According to Statista, the U.S. cloud computing industry generated about $206 billion in revenue in 2022. Expand that globally, and the industry has a value of $483.98 billion. Growth is on the horizon, too, with Grand View Research stating that the various types of cloud computing will achieve a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.1% between 2023 and 2030.
The simple message is that cloud computing applications are big business.
But that won’t mean much to you if you don’t understand the basics of cloud computing infrastructure and how it all works. This article digs into the cloud computing basics so you can better understand what it means to deliver services via the cloud.
The Cloud Computing Definition
Let’s answer the key question immediately – what is cloud computing?
Microsoft defines cloud computing as the delivery of any form of computing services, such as storage or software, over the internet. Taking software as an example, cloud computing allows you to use a company’s software online rather than having to buy it as a standalone package that you install locally on your computer.
For the super dry definition, cloud computing is a model of computing that provides shared computer processing resources and data to computers and other devices on demand over the internet.
Cloud Computing Meaning
Though the cloud computing basics are pretty easy to grasp – you get services over the internet – what it means in a practical context is less clear.
In the past, businesses and individuals needed to buy and install software locally on their computers or servers. This is the typical ownership model. You hand over your money for a physical product, which you can use as you see fit.
You don’t purchase a physical product when using software via the cloud. You also don’t install that product, whatever it may be, physically on your computer. Instead, you receive the services managed directly by the provider, be they storage, software, analytics, or networking, over the internet. You (and your team) usually install a client that connects to the vendor’s servers, which contain all the necessary computational, processing, and storage power.
What Is Cloud Computing With Examples?
Perhaps a better way to understand the concept is with some cloud computing examples. These should give you an idea of what cloud computing looks like in practice:
- Google Drive – By integrating the Google Docs suite and its collaborative tools, Google Drive lets you create, save, edit, and share files remotely via the internet.
- Dropbox – The biggest name in cloud storage offers a pay-as-you-use service that enables you to increase your available storage space (or decrease it) depending on your needs.
- Amazon Web Services (AWS) – Built specifically for coders and programmers, AWS offers access to off-site remote servers.
- Microsoft Azure – Microsoft markets Azure as the only “consistent hybrid cloud.” This means Azure allows a company to digitize and modernize their existing infrastructure and make it available over the cloud.
- IBM Cloud – This service incorporates over 170 services, ranging from simple databases to the cloud servers needed to run AI programs.
- Salesforce – As the biggest name in the customer relationship management space, Salesforce is one of the biggest cloud computing companies. At the most basic level, it lets you maintain databases filled with details about your customers.
Common Cloud Computing Applications
Knowing what cloud computing is won’t help you much if you don’t understand its use cases. Here are a few ways you could use the cloud to enhance your work or personal life:
- Host websites without needing to keep on-site servers.
- Store files and data remotely, as you would with Dropbox or Salesforce. Most of these providers also provide backup services for disaster recovery.
- Recover lost data with off-site storage facilities that update themselves in real-time.
- Manage a product’s entire development cycle across one workflow, leading to easier bug tracking and fixing alongside quality assurance testing.
- Collaborate easily using platforms like Google Drive and Dropbox, which allow workers to combine forces on projects as long as they maintain an internet connection.
- Stream media, especially high-definition video, with cloud setups that provide the resources that an individual may not have built into a single device.
The Basics of Cloud Computing
With the general introduction to cloud computing and its applications out of the way, let’s get down to the technical side. The basics of cloud computing are split into five categories:
- Infrastructure
- Services
- Benefits
- Types
- Challenges
Cloud Infrastructure
The interesting thing about cloud infrastructure is that it simulates a physical build. You’re still using the same hardware and applications. Servers are in play, as is networking. But you don’t have the physical hardware at your location because it’s all off-site and stored, maintained, and updated by the cloud provider. You get access to the hardware, and the services it provides, via your internet connection.
So, you have no physical hardware to worry about besides the device you’ll use to access the cloud service.
Off-site servers handle storage, database management, and more. You’ll also have middleware in play, facilitating communication between your device and the cloud provider’s servers. That middleware checks your internet connection and access rights. Think of it like a bridge that connects seemingly disparate pieces of software so they can function seamlessly on a system.
Services
Cloud services are split into three categories:
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
In a traditional IT setup, you have computers, servers, data centers, and networking hardware all combined to keep the front-end systems (i.e., your computers) running. Buying and maintaining that hardware is a huge cost burden for a business.
IaaS offers access to IT infrastructure, with scalability being a critical component, without forcing an IT department to invest in costly hardware. Instead, you can access it all via an internet connection, allowing you to virtualize traditionally physical setups.
Platform as a Service (PaaS)
Imagine having access to an entire IT infrastructure without worrying about all the little tasks that come with it, such as maintenance and software patching. After all, those small tasks build up, which is why the average small business spends an average of 6.9% of its revenue on dealing with IT systems each year.
PaaS reduces those costs significantly by giving you access to cloud services that manage maintenance and patching via the internet. On the simplest level, this may involve automating software updates so you don’t have to manually check when software is out of date.
Software as a Service (SaaS)
If you have a rudimentary understanding of cloud computing, the SaaS model is the one you are likely to understand the most. A cloud provider builds software and makes it available over the internet, with the user paying for access to that software in the form of a subscription. As long as you keep paying your monthly dues, you get access to the software and any updates or patches the service provider implements.
