Resource sharing and scalability are great news for running a cost-effective business, and this is what a public cloud offers. Whether you’re a cloud aficionado or new to the world of cloud computing, here’s everything you need to know about the public cloud, the advantages and disadvantages, and the structure. 

But Exactly What Is A Public Cloud?

A public cloud is a cloud service that is offered to multiple users by the cloud provider. The public cloud, like all cloud services, will run on remote servers that are managed by the provider, and customers access them over the internet.

Like the way electric, water, and transport services are the result of decades of infrastructural development, cloud computing is made available through network connections. Just as homeowners don’t oversee operations at the powerplant that generates their electricity, or own and maintain the roads that they use – the public cloud involves an agreement, use of resources, and payment for what is used. 

The provider maintains the hardware underneath the cloud, supports the network, and manages the virtualisation software, at a minimum – although other services are often offered.

The Structure…

A key positive of the public cloud architecture is that services or applications can be accessed on any internet-connected device. Highly complex applications can be accessed on the go, with little fear of data loss. 

There are 3 common public cloud models which are…

SaaS…

In the software as a service model, software is hosted in the cloud and the provider distributes this to users. Individual users don’t need to install software on their machines, and therefore organisations can cut down on costs for support and maintenance. SaaS is elastic and easily scalable, so you can add more licenses with ease. 

PaaS…

With platform as a service, organisations are able to develop software while the underlying infrastructure is built and maintained by the cloud provider. This allows for significant flexibility to ensure that the business needs are met, whilst also keeping maintenance and storage costs low. PaaS creates a managed environment bringing together a collection of components that would traditionally be managed separately. 

IaaS…

Infrastructure as a service involves organisations outsourcing their entire data centre to a cloud service provider. The cloud provider hosts everything – this includes storage servers and networking hardware. Adoption is simple and efficient, and the service completely negates the need for onsite maintenance.

The Pros And Cons Of Using A Public Cloud…

When making a decision about whether to use a public cloud for your business, it is important to look at the pros and cons. 

The Pros:

  • Your IT costs could be much lower. Public clouds are owned and resourced by teams that few businesses would be able to afford in-house. In addition, they are cheaper than private clouds because the costs are split between multiple customers.
  • Server management is dealt with by the public cloud provider – freeing up time in your organisation.
  • Public clouds offer excellent security measures, using innovative and expensive cybersecurity systems. This means that public clouds can provide the benefits of a high-end security package for a fraction of the cost.

The Cons:

  • Some businesses may be concerned about security and compliance, particularly those businesses which have strict regulatory standards. However, the security systems are usually better than an average organisation would be able to afford in-house.
  • Using a public cloud can make you reliant on the vendor, and this can lead to increased costs if you need to switch. This can be avoided by ensuring that the vendor you select doesn’t have a harsh lock-in policy in the contract.

Making The Switch To A Public Cloud…

When deciding whether to move your data and processes to a public cloud, you may be concerned about downtime during the process. However, with the correct support from your public cloud provider, the transition should be painless. Cloud computing also has the benefit of being hugely scalable – making future transitions much easier with minimal downtime.

The important thing is to choose your cloud provider wisely to ensure that everything is as smooth as possible. They should be on hand to plan, support you throughout the migration and ensure that your data is kept safe and compliant.

For more information regarding public cloud computing and how we can help, book a free audit below, or contact us…