Cloud computing: advantages, challenges, and future trends

August 24, 2023

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Before delivering or making computer services available over the internet, these have to be hosted somewhere. If, a few years ago, these services or products were hosted physically on a server (or some other device), today it is possible to store them on a virtual server. And it is this software availability made in a virtual manner that is called cloud computing.

In this article, we will address what cloud computing is and what models are associated with this emerging technology, what are the advantages and challenges of using it, and what are the future trends in cloud computing.

What is cloud computing?

This emerging technology emerged from the concept of sharing resources and data immediately, allowing teams and individuals to collaborate simultaneously. For it to work out, this technology depends on the virtualization of data storage environments and automation tools. That is how this emerging tech can provide services on demand.

Through cloud computing, it is possible for a client (which can be a search engine, for example) to be able to access databases, physical servers and even computers.

What are the types of cloud computing?

There are three major types of cloud computing: Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS).

IaaS – Infrastructure as a Service is the type of computing that transfers a company’s entire database (and its structure) to the cloud. To do so, the company has to rent servers, software and other IT structures.
PaaS – With Platform as a Service, cloud computing can host software and data so that you can access them from anywhere.
SaaS – In this type of computing, it is the supplier that undertakes to make software available, hosting it virtually. It is in this type of cloud computing that users can access software through search engines, for example, not being able to make changes.

Examples of this emerging technology

There are companies that rely heavily on cloud computing to deliver services.

This is the case with streaming services such as Netflix, HBO Max, Spotify, among others. File storage and software services, such as Google and Microsoft, also use cloud computing to facilitate the daily lives of users and continue to attract customers.

In addition to these, platforms such as Uber and Airbnb use cloud computing to store data and manage it. This way they can reach their goals faster and provide their services more efficiently.

Pros and cons of cloud computing

Cloud computing has gained more popularity in the last decade, especially for its benefits. However, with this emerging technology, not everything is perfect. Companies that want to work with cloud computing face some challenges that are more time consuming to solve.

What are the advantages?

As for the advantages of cloud computing, they can be listed:

Lower server costs – Virtual servers used for cloud computing can cost less than a physical server.
Less maintenance costs – When using cloud computing, users have access to software without the need to install and update it.
Less Processing Time – This emerging technology takes less time to process data and doesn’t put a strain on either the physical device or the server.
Flexibility – By working with this technology, companies can adjust resources to their needs without having to change some physical infrastructure and end up having more expenses.
Accessibility – With cloud computing it is possible to quickly access data, documentation, and software.
Collaboration – As it is possible to access and share documents and applications stored in the cloud, this technology allows for greater collaboration between teams and individuals.
Efficiency – Especially for developers and IT engineers, cloud computing enables more efficient development and faster project delivery.
Reliability – By being virtual, this type of data storage is highly reliable. And because there are automatic backups, data is not lost so easily.
Safer – The vast majority of companies working with cloud computing apply tight cybersecurity measures, ensuring the encryption and security of data stored there.
Sustainability – Cloud computing reduces the need for physical storage and reduces the use of paper. Moreover, for this technology to work, most of this IT is powered by renewable energy sources, reducing the technology’s environmental footprint.

And the challenges?

When companies give in to digital transformation and migrate their data and software to the cloud, there are challenges that they will have to respond to and overcome.

Security – Despite being one of the benefits, ensuring data security can be a challenge if the company does not have sufficient infrastructure or human resources.
Qualification – Ensuring that human resources have the necessary skills to operate the cloud infrastructure can be a time-consuming process.
Interoperability – Companies must ensure that systems already in use are compatible with cloud computing services, so that they can be integrated, and data can be migrated.
Connectivity – It is necessary for companies to have a fast enough bandwidth so that data migration can be done as quickly as possible and the whole project is not on hold.
Data management – Cloud computing is a complex process that requires good data management so that, in the end, it fulfills its purpose.

The future trends of cloud computing

And, because technology is not static, it almost stands to reason that cloud computing will not stop evolving either. In terms of forecast, there are people who point to a greater synergy between emerging technologies and those who point to more efficient data processing.

As a future trend, there is a prediction that cloud computing will have (even more) Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning as its partners for data analysis.

Edge computing is also seen as a future trend. That is, data processing is done closer to the source and not in a centralized environment. Thus, it is possible for applications to process data in real time in a virtually infallible way.

In turn, Serverless computing (without a server) will also be one of the most used approaches to cloud computing. With ever-increasing data migration, physical servers are no longer as necessary. In this way, companies will end up saving on physical infrastructure and environmental costs.

Throughout this process, automation becomes essential and will continue to develop and become more accessible to the public.

The hybrid cloud, in turn, will be more frequently used in the future, as it is an option with more flexibility than public and private clouds.