It’s with SaaS that we see the most obvious evolution of the traditional IT model. In the past, you’d pay a one-time fee to buy a piece of software off the shelf, which you then install and maintain yourself. SaaS gives you constant access to the software, its updates, and any new versions as long as you keep paying your subscription. Compare the standalone versions of Microsoft Office with Microsoft Office 365, especially in their range of options, tools, and overall costs.
Benefits of Cloud Computing
The traditional model of buying a thing and owning it worked for years. So, you may wonder why cloud computing services have overtaken traditional models, particularly on the software side of things. The reason is that cloud computing offers several advantages over the old ways of doing things:
- Cost savings – Cloud models allow companies to spread their spending over the course of a year. It’s the difference between spending $100 on a piece of software versus spending $10 per month to access it. Sure, the one-off fee ends up being less, but paying $10 per month doesn’t sting your bank balance as much.
- Scalability – Linking directly to cost savings, you don’t need to buy every element of a software to access the features you need when using cloud services. You pay for what you use and increase the money you spend as your business scales and you need deeper access.
- Mobility – Cloud computing allows you to access documents and services anywhere. Where before, you were tied to your computer desk if you wanted to check or edit a document, you can now access that document on almost any device.
- Flexibility – Tied closely to mobility, the flexibility that comes from cloud computing is great for users. Employees can head out into the field, access the services they need to serve customers, and send information back to in-house workers or a customer relationship management (CRM) system.
- Reliability – Owning physical hardware means having to deal with the many problems that can affect that hardware. Malfunctions, viruses, and human error can all compromise a network. Cloud service providers offer reliability based on in-depth expertise and more resources dedicated to their hardware setups.
- Security – The done-for-you aspect of cloud computing, particularly concerning maintenance and updates, means one less thing for a business to worry about. It also absorbs some of the costs of hardware and IT maintenance personnel.
Types of Cloud Computing
The types of cloud computing are as follows:
- Public Cloud – The cloud provider manages all hardware and software related to the service it provides to users.
- Private Cloud – An organization develops its suite of services, all managed via the cloud but only accessible to group members.
- Hybrid Cloud – Combines a public cloud with on-premises infrastructure, allowing applications to move between each.
- Community Cloud – While the community cloud has many similarities to a public cloud, it’s restricted to only servicing a limited number of users. For example, a banking service may only get offered to the banking community.
Challenges of Cloud Computing
Many a detractor of cloud computing notes that it isn’t as issue-proof as it may seem. The challenges of cloud computing may outweigh its benefits for some:
- Security issues related to cloud computing include data privacy, with cloud providers obtaining access to any sensitive information you store on their servers.
- As more services switch over to the cloud, managing the costs related to every subscription you have can feel like trying to navigate a spider’s web of software.
- Just because you’re using a cloud-based service, that doesn’t mean said service handles compliance for you.
- If you don’t perfectly follow a vendor’s terms of service, they can restrict your access to their cloud services remotely. You don’t own anything.
- You can’t do anything if a service provider’s servers go down. You have to wait for them to fix the issue, leaving you stuck without access to the software for which you’re paying.
- You can’t call a third party to resolve an issue your systems encounter with the cloud service because the provider is the only one responsible for their product.
- Changing cloud providers and migrating data can be challenging, so even if one provider doesn’t work well, companies may hesitate to look for other options due to sunk costs.
Cloud Computing Is the Present and Future
For all of the challenges inherent in the cloud computing model, it’s clear that it isn’t going anywhere. Techjury tells us that about 57% of companies moved, or were in the process of moving, their workloads to cloud services in 2022.
That number will only increase as cloud computing grows and develops.
So, let’s leave you with a short note on cloud computing. It’s the latest step in the constant evolution of how tech companies offer their services to users. Questions of ownership aside, it’s a model that students, entrepreneurs, and everyday people must understand.
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From the same author
Read the articleAccording to Statista, the U.S. cloud computing industry generated about $206 billion in revenue in 2022. Expand that globally, and the industry has a value of $483.98 billion. Growth is on the horizon, too, with Grand View Research stating that the various types of cloud computing will achieve a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.1% between 2023 and 2030.
The simple message is that cloud computing applications are big business.
But that won’t mean much to you if you don’t understand the basics of cloud computing infrastructure and how it all works. This article digs into the cloud computing basics so you can better understand what it means to deliver services via the cloud.
The Cloud Computing Definition
Let’s answer the key question immediately – what is cloud computing?
Microsoft defines cloud computing as the delivery of any form of computing services, such as storage or software, over the internet. Taking software as an example, cloud computing allows you to use a company’s software online rather than having to buy it as a standalone package that you install locally on your computer.
For the super dry definition, cloud computing is a model of computing that provides shared computer processing resources and data to computers and other devices on demand over the internet.
Cloud Computing Meaning
Though the cloud computing basics are pretty easy to grasp – you get services over the internet – what it means in a practical context is less clear.
In the past, businesses and individuals needed to buy and install software locally on their computers or servers. This is the typical ownership model. You hand over your money for a physical product, which you can use as you see fit.
You don’t purchase a physical product when using software via the cloud. You also don’t install that product, whatever it may be, physically on your computer. Instead, you receive the services managed directly by the provider, be they storage, software, analytics, or networking, over the internet. You (and your team) usually install a client that connects to the vendor’s servers, which contain all the necessary computational, processing, and storage power.
What Is Cloud Computing With Examples?
Perhaps a better