Cloud Service Refers To The Set Of Software And Infrastructure Services That Are Set Up Based On The Cloud And Are Provided To Users Through The Internet.

Most of these services are set up to provide processing and storage infrastructure.

The provision of such a service is made by a third company whose field of work is cloud services. The cloud helps users overcome physical limitations and access storage resources, processing power, security mechanisms, information, etc.

Through the Internet, you are using standard devices such as laptops, tablets, smartphones, etc. Ease of access to information and simple sharing of information should be described as one of the brilliant advantages of cloud services.

How many categories are cloud services divided into?

All infrastructures, software-based solutions, and infrastructures that the Internet plays a crucial role in achieving and that allow users to access the desired facilities through the Internet without the need to install complex software on personal systems are included in the subcategory of cloud services. 

All services and technologies are available to users as a single service by placing these facilities on the cloud platform. This is why the mentioned services are available to users with the extension (as-a-service). Among the essential cloud services that are available to users these days, the following should be mentioned:

• Infrastructure as a service
• Platform as a service
• Software as a service
• Function as a service

How do cloud services work?

A cloud service, similar to other IT solutions, provides users with the services they need through the precise use of hardware and software. To be more specific, users only need an internet connection to access the services they want. Users do not require complex equipment to benefit from these services because most work is done in data centers.

To provide cloud services, service companies place powerful hardware equipment in data centers, such as servers, storage, switches, etc., to provide the processing resources users need through the cloud. Also, part of these resources are used to host cloud services, and what is provided as a service is an application, not an infrastructure.

An important thing to pay attention to in connection with the performance of cloud services is that the processing resources prepared in the host hardware, which are servers, are offered to users through virtualized solutions. More precisely, users do not have direct access to physical resources; everything they receive through the cloud is a virtual version of physical hardware.

Why are managed cloud services critical?

Managed Cloud Service is one of the emerging trends in cloud computing. In this cloud service model, the service provider company undertakes all or part of managing the processes of using a cloud service, including migration to the cloud, configuration, optimization, security, maintenance, etc., according to the agreement with the subscriber. This service model is done to simplify the use of cloud services and maximize the use of cloud services. This service has its advantages and disadvantages, as follows:

One of the advantages of using a managed cloud service should be the agreement between the two parties. The service provider prepares an infrastructure so the subscriber can best use the service capacities.

However, using a managed service does not entirely remove the responsibility from the receiving organization, but it can significantly simplify the maintenance and management of rented cloud services. These service models are more expensive than simple services and make the entire responsibility of service management not on the IT unit of the organization.

Using a managed cloud service is beneficial for small and medium-sized organizations or organizations that do not have enough expert and technical staff to manage information technology.

What are the uses of cloud services?

The introduction of cloud technologies into various businesses and industries has brought significant benefits to them. It has succeeded in being a worthy alternative to traditional methods, as it creates significant differences in results and allows businesses to Increase themselves with competitors.

Each organization can define different uses for a cloud service according to its goals, but the following can be listed among the expected benefits of cloud services:

• File storage: With various types of storage hardware, such as solid-state memories and internal and external hard drives, multiuser can have simple options for storing and maintaining files. However, cloud-based storage technology offers unique advantages such as high availability and flexibility, making users and businesses interested in this new storage method. In this case, we can access the files anytime and place using the Internet and increase the storage space with just a few simple clicks.

In the above method, users are not limited to specific hardware, and it is not like you are paying for space you will use in the future. Services such as AmazonS3, Dropbox, and OneDrive are well-known cloud storage options. These services provide users with a few gigs of free initial capacity.

Users must pay for more storage space according to the plans to access more.

• Extensive data analysis: To increase resilience in the market and gain a competitive advantage over competitors, businesses have to collect various data related to customers, new market trends, sales unit performance, etc., and by analyzing these data, create a suitable strategy to compile Collecting, maintaining and exploring this vast amount of data requires infrastructure and a suitable space for processing and storage. The high flexibility of cloud services and the possibility of paying according to consumption have made using a cloud service more economical and efficient than other infrastructure methods. Using extensive data analysis allows businesses to know customers and the market better and, with this knowledge, design and launch more appropriate marketing campaigns and products that meet customers’ needs.

• Customer relationship management software (CRM ): is among the most well-known tools that help organizations analyze customer information. This software is made available on the cloud platform to allow users to access the services in the best way.

