it is economical and fast, without any compromise on efficiency.

The lifeline of every IT architecture is its data. It all depends on the management and application of data across multiple platforms. In addition, there is the cache. This is the extra data that is stored and updated to be used as and when required by the owning organisation.

When we talk about data storage in IT, cloud storage comes to our minds. We categorise cloud computing in three ways:

• Public clouds
• Private clouds
• Hybrids clouds

The choice of cloud storage – whether public cloud, private cloud or hybrid cloud – an individual or a company would go for depends on the kind of data they require to be stored and managed. Going forward, we will learn about what makes these categories of clouds different and special.

Public Clouds
The best thing about a public cloud is that the company that uses it gets to access shared information from any part of the world without having to use their own resources for it. A public cloud serves the twin purposes of allowing access to shared information as well as allowing the organisation to share its own information. This cloud is flexible enough to be upgraded to suit the company’s requirements, in addition to being affordable and efficient in terms of time management.

Public clouds offer an ocean of space, depending on your capacity to pay. In terms of technology, they are the most upgraded and the latest. Since they have a vast amount of critical data, they are always under a threat. However, this in no way implies vulnerability since their safety is paramount. They have all the security features required to thwart any kind of threat or theft. The domain is full of techno-wizards because this is their source of business. These tech-geeks are always trying and testing the cloud for any hacking or security threat and thus they keep making it safer. Another positive aspect about a public cloud is that since the data is spread across the world, any disaster attack turns feeble. Thus, it is disaster- resistant as well. As there is no hardware or infrastructure involved, there are no maintenance costs. This means that a public cloud is maintenance-free.

Private Clouds
A private cloud can be understood as the business of providing computing facilities across the Internet or a private network to a select group of users. In simpler terms, a private cloud is one in which only a specific user or group of users can operate. It is not open to the public. Likewise, the resources it hosts are accessible only to specific organisations.

If one requires a higher level of security than the public cloud, private cloud is the right choice.

Hybrid Clouds
A hybrid cloud, as the name sounds, is a mix of two or more different cloud types. When one requires having a blend of services of both the public cloud and the private cloud, they can opt for a hybrid cloud. It represents select parts of both the clouds and also operates connectivity between the two as its own individual character and according to the requirements of the respective organisation that uses it.

A hybrid environment is most optimum in scenarios where:

• It is sufficiently scalable to deal with the changing needs of an organisation. For example, it is flexible enough to absorb the features of a public cloud or those of a private cloud.
• It has security features similar to a private cloud.
• A hybrid cloud’s biggest benefit is cost saving, where it likens itself to a public cloud.

In conclusion, let us review why cloud computing appears so attractive. Single users, groups or companies, depending on their needs, consider cloud computing services as the most wanted. First, it is an improvement on the current systems and is usable by all (availability). Second, being handy is also an important factor in cloud computing (convenience). Third, it is always preferred to have a facility that can be reached from anywhere across the globe (universal accessibility). Fourth, it is always better to be safe than sorry (safe and secure). Finally, there is nothing like getting a better deal at a price that is easy on the pocket (inexpensive).