1. Cloud computing is a system that provides immediate computer services via the internet, such as processing power, memory, and apps. It enables users to obtain and utilize these resources without the requirement for physical infrastructure, resulting in versatility, scalability, and cost-effectiveness. Cloud services are often delivered using a variety of models to meet a wide range of demands and use cases. This technology has transformed how organizations and individuals access and use computing resources, allowing for entrepreneurship and technological change across multiple industries.
2. Cloud computing is not a new technology per se, but rather a new model for delivering computing resources. Although cloud computing leverages some existing technologies like virtualization, distributed computing, and utility computing, it also incorporates some unique features including on-demand self-service, broad network access, resource pooling, rapid elasticity, and measured service.
3. Three main cloud service models are: Software as a Service (SaaS) - Google Workplace or Dropbox; Platform as a Service (PaaS) - Heroku or Microsoft Azure; Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) - Amazon EC2 or Google Compute Engine.
4. Healthcare: Cloud computing has revolutionized healthcare by enabling secure storage and sharing of patient records, facilitating telemedicine services, and powering data-intensive research and analytics. Education: Cloud computing has transformed learning by providing scalable platforms for online courses, enabling collaborative tools for students and teachers, and offering cost-effective solutions for educational institutions. Financial Services: The financial sector has greatly benefited from cloud computing, which offers enhanced data security, scalable infrastructure for handling large transaction volumes, and advanced analytics capabilities for risk management and fraud detection.
5. Cloud computing represents a shift from traditional IT infrastructure toward a service-oriented model. It provides on-demand access to computer resources (such as storage, processing power, and applications) via the internet on a pay-as-you-go basis, removing the need for big upfront hardware and software investments. This concept enables firms to swiftly scale resources up and down, paying only for what they use, resulting in significant cost savings and enhanced operational efficiency. Furthermore, cloud computing delegated the burden for managing and maintaining IT infrastructure to the service provider, allowing enterprises to focus on their core skills.
