How do cloud platforms help small businesses?
What is cloud service?
Cloud services can include software, data storage, databases, servers, networks, computing, and other services that are available to organizations over the Internet.
In the past, users had to install the required software on their hardware and store their data locally. With the advent of cloud service, the need to install local software and hardware has been eliminated and allows users to use different services in any place and with any device on the Internet.
Today, cloud services have gained a special place in businesses and help organizations quickly adapt to the changing needs of the labor market and provide the best user experience. But what is cloud service and, how does it help businesses? In recent years, various models of cloud services such as SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS have been introduced, and in the following, we will explain and compare them with each other.
What is SaaS?
SaaS stands for "Software as a Service" and is software that is often available through the Internet and the user's browser. With this cloud service, customers can use that software on the cloud without worrying about the required software.
Benefits of SaaS:
• Save data online
• Access data and software with any device
• Easy data sharing between multiple users
Many Google services, such as Gmail, Google Drive, Google Sheets, Google Docs, Hangouts, and more provided to users with SaaS technology.
Disadvantages of SaaS:
The disadvantage of SaaS is the lack of control over the cloud-based infrastructure on which the service runs. Therefore, if the software provider encounters a problem, your access to the service will be disrupted and it will affect the business processes of your organization.
What is PaaS?
PaaS stands for "Platform as a Service". With the PaaS solution, there is no need to build and maintain the infrastructure needed for software development. PaaS allows developers to deploy applications without basic requirements such as operating systems, servers, databases, and development tools.
Benefits of PaaS
Paas service is very flexible in software development and, you can use existing software as well as your internal software according to your needs.
Commonly used PaaS applications include Google App Engine, IBM Watson Cloud, AWS Elastic Beanstalk, and more. In this software, source code is made available to developers and, they can change it according to their business needs.
What is IaaS?
IaaS stands for "Infrastructure as a Service" and is an Internet-accessible infrastructure that includes networks, servers, operating systems, and anything else needed to build and run systems.
Let's compare IaaS with other cloud service models. SaaS only provides the user interface, while PaaS lets you use the environment. IaaS has a complete computing infrastructure, and IaaS is arguably the most flexible cloud service model.
Benefits of IaaS
By using IaaS, the user has control over the background of the program, can specify hardware components, and customize operating systems to their liking.
In the IaaS service, the user will have much more freedom than in SaaS and PaaS, although he has more responsibilities.
Applications that use IaaS include:
Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Microsoft Azure
Main differences between SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS
In general, we can compare these three cloud service models from the following aspects:
Data and Software: When using the SaaS service, users have no worries about managing data usage or maintaining applications. PaaS and IaaS solutions, on the other hand, require users to manage their data and applications.
Operating systems: PaaS and SaaS do this for users to manage the operating system on which the software runs. But in the IaaS service, users are responsible for managing this aspect of technology.
Servers and data storage: Because all three cloud service models are provided over the Internet, they manage servers and store data for the user.
What are the benefits of using cloud platforms in small businesses?
Cloud solutions are software products that are accessible through the Internet. If in the past people downloaded software exclusively to a computer or server, today cloud technologies have given us access to applications through a web browser. These programs are especially popular among small and medium businesses. The popular magazine, IT CRN, estimates that small businesses now spend about $ 100 billion on cloud-based tools.
Many software developers today offer commercial software on the cloud platform. These solutions include office suites, customer relationship management systems, as well as industrial applications for sales, production, logistics, and more. And for example, separate products have been developed for each area of logistics: warehouse automation, transportation, logistics automation, and tender automation.
But why do small and medium-sized companies use cloud platforms in their business?
In this section, we will look at the benefits of cloud platforms for businesses and the reasons for the popularity of cloud platforms.
1. Flexibility
Suppose a company is active and continues to grow. In this case, if it uses cloud services, the flexibility of the company against the desired and unwanted factors will increase significantly.
2. Update the relevant software automatically
Research has shown that in 2010, British companies spent 18 working days a month maintaining and managing non-cloud systems. Cloud service providers are independently responsible for maintaining and updating servers, including ensuring data security.
3. No capital cost
Cloud solutions do not require capital to purchase servers and support them, and since they are implemented very quickly, the customer needs minimal effort to launch the project.
4. Increase interaction
Cloud technologies allow all employees of the company, regardless of their current location, to coordinate work with documents and plans and work in real-time.
5. Work from anywhere in the world
You only need one system and internet access to work with the cloud system, and you can work and perform your tasks wherever you like.
6. Information security
Tens of thousands of systems are lost every year. As a result, much confidential information is lost every year and causes much damage to companies. If information is stored in the cloud, no data will be lost.
7. Friendship with the environment
Research shows that using cloud technologies can reduce carbon dioxide emissions and energy consumption by at least 30%, which gives the business more points.
In short, cloud-based tools increase productivity, reduce organizational costs, and offer many other benefits to users.
Given the rapid growth of cloud-based technologies in recent years, businesses need to move to these types of technologies for continuity and continuous improvement.
If you have a company that does not have cloud technologies but, you intend to use them in the future, you can use the services and cloud products of Imen Aria Company. The company offers its cloud services with the highest level of security. Also, Imen Aria Company, as a social responsibility, offers all its cloud services for businesses whose boss has a disability, for free.
So do not hesitate and contact us soon to experience a unique cloud service experience for your business.
Saeed Souzangar
Network Security Instructure
Founder and CEO at imenaria.org
Products:
Onedesk.ir (Sales, Support and SaaS Based CRM)
Streamer.ir (Video On-Demand and Live Streaming Platform)
Cinemarex.tv (VOD)
