The evolution of technology has come up with advanced solutions for us to manage our work and businesses. If you have been using the latest technology for various needs, you might have come across the term ‘cloud hosting.’ While many people think of it as next-gen technology, others think of it as just a concept of storing data and applications virtually.
Before we move to the definition of cloud hosting, you might want to know what cloud is.
Understanding the Cloud Technology
Technically, the cloud is not any physical thing that you can point out. It is something that works in the backend to help you access its benefits remotely. In layman’s terms, the cloud is a method of storing data on a virtual machine and then accessing it via a network connection. You can think of the cloud as a giant computer with endless storage space and processing ability.
Here is an illustration to help you understand the working of cloud –
You bought an application or software which you want to use quite often. After installing it on your computer, you started using it locally and stored its data files on your computer. Unexpectedly, the hardware crashed, making you lose all the data saved in your system while also corrupting the software.
Now, think of the resolution to this problem in which you only access the data and applications via your computer while it is stored on a remote server. Even if the system crashes, there would be no harm to the data. This is what the cloud does to add to your benefits. With cloud hosting, the underlying idea of storage and accessibility remains the same.
What is Cloud Hosting?
It refers to the procurement of cloud computing resources from a third-party cloud service provider to host your data and applications. Based on the IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) model, cloud hosting provides several advantages over traditional local-host methodology. Based on your business-specific requirements, you can ask for a customized cloud hosting plan. The best part is that you need not invest in deploying and maintaining an in-house infrastructure.
In simple terms, cloud hosting also means utilizing virtual hardware, storage, and network owned by a cloud service provider. All computing resources are distributed amongst different clients who use the underlying infrastructure to host their data and software on the cloud servers.
Unlike traditional hosting methods, cloud hosting stores the data on a network of connected physical and virtual servers, ensuring higher flexibility and scalability. It also means that if one of the connected servers fails, another takes its load to keep everything functioning as smoothly as before.
Key Features of Cloud Hosting
- When you switch to cloud hosting, your applications and data are hosted on a network of cloud servers rather than an on-premise server.
- You can also scale the cloud computing resources up or down as per changing business needs.
- You only need to pay for the resources you use as per the cloud hosting plan chosen.
- You do not need to invest money in the required infrastructure for software deployment and maintenance.
- You get complete control over the dedicated server hosting your data and software on the cloud.
Benefits of Cloud Hosting for Your Business
1. High Uptime and Server Availability
If you have been hosting applications on the local systems or servers, the applications’ uptime depends on the server environment. If it goes offline or does not work for any reason, you will not be able to access the application or data. But with cloud hosting, you can enjoy high uptime as you will be using computing resources from multiple servers.
2. Easy to Set Up Cloud Servers
In general, you can switch to using cloud-hosted data and applications in significantly less time. The actual time it would take for your data to be migrated to a cloud server depends on the cloud service provider you hire. Overall, the process of setting up a cloud server takes much less time than building in-house infrastructure.
3. Safety from Local Hardware Problems
Hardware issues can cause data loss and often corrupts the software files stored in a local computer. However, with cloud hosting, you can isolate the data and applications from local hardware issues. In case of hardware failure, you need not worry about losing data stored on the cloud.
4. Enhanced Application Performance
Another advantage of cloud hosting is that it allows easier load balancing between cloud servers. This helps in reducing the stress on the resources of any single server connected to the cloud. As a result, you enjoy glitch-free performance of your cloud-hosted applications. You should also know that the software performance also depends on the computing resources you select while choosing a cloud hosting plan.
5. Easy Scalability
Investing in local IT infrastructure for business requires significant capital outflow irrespective of whether you would get to utilize it maximally or not. But with cloud hosting, computing resource scalability is not a problem at all. You get the flexibility to select specific cloud resources and scale them up or down as needed. This also helps save money in the long run.
6. Flexible Pricing
In traditional hosting applications, you need to invest a certain amount in IT infrastructure deployment regardless of whether you will use it entirely or not. But with cloud hosting, you only pay for the resources you use. In case you are expecting increased activity on your cloud-hosted applications for a specific period, you can upgrade your hosting plan for that period only.
7. Remote Software Accessibility
When you have an application installed on a local computer in your office, you can only use it when you are on the office premises. With the rising level of competition and the current pandemic situation, visiting an office premise is not feasible at all times. On the other hand, Cloud hosting makes it possible to access the application remotely no matter where you are and at any time.
8. Round-the-Clock Support
When you have business applications installed in-house, you can hire IT professionals but for limited working hours only. In case you want to work beyond that period and some technical error occurs, you have to wait till the next business day for any resolution. Cloud hosting is different in terms of support services. Depending on the service provider you choose, you can get 24×7 support from cloud professionals.
9. Real-time Collaboration
When you host your business applications on the cloud, you and your team members can access them simultaneously. Users can make changes in real-time and streamline their workflow to enjoy enhanced productivity. This is much different from having to share different files with team members to and fro via email.
10. Dedicated Cloud Server for All Your Applications
Another crucial benefit of cloud hosting is that you can choose dedicated cloud servers to host different business applications. This way, you need not worry about sharing cloud resources, as in shared hosting. You can enjoy top-notch performance of cloud-hosted applications backed by the power of cloud security.
You May Also Like Read: Difference Between Dedicated Cloud Hosting and Shared Hosting
Cloud Hosting FAQs
1. Why should I switch to cloud hosting?
If you are running a growing business and use multiple applications for different needs, local hosting may not be enough in the long run. With cloud hosting, you can save money while also enjoying various benefits of cloud technology.
2. What are the primary advantages of cloud hosting?
Managing cloud-hosted applications and data is easy. With a dedicated cloud server, you get complete control over the RAM, CPU, and storage while the team of cloud experts takes care of the server uptime.
3. Can I upgrade from local hosting to cloud hosting?
If you have been using locally installed applications, hosting them on the cloud is quite simple. All you have to do is contact us, and we will get things done for you. With our cloud hosting services, you get dedicated cloud resources to support your business.
4. How many applications can I host on a cloud server?
Cloud hosting does not have any limit on the number of licensed software you can host on a cloud server, provided you have selected the right plan with adequate computing resources.
