The term “cloud” in the context of technology means a system of servers that store data and applications on the Internet, and not on a personal computer or a local server. This allows you to access and use data and applications from any device and any geolocation where there is an Internet connection.

Key advantages

• Scalability. Cloud services can be increased or decreased depending on the needs of users.
• Economic efficiency. Users only pay for the resources they use, so there is no need for capital expenditures.
• Availability. Access to data and applications in the cloud is possible from anywhere, from any device and at any time.

The main types of cloud services

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). Provides computing resources via the Internet. Example: Amazon Web Services (AWS).

Platform as a Service (PaaS). Provides a platform that allows customers to develop, run and manage applications. Example: Microsoft Azure.

Software as a Service (SaaS). Provision of software applications via the Internet by subscription. Example: Google Workspace.

Cloud computing versus traditional computing

Cloud computing. Data and applications are stored on remote servers in data centers. Provides flexibility, scalability and cost savings for the business.

Traditional computing. Data and applications are stored on local servers or PCs. It does not have the flexibility and scalability of the cloud.

Cloud Computing Applications

Cloud computing is used in a wide range of fields and industries. Below are the main areas in which they are most common.

Business and entrepreneurship

• Storing and processing customer and transaction data.
• Development and deployment of enterprise applications and web services.
• Managing workloads and data backups.

Information technology

• Software testing and development in virtual environments.
• Management and monitoring of computing resources and networks.

Science and Research

• Climate and weather modeling.
• Genome analysis and bioinformatics.
• Simulations of physical phenomena and scientific calculations.

Healthcare

• Storage and processing of medical data and images.
• Telemedicine and long-distance medical consultations.
• Research in the field of medical records and drug therapy.

Finance

• Market analysis and investment strategies.
• Online banking and electronic payments.
• Automation of accounting and financial transactions.

Education

• Distance learning and e-learning materials.
• Managing student data and learning resources.

Entertainment and multimedia

• Storage and streaming of multimedia content.
• Game servers and cloud games.

Manufacturing and industry

• Supply chain and inventory management.
• Monitoring and analysis of equipment status (IoT).
• Optimization of production processes.

Government agencies

• E-government and the provision of online public services.
• Storage and processing of data about citizens.