Cloud Computing-
Before you go through this article, make sure that you have gone through the previous article on Basics of Cloud Computing.
We have discussed-
- Cloud computing is a general term for the delivery of computing services such as servers, storage, databases etc over the internet.
- Companies offering these computing services are called cloud providers and typically charge for cloud computing services based on usage.
In this article, we will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of cloud computing.
Advantages of Cloud Computing-
Some of the advantages of cloud computing are as follows-
1. Cost efficient-
Cloud computing is probably the most cost efficient method to use, maintain and upgrade. Traditional desktop software costs companies a lot in terms of finance. On the other hand, the cloud is available at much cheaper rates and hence significantly lowers the company’s IT expenses.
2. Unlimited Storage-
Storing information in the cloud gives you almost unlimited storage capacity. Hence, you need not worry about running out of storage space.
3. Backup and Recovery-
Since all your data is stored in the cloud, backing it up and restoring the same is relatively much easier than storing the same on a physical device. Furthermore, most cloud service providers are usually competent enough to handle recovery of information. This makes the entire process of backup and recovery much simpler than other traditional methods of data storage.
4. Easy access to information-
Once you register yourself in the cloud, you can access the information from anywhere, where there is an Internet connection. This convenient feature lets you move beyond time zone and geographic location issues.
5. Quick deployment-
Cloud computing gives you the advantage of quick deployment. Once you opt for this method of functioning, your entire system can be fully functional in a matter of a few minutes.
Disadvantages of Cloud Computing-
Some of the most important challenges of cloud computing are-
1. Security and Privacy-
The main challenge to cloud computing is how it addresses the security and privacy concerns of businesses thinking of adopting it. Hacking and various attacks to cloud infrastructure would affect multiple clients even if only one site is attacked.
2. Reliability and Availability-
Cloud providers still lack round-the-clock service which results in frequent outages. It is important to monitor the service being provided using internal or third-party tools.
3. Vendor Lock-in-
Businesses should have the leverage of migrating in and out of the cloud and switching service providers freely whenever they want and there should be no lock-in period.
4. Lack of executive support-
In one way or another, a lack of support generally comes down to fear, uncertainty and doubt.
5. Lack of skills, knowledge and expertise-
Many IT organizations may not have the necessary tools or resources to implement, monitor and manage cloud solutions.
6. Performance and bandwidth cost-
Businesses can save money on hardware but they have to spend more for the bandwidth. This can be a low cost for smaller applications but can be significantly high for the data intensive applications. Because of this, many businesses are waiting for a reduced cost before switching to the cloud.
7. Service Quality-
Service quality is one of the biggest factors for the enterprises not moving their business applications to cloud. They feel that the SLAs provided by the cloud providers today are not sufficient to guarantee the requirements for running production applications on cloud especially related to the performance, availability and scalability.
Next Article- Types of Cloud Computing
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