• Data archive and backup: Cyber ​​attacks and online security threats may pose a severe challenge to the data of health and hospital organizations at any moment. The continued uninterrupted operation of such organizations requires that a backup copy of the data be prepared so that it can be quickly recovered and replaced in case of a problem with the original data. Traditional data storage and archiving methods have been suitable tools for users for a long time. Still, due to the portable nature of these hardware infrastructures, they are highly susceptible to being infected with various types of malware and physical damage.

On the other hand, cloud-based backup systems have solved these problems and provided organizations with an efficient data archiving and storage solution. In cloud backup, a new data version can be prepared continuously according to a specific schedule and replace the old versions.

In addition, it is possible to encrypt this data so that network administrators do not have to worry about information distortion.

• Software testing and development: Developers whose job is to write a program for the IT infrastructure of organizations know that preparing such an infrastructure that has good quality and does not cause problems in work is laborious and expensive. Such challenges prolong the time to complete the projects. This problem is not very interesting for developers who operate in a competitive market. The speed, quality, and ease of work can be increased using cloud computing and available cloud services. Developers can use the right tools that improve the integrity of the software development and testing process.

• Providing the necessary infrastructure through IaaS and PaaS: Setting up dedicated servers at the organization’s location depends on significant investments to purchase hardware equipment and employ specialist staff in a situation where migrating to the cloud and using cloud service to provide the organization’s IT infrastructure, this task can be significantly simplified and less troublesome. The infrastructure provided through this method has higher flexibility, scalability, and accessibility than traditional methods. A few clicks can reduce or increase the number of virtual machines at the organization’s disposal.

• Communication: Cloud computing allows users to communicate more efficiently and with fewer restrictions through cloud-based communication tools such as email services, online calendars, and messengers. All the texts and files exchanged on these cloud programs’ platforms are stored on the cloud infrastructure, and users can access these files and data with an internet connection through any device.

• Social networking: Social networking and infrastructure preparation for better access of people to a set of shared data are one of the powerful capabilities of cloud services. Standard social networks help users to do the networking process in the best way by providing a wide range of services that are based on SaaS development.

• Business management: tools such as enterprise resource planning and customer relationship management software are two examples of organizations’ business management tools. Althoughtware was available before the development of cloud technologies, their payment in the cloud platform has improved their functionality and city.

What has been the approach of organizations to cloud services in the world?

Cloud technologies are entering various aspects of personal and business life with staggering growth. Organizations, startups, large companies, and non-profit and commercial entities are gradually migrating to the cloud and using the services provided by this technology.

A report published by the RightScale Institute shows that more than 94% of large organizations use various cloud services in multiple forms. Statistics show that the use of public clouds is at the top of user demand, and private and hybrid clouds are also chosen depending on the needs of organizations.

Other service providers have entered this field, with the increasing demand for access to different cloud services. Google, Alibaba, Microsoft, Amazon, IBM, etc., are prominent cloud computing leaders. Most players in this field offer a wide range of cloud services. However, each one performs better than the competitors on one cloud service.

However, Amazon is far ahead of the competition. So that almost half of the infrastructure cloud service market around the world belongs to this company.

According to the statistics published by the Gartner Institute last year, Amazon has a 40.8% market share in infrastructure cloud services (IaaS) which is higher than its competitors. Microsoft is in the following position after Amazon, which has almost 20% market share. Next, Alibaba is in third place with 10%, and Google is in fourth place with a 7% share.

It is not harmful to know that in 2017, the global market value of cloud storage services was close to 30 billion dollars. This number recently had a high growth curve, reaching 61 billion dollars in 2020. Interestingly, this amount reached 76 billion dollars by the end of 2021 and is expected to get more than 390 billion by the end of 2028.

The most popular cloud service for data storage

Providing a space to store and maintain user data is the main application of cloud computing. Today, companies have offered various cloud storage services for business and personal use. Some of these services have a small volume and have been made available to users for free.

Statistics show that Google Drive is the most popular cloud storage service, with a 94% user share. Next, the third most popular storage services are Dropbox, with a 62% share, and Microsoft OneDrive, with a 39% share; according to published data, the number of users of Google Drive, the most popular cloud data storage service, exceeded one billion in 2018.

The fact is that with the expansion of cloud technologies, the use of different types of cloud services is increasing. Providing processing and storage infrastructures is one of the most significant achievements of cloud technologies. Finally, pay attention to the fact that hosting data on the Internet through cloud services will revolutionize user access and communication in the coming years.