Cloud services are designed to meet the diverse needs of businesses and individuals. Each type of cloud offers specific benefits and levels of control over the infrastructure.
Types of cloud solutions
1. Public cloud – flexibility and availability
This model is designed for the general public and is provided by global leaders such as Microsoft, Amazon or Google. Access to services is provided over the internet, with customers paying only for the actual resources used, under a pay as you go model. The advantage is a minimal upfront investment, but at the same time the customer has no control over the physical location of the infrastructure. The public cloud is ideal for businesses that need scalable solutions without heavy maintenance.
2. Private cloud – maximum security
Unlike a public cloud, a private cloud is dedicated to a single organisation and runs on its own IT infrastructure. This model offers the same benefits as a public cloud, but with a higher level of control and security. Private cloud solutions are suitable for companies that work with sensitive data and require individual configuration of their servers.
3. Hybrid cloud – combining the benefits of public and private cloud
The hybrid model combines public and private clouds, allowing companies to store sensitive data on the private cloud while less critical applications and services benefit from the computing power of the public cloud. This approach offers a balance between flexibility and security, making it ideal for organisations that need to combine high availability with control over data.
Key cloud services: SaaS, PaaS and IaaS
In addition to the different types of cloud models, cloud services are also divided according to the way they are provided.
Software as a Service (SaaS)
The SaaS (Software as a Service) model allows users to access software without installing it on their own device. All applications run in the cloud and can be accessed over the internet from anywhere in the world. Typical examples are Microsoft Office 365 or Exchange Online. Payment for these services is usually in the form of monthly or annual fees per user.
Platform as a Service (PaaS)
PaaS (Platform as a Service) provides a complete development environment that enables application development without the need for infrastructure management. The user is in control of the applications, while the servers, operating systems and databases are managed by the provider. Examples of this service are Salesforce and Google App Engine.
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) provides virtual servers, storage and network resources, with the customer in control of the operating system and applications. This model offers a high degree of flexibility as it allows organisations to configure servers to suit their own needs. An example is Microsoft Azure, where the customer can allocate computing power, manage virtual servers and customize storage capacity.
Cloud solutions offer modern businesses a wide range of options – from common office applications to complex IT infrastructure management. The right choice of model and service depends on the organisation’s needs, security requirements and the flexibility the business expects.
