Types, features and application of cloud services

What are cloud technologies?

Each of us interacts with cloud solutions on a daily basis, often without even thinking about it. Email, online storage, photo and video processing services, video calls, collaborative document editing — all of these are examples of working «in the cloud».

Cloud technology is a collection of software and hardware resources in the form of Internet services designed to solve user problems. The main goal of this technology is to reduce the load on users' computers by taking on some of the computing costs and providing memory for data storage.

• Save on equipment purchase and maintenance costs.
• Gain access to cutting-edge technologies without significant investment.
• Ensure business flexibility and scalability.

Types of cloud services

Based on ownership, clouds are divided into:

1. Public.

   Various companies and individual users can access the resources of such a cloud. All responsibility for managing and operating such a cloud lies with its creator.

2. Private.

   This type of infrastructure is owned and used by a single company. Management and maintenance can be performed independently or outsourced. Physically, the infrastructure can also be located on the company's premises or at an external operator's site.

3. Hybrid.

   These clouds combine the features of private and public clouds, depending on their objectives. Such solutions are often used in organizations where workload depends on the season. When the load increases sharply, part of the operations is transferred to the public cloud.

Cloud service capabilities

There is a concept known as XaaS (Anything as a Service), which is a broad term that encompasses various products or services provided through the cloud on a subscription basis (they are conventionally denoted by the letter «X» in the abbreviation).

• Instead of purchasing hardware or licenses, you receive a service on demand.
• You pay for the use of the service, not for ownership.
• The provider takes care of the management, updates, and scaling of the cloud service.

Let's look at some examples of XaaS.

• IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service)  — providing users with basic infrastructure from networked virtual platforms (virtual servers, cloud storage, network components — e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP), allowing full control over the OS, software, and data. This cloud service option is the most flexible and is best suited for companies with experienced DevOps teams or for businesses migrating from physical infrastructure.
• PaaS (Platform as a Service) is the next level, which, in addition to infrastructure, includes an environment for developing, deploying, and scaling applications (Heroku, AWS Elastic Beanstalk, Google App Engine). This method is convenient for startups or R&D teams, as it allows developers to focus directly on the code.
• SaaS (Software as a Service) is the final level at which users are provided with any solution as a digital product accessible via a browser or API, with functionality that they work with. The most well-known examples of cloud-based programs are Google Workspace, Zoom, and Microsoft 365. This is the most common service, which allows businesses to quickly access the tools they need without investing in deployment.

• DaaS (Database as a Service) — a subscription-based cloud service model where each user is assigned their own virtual desktop with access to and control over databases.
• AaaS (Analytics/AI as a Service) — an AI-based solution for batch data analysis. AI as a Service) — an artificial intelligence-based solution for batch data analysis.
• CaaS (Communication as a Service) — a scheme that allows you to integrate cloud communications (VoIP, video conferencing) into your applications and websites using APIs.
• STaaS (Storage as a Service) — a cloud computing model that allows you to store data on an external medium in a hosting provider's cloud (Dropbox, Google Drive).
• SECaaS (Security as a Service) — is a service that integrates into the client's infrastructure to ensure information security at the information technology facility.
• FaaS (Function as a Service) — is a serverless cloud computing model. In this case, you only pay for the performance of specific functions or tasks, without worrying about how the server works.

The choice of a suitable cloud service model depends on your goals, budget, the technical expertise of your team, and your flexibility and security requirements.

Why it's convenient

Using cloud services offers a number of advantages:

1. Access from anywhere.

   You can access the information or programs you need from anywhere in the world on multiple devices at once. It doesn't matter what operating system you use.

2. Versatility.

   Cloud services work on any device, from smartphones to thin clients.

3. Cost savings.

   You don't need a powerful computer and expensive software to perform complex operations; all you need is a fast Internet connection.

4. Automatic updates.

   Expensive licensed programs can be accessed as web services, so you don't need to keep track of updates; you always have the latest version.

5. Security.

   You don't have to worry about data security, as you would with hard drive storage. Most cloud providers use multi-factor authentication, encryption, and regular backups.

Cloud technologies are convenient and versatile, but their effectiveness directly depends on where your data and services are located. Our company offers subscribers a whole range of cloud data storage services for business automation, which are now available both in Ukraine and Europe.

A virtual server from Maxnet is a full-fledged server in the cloud with guaranteed resources and an isolated environment that can be flexibly configured to suit your tasks. You get a reliable infrastructure for hosting websites, applications, or corporate services without the cost of your own equipment.

Cloud-based video surveillance solutions are also available. This service includes event monitoring, face recognition, and license plate recognition capabilities. Our subscribers can view surveillance camera recordings and connect to them in real time from anywhere in the world.

In addition, we offer virtual PBX services that combine simplicity, convenience, and high-quality communication. You get a full-featured telephone system without the cost of expensive equipment and maintenance. Calls are easily configured and managed through the cloud, and the call log archive is always available online at any time.

Using cloud technologies from Maxnet will reduce your expenses on equipment, maintenance, and software licenses. We have powerful, modern network equipment that can be customized to the needs of each subscriber. Our specialists are always available to answer all your questions and help you use our services.