Even those outside the tech field use cloud computing every day, often without realizing it.
When you access Google Maps, watch movies on Netflix, or listen to music on Spotify, you are using cloud computing.
If you are looking to implement cloud computing in your company, or are thinking about taking a course... Computer Engineering, Continue reading and understand how this system, which is revolutionizing the digital world, works.
What is cloud computing?
Cloud computing is the delivery of computing services over the internet.
Instead of companies needing to invest in physical servers, infrastructure, and specialized teams to manage all of this, they can use cloud services such as servers, storage, databases, software, etc.
This eliminates the need to install files and programs directly on your computer. The cloud allows you to access everything online, utilizing the capacity of external servers.
This prevents excessive use of your machine's memory and ensures greater efficiency in your daily tasks.
One of the main advantages of cloud computing is the on-demand model, meaning you only consume the resources you actually use.
For example:
- When watching a series on Netflix, the platform only loads the episode that will be watched at that moment.
- When you open Google Maps, only images of the region you are viewing are displayed, not the entire world.
Examples of cloud computing
The best way to understand how something works is by comparing it to something that is part of our daily lives.
Cloud computing is present in many solutions that we use frequently — often without realizing it.
Here are some examples of services that use cloud computing:
- Google Maps: It allows you to access maps of the entire world without needing to download everything to your phone. The content is loaded directly from the cloud, based on your location and browsing history.
- Streaming services: platforms such Netflix, Spotify e YouTube They store their movies, series, and music on internal servers and make them available only to subscribers. This way, you can watch or listen to whatever you want without taking up space on your device.
- Productivity tools: apps like Google Docs, Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive e Trello They allow you to create, edit, and share documents or manage tasks in real time, with everything automatically saved to the cloud.
- Cloud storage: services such Google Photos, Dropbox, iCloud e Mega They offer virtual space to securely store files, photos, and videos with remote access.
What is cloud computing used for?
Cloud computing allows you to store, access, and process large volumes of data securely and flexibly.
It is ideal for companies that need to protect information, ensure remote access, and easily scale resources.
Among its main functions are:
- Flexible capacity: You can choose and adjust processors, operating systems, and other features as needed.
- Storage and databases: Various secure options with automatic backup, according to the company's needs.
- Networks and remote access: With the data available online, teams can work from anywhere with internet access.
- Security: It protects data against unauthorized access, manages permissions, and enforces security policies with constant monitoring.
How does cloud computing work?
Cloud computing works by remotely accessing technology resources such as servers, storage, and software.
These resources can be deployed in three main ways: public, private, or hybrid cloud.
See below how each one works:
Public cloud
Public clouds are managed by external providers, such as AWS, Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud.
Examples of services that use the public cloud:
- Cloud storage: Google Drive, Dropbox;
- Streaming platforms: Netflix (uses AWS), Spotify;
- Web applications: Gmail, YouTube, Canva.
Files are shared between users, but with data security and isolation.
In a public cloud, all hardware, software, and other supporting infrastructure are owned and managed by the cloud service provider.
So, you access these services and manage your account using a web browser.
Private cloud
It is exclusive to a single company or organization. It can be hosted internally (in the company's own data center, known as "on-premises") or with a third-party provider, but with dedicated infrastructure.
Examples of private cloud usage:
- Internal management systems (ERP, corporate CRM);
- Environments with a high level of security, such as banks and hospitals;
- Companies that handle sensitive data, such as government and the legal sector.
Hybrid cloud
Combines features of public and private cloud, allowing data and applications to circulate between them as needed.
Hybrid Cloud offers greater flexibility, scalability, and security, in addition to optimizing the company's infrastructure.
Examples of hybrid cloud applications by companies:
- Hospitals and medical clinics: Patient records and test results are kept in private cloud, because they contain sensitive data. Online appointment scheduling and the institutional website run on public cloud, to facilitate user access
- Colleges and Universities: Academic information (grades, transcripts, documents) is kept in private cloud. Online classes, digital library, and educational videos are hosted on... public cloud, accessible to many users without overloading the system.
Types of cloud services
Cloud computing is offered in three main models: IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS.
