Cloud solutions are getting more and more attention these days. Cisco forecasts the share of the cloud technology in the computing powers worldwide will grow to 94% by 2021, and there is a reason for this tremendous expected market share.
The thing is, cloud services are the cutting-edge alternative to traditional data centers. Here are the main aspects making it a credible option nowadays:
- Accessibility. Once your files are on the cloud, they become universally accessible. You can get them anywhere whenever you need;
- Cloud security. Identity management, physical and personnel security, data encryption – all these security layers ensure your data integrity and privacy;
- Scalability. The majority of cloud service providers offers flexible cloud solutions. As businesses grow, they can extend their cloud computing capabilities without migration and server management. This is simply convenient;
- Cost-effectiveness. Businesses pay for the cloud powers they consume. Small and medium-sized enterprises benefit a lot from this billing model, as they often consume much less computing powers than conventional data centers provide.
As you see, moving your software product to the cloud may be a profitable decision. Let’s discover the cloud computing subtleties and find out how to integrate your software with cloud the most efficient way possible.
Cloud Technology: How It Works
Cloud software computing and storage is a generalizing term describing all the layers and processes in cloud computing. Let’s go deeper and understand how this technology functions.
Cloud Application: The Synergy of Local and Cloud-Based Components
The whole idea of the cloud approach is to move all sensitive and server-related data and files to the dedicated cloud storage and request data on the client-side from there. This provides a stable 24/7 app accessibility and maintenance expenses reduction.
From the user’s perspective, software products stored in the cloud and in the local data center look the same. However, he or she will notice a significant performance difference in the long run. Cloud solutions are usually more reliable and secure. Moreover, they provide better uptime rate, which is an indisputable advantage for performance-dependent apps.
Here are some of the software categories suitable for cloud technology integration:
- Fintech app. Constant sensitive transaction data flow requires a stable and secure connection. Cloud solution addresses the reliability issue;
- IoT app. Commercial Internet of Things software works with countless devices simultaneously. This increases the server load substantially. Cloud technology handles computing and increases IoT app performance;
- Blockchain app. Decentralized ledger technology is a complex system requiring enormous computing powers for network expansion and support. You can meet these needs with cloud integration.
To be completely honest, cloud technology can fit in almost every software development segment. You can implement these solutions anywhere nowadays, thanks to their flexibility and cost-effectiveness.
Cloud Infrastructure: The Service Delivery Model
Cloud services suppliers provide their products using the cloud infrastructure – a system of hardware and software components, creating an environment for the customer to use. In a nutshell, service providers offer configured virtual machines with pre-installed extensions ready for work.
Cloud infrastructure is the primary reason why cloud solutions are exceedingly convenient. You don’t have to care about the configuration. Instead, you focus on what matters to your business.
Cloud Orchestration: Become a Cloud Maestro
There are cases when a cloud user needs to divide his or her software product into several separate apps and stores them on a cloud. This is where cloud orchestration enters the scene.
We all know how difficult it can be to organize a sophisticated software product split into multiple modules working independently. Cloud orchestration is the approach to organizing product integrity, whether it’s completely deployed on a single cloud or distributed amongst several ones.
Users meet this challenge with the help of Orchestrators – cloud built-in software from a service provider. Whether it’s the IBM Orchestrator or Cloudify – orchestration software significantly facilitates the management process and lets you feel yourself a cloud maestro.
Cloud Migration: What to Keep in Mind
Cloud migration is the final round of cloud technology integration. It is a process of gathering all your business-related elements and moving them to the cloud environment. This includes all data, business software, other solution components integral to business functioning.
Now, although the process seems elementary, pay particular attention to the following cloud migration pitfalls:
- Data integrity concerns. Different platforms support different data types and schemas. Be ready to implement slight changes to your data model;
- Stored procedures migration. SPs are the common DB approach for traditional data servers. However, they are not widely supported by cloud environments;
- Security issues. You may find it challenging to maintain a high level of security during the migration process. What is more crucial, you won’t get that much of control you are used to with your dedicated data center. You should study the security capabilities of the selected cloud service provider and make the most of them.
Just make sure you keep in mind these aspects and stick to your migration plan.
Cloud Technology Integration: a Migration Plan and Tips
Now that you know how cloud tech impacts the business ecosystem, let’s figure out the migration plan that won’t take forever and find out how to make migration the most cost-effective possible.
1. Gather Your Business Info
The very first step of cloud integration is requirements gathering. Here are the questions you should get answers for in the first place:
- Downtime sensitivity. You should discover your application criticality by understanding for how long your app is ready to be on downtime;
- Current production level. Figure out whether your solution is in the development, testing, staging, or in production state. This determines how flexible your software is at the moment;
- App documentation. The more you know the app you are integrating with the cloud the better. Here’s the thing, you will split the software product into countless modules to successfully migrate the solution and adapt to the cloud environment you’ve chosen. It’s better to know how to assemble this monster back.
2. Pick a Cloud Services Provider
Select the most suitable service supplier, depending on the results of the first step. You may need a specific operating system and data structure or strict budget limitations adherence.
Fortunately, the major cloud services providers offer the cost-of-ownership calculators to make your budget planning easier, whether it’s AWS, Azure, or Google.
3. Pack Your Solution
OK, we’ve gathered all the needed data and selected a service supplier. Now it’s time for the actual migration process. Make sure you comply with the integration guidelines of your selected cloud provider. Backup all your data and files and let the process begin.
Cloud Solutions Costs: How Much I Have to Pay?
Cloud services costs vary depending on the powers your business software needs. The service supplier may charge you from $100 to thousands of dollars per month. Use the cost calculators we’ve been mentioning above to make sure you know exactly how much it is going to cost you.
The Bottom Line
Cloud technology is a progressive way to store and execute your software product these days. The broad range of services on the market allows you to create a flexible and cost-effective solution for your business.
If you need cloud consulting services or professional assistance in cloud integration, reach out to Gravum experts. Our dedicated team of professionals will help you to migrate your solution to the cloud in no time and without a headache. Don’t’ hesitate, drop us a line and make a step towards your business success.
