Cloud computing shifts the heavy lifting of analyzing data off the device you use to work and places it in massive computer clusters far away in cyberspace. It is possible to access these massive computers through the Internet. This allows you to access files as well as applications and development tools from any location. This lets you work more efficiently with your laptop on the train in a crowd or on your smartphone on a conference table.
This also means that if the power goes out in your office and you are not working, your work will be waiting for you when it turns back on since cloud storage keeps a backup of all your data and applications. Some of the largest companies around the globe have made the switch to the cloud and have evaluated its security and performance.
There are many different kinds of cloud services and deployment models. They are typically categorized into four service models: Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), Software as a Service (SaaS) and Serverless/Function-as-a-Service (FaaS). The terms “cloud” and “cloud computing” are often used interchangeably, but it’s crucial to know the difference between IaaS and PaaS and FaaS so you can determine which of these cloud deployment models will best meet your requirements.
IaaS is an online service that lets you rent a full stack of hardware, including firewalls, servers, and virtual machines by a cloud provider. This is a great option for companies that design specific or proprietary applications which require servers to be maintained and controlled, but do not need to spend time or money purchasing, storing and establishing their equipment.