They vary according to the level of control and practicality desired by the user, check them out:
IaaS – Infrastructure as a Service
IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) is the most basic and flexible model of cloud computing.
In this model, the company rents IT infrastructure resources — such as servers, networks, virtual machines, and operating systems — and pays only for what it uses.
This model is ideal for companies that need the autonomy to build and manage their own systems, but don't want to bear the costs of purchasing and maintaining physical equipment.
Some popular examples of IaaS services include:
- Amazon Web Services (AWS EC2);
- Google Compute Engine;
- Microsoft Azure (virtual machines and networking).
PaaS – Platform as a Service
Platform as a Service (PaaS) offers a complete environment for developing, testing, and deploying applications in the cloud, without the company needing to worry about the underlying infrastructure, such as servers, storage, and networks.
This model is ideal for developers and technology teams who want to focus solely on creating and managing applications, leaving all the technical infrastructure aspects to the cloud provider.
Examples of well-known PaaS services are:
- Google App Engine;
- Heroku;
- Microsoft Azure App Services;
- Salesforce Platform.
SaaS – Software as a Service
Software as a Service (SaaS) is the most commonly used model in everyday life. This occurs when you access and use a program directly through your browser, without needing to install anything on your computer.
Typically, it's a complete product, executed and managed by the service provider, offering everything from infrastructure to maintenance and updates to the app's software itself.
Common examples of SaaS are:
- Gmail, Outlook;
- Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides);
- Microsoft 365;
- Dropbox;
- Canva, Trello, Zoom, Netflix (with various uses).
It's the ideal model for those who want practicality and quick access to tools, without technical complications.
What is cloud computing used for?
You probably use cloud computing without realizing it when you send emails, edit documents, watch movies, listen to music, play games, or store files online.
Companies of all sizes and sectors are adopting this technology for various reasons.
See what's possible with cloud services:
- Create and deploy mobile and web applications quickly;
- Store, back up, and recover data from anywhere and any device;
- To transmit high-definition audio and video to global audiences;
- Analyzing data using artificial intelligence to make better decisions.
The importance of cloud computing for businesses.
After the Covid pandemic, cloud computing made working from home easier, and this work model has remained.
This technology allows professionals to work remotely, accessing data and systems from anywhere.
More and more companies are preferring cloud-based software over on-premises systems that limit access and overload equipment.
Therefore, modern companies seeking more mobile, flexible, and connected teams are investing in cloud storage.
How cloud computing can help your organization.
Cloud computing offers many benefits for businesses of all sizes. Check out some of the positive impacts it can have on your business:
- Reducing operational costs: Eliminate expenses related to physical servers, maintenance, and constant updates.
- Scalability on demand: Increase or decrease resources as needed by the business, without waste.
- Remote access: It allows teams to work from anywhere.
- Security and automated backup: Protect your data with encryption and constant backups.
- Real-time collaboration: Improve productivity with integrated tools and simultaneous access to documents and systems.
- Advanced data analytics: Use the power of the cloud to process large volumes of data and gain strategic insights.
Who should use cloud computing?
If your company handles a large volume of data, faces local storage limitations, or suffers from slow servers, cloud computing may be the ideal solution to optimize your technological processes.
Businesses of all sizes and sectors already use the cloud for various purposes: data backup and recovery, corporate email, virtual desktops, among others.
When your company's growth demands greater agility, scalability, and performance, the cloud allows you to expand your infrastructure without complications.
I hope you enjoyed the content!
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Get to know ESEG College.
A ESEG College It offers a degree in Computer Engineering, with subjects that include software and hardware development, automation, Data Science, and much more.
Part of the Etapa Group, with over 55 years of tradition in quality education, ESEG College was created to train you and closely support you throughout your academic journey.
If you're looking for a college with strong teaching, individualized attention, and a focus on the future, ESEG is the place for you.
Come to ESEG!
Get to know ESEG College.
ESEG College offers a degree in Computer Engineering, with subjects including software and hardware development, automation, Data Science, and much more.
Part of the Etapa Group, with over 55 years of tradition in quality education, ESEG College was created to train you and closely support you throughout your academic journey.
If you're looking for a college with strong teaching, individualized attention, and a focus on the future, ESEG is the place for you.
Come to ESEG!
