Public Cloud Computing – Advantages and Considerations

How convenient is it to only pay for the services you use? Is it not? This convenience is everywhere including when you need extra storage, databases and even servers for your resources. Yes, we are talking about the public cloud computing model. 

Public cloud computing services are a better way to cost-effectively run a business, where all computing services are offered by a third party and you only pay for those you want. Think of it as renting out these resources instead of buying and maintaining them. 

Also known as the pay-per-use model, this cloud computing method asks for payment for the consumed resources. One of the key characteristics of this computing method is you can increase or decrease the resources. This method also allows you to access your resources from anywhere as well as share them with multiple users.  

Cloud Services Models Categorized As Per Business Needs

Since no business is the same hence their needs, preferences and technical requirements vary. Thus, the public cloud came up with different cloud computing models that can cater to a wide range of business needs. These models ensure that any one model aligns best with goals and constraints. Here we have listed different models which are classified into three categories IaaS vs PaaS vs SaaS.

IaaS ( Infrastructure as a Service)

The most fundamental cloud computing service offered by the public cloud is IaaS. This model offers businesses with virtual computing resources ranging from storage to networking. The best part of this model is that it offers granular control to the users where they are also responsible for managing OS, applications and security.  

IaaS is considered suitable for businesses that have in-house IT expertise and applications that require high performance and flexibility. 

PaaS (Platform as a Service)

The next model type is PaaS, as the name suggests it offers a platform for developing, testing, and deploying mobile applications. Conceptually, it removes the underlying infrastructure and provides development tools, databases and middleware allowing focus on app development without the need for infrastructure management. 

So you can say that PaaS reduces the overhead management stress while accelerating the app development lifecycle. Platform as a service is best and suitable for developers who want to develop applications independently and businesses who want to market apps speedily. 

SaaS (Software as a Service)

The third category software as a service abstract away the installation and maintenance of the resources. The SaaS model was meant to deliver the software applications over the internet which could be accessed by subscription method. 

Users are leveraged to access applications via web browsers with the lowest level of control among all cloud computing models. SaaS is best suitable for quick adoption and rapid deployment of the software. Businesses with limited IT resources and seeking reduced software cost are most likely to consider this model. 

Public cloud computing often presents a more compelling option for businesses due to its inherent advantages. By shifting capital expenditures to operational expenses, public clouds offer greater financial flexibility. Their ability to rapidly scale resources up or down aligns perfectly with fluctuating business demands, ensuring optimal resource utilization. Moreover, the speed and agility of public clouds accelerate time-to-market for new products and services.

Beyond cost-efficiency and scalability, public clouds provide access to a vast global infrastructure, enabling businesses to reach customers worldwide with improved performance and reliability. This, coupled with the ability to offload IT consulting to cloud providers, allows organizations to focus on their core competencies. While private clouds offer more control, public clouds generally deliver superior flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and speed, making them a preferred choice for many modern enterprises.

Amazon launched the first commercial cloud in 2006, and other providers quickly followed suit. Individuals and businesses can now choose from public, private, and hybrid cloud deployment models. Public clouds are owned by third-party providers, while private and hybrid systems require in-house infrastructure and management.  

Public cloud computing is currently the most popular option due to its unique benefits. Still, this isn’t the right deployment method for all users. Learn about the benefits and considerations to determine if public cloud computing is right for your needs.

Benefits of Public Cloud Computing

You can store, access, and secure data and applications on public, private, and hybrid cloud deployment models. While they share many similarities, you can’t ignore the benefits of public cloud computing over other systems, starting with affordability and ease of use. 

Deployment Is Fast and Affordable

Businesses have two main concerns when setting up a cloud deployment method: cost and deployment speed. Public clouds are superior to private and hybrid models in both cases.

Public cloud service providers already have the infrastructure in place, so users don’t need to purchase and install hardware or software. On the other hand, businesses that deploy private or hybrid clouds must pay for hardware and software upfront. Then, they have to pay IT staff to set up the system. 

Deployment is also much faster since users don’t have to set up the infrastructure when using a private cloud. Many businesses and individuals migrate to the cloud within hours of signing up for service. Compare that to hybrid and private cloud systems that can take months to deploy. 

No Maintenance Required

Businesses can take a hands-off approach to maintenance when using a public cloud. The service provider is responsible for maintaining, updating, and replacing hardware and software as needed. 

Maintenance costs are factored into the pricing model, so users pay a small monthly fee for this peace of mind. This fee is much easier to manage than the high costs of repairing and replacing hardware and software. 

Nearly Unlimited Scalability

A public cloud’s resources are available on demand, and users can scale up and down easily based on their current needs. Many public cloud providers offer auto-scaling, which increases or reduces resources based on the current load. Additionally, users can manually add or remove resources if they wish. 

With this model, businesses can grow without installing additional hardware and software and only pay for the needed services. This is yet another way that the public cloud is affordable.

Considerations When Using Public Cloud Computing

While public cloud computing is a good fit for most users, there are some potential issues to consider. These concerns don’t impact all users, but some businesses would have more success with public or hybrid clouds. 

Compliance Issues

Healthcare, finance, and other industries must comply with regulatory standards when storing and protecting data. Since multiple people share resources, maintaining compliance on the public cloud is challenging for some businesses.  

Hybrid and private cloud computing solutions allow users to maintain compliance. These systems enable users to store sensitive data in-house while following all the regulations. 

Latency

Network congestion and distance between the user and the server can cause latency when using the public cloud. Choosing a public cloud provider based on latency data is an effective strategy to increase speed. Working with a cloud management service provider can also help users avoid long lags when accessing applications or data. 

If speed is a big concern, businesses can use hybrid or private clouds instead. When properly installed, these systems respond to requests immediately. 

Lack of Control

Public cloud providers offer various services, and some allow limited customization. Still, users don’t have the freedom to update software code or make other changes based on specific needs.

The “one-size-fits-all” model provided by the public cloud meets the needs of most businesses, but not all. Businesses with unique needs may need to set up a private or hybrid cloud to control network configurations, software, hardware, and applications.  

Security

Since the public cloud is accessible to the public at large, it’s vulnerable to cyberattacks and other security concerns. The risk is greater than many realize since most third-party providers follow the shared responsibility model. 

Under the model, the provider and the user are responsible for securing cloud data. Essentially, the provider is responsible for keeping the infrastructure secure and free of cyberattacks. In contrast, users are responsible for everything they control, such as data and access management. 

Private clouds aren’t nearly as accessible since fewer people know they exist. They’re unlikely to get on a cybercriminal’s radar, and businesses can implement customized security features for extra protection.  

Cloud Management Services

Public cloud computing offers a transformative approach to IT infrastructure, providing businesses with unparalleled flexibility, scalability, and cost-efficiency. By offering a range of service models—IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS—public clouds cater to diverse organizational needs. 

Public cloud computing is affordable, scalable, and easy to deploy. You can simplify it even more by teaming up with a cloud management service provider. From reducing latency to improving security, a service provider can ensure your system meets the demands of your business from one year to the next.  

While delivering significant advantages, it’s essential to carefully evaluate factors such as security, data privacy, and vendor lock-in. A strategic approach to cloud adoption, coupled with a thorough understanding of available options, is crucial for maximizing the benefits of this technology.