Cloud Services
Cloud Services refer to a type of third party managed-hosted IT services that provide benefits that may include: extremely flexible deployment, dynamically scalable system sizing, ongoing system agility, very low cost of entry, and very high asset utilization. Although extremely agile, Cloud Services may not provide: the same level of IT Organizational control; the ability to meet stringent regulatory requirements; or the same level of physical security. But, for applications that fit the security and control profile, this can be a very potent solution to lower overall cost and to increase agility to meet the dynamic needs of your business.
Dedicated-Tenant Cloud Services: This term refers to the most established and widely deployed instance of Cloud Services. In this model, neither the hosted server/storage infrastructure nor software licenses are shared with other third party customers of the provider. The Dedicated-Tenant Cloud Service Provider may architect a tailored configuration to match a given client need, such as Backup or Disaster Recovery, and then implement and manage that infrastructure for a contracted term. In this model the customer can choose to either maintain capital ownership of the equipment and software licenses or have the cost bundled into the monthly service fee. This option is chosen by many Enterprises because it features a higher comfort-level regarding the security of the Enterprise Data while leveraging third party management, facilities and expertise.
Multi-Tenant Cloud Services: This model has experienced explosive growth for smaller and midsized Enterprises and for specific applications. The multi-tenant model provides: the most flexibility to deploy resources in granular amounts matching only what is needed; extremely easy and quick deployment of compute and storage resources; the lowest cost of both initiation and termination of services. Customers may purchase Multi-Tenant Cloud Services by the GB for storage, by the “slice” of processing power for compute, and add their choice of Linux/Unix/Windows OS to create a virtual environment for their needs. Multi-Tenant Cloud Services can be provisioned in minutes and may be contracted for very brief terms.
Software as a Service (SaaS): The SaaS model continues to gain traction with Enterprise organizations as a means to outsource the entire “care and feeding” of a particular Application to a third party provider. Applications that are commonly outsourced today, via the SaaS model, include: CRM (Salesforce.com), Messaging (MS Exchange), HR (Workday), and others.
Data Center Hybrid: Most Enterprises that are utilizing Cloud Services are doing so in a Hybrid fashion. That is to say, they are augmenting their traditional on-premises data center with selected integrated Cloud Services. Forward looking IT Managers have a plan for optimizing the further integration of Cloud Services in order to best serve their business constituents. This is commonly referred to as: Data Center Hybrid – learn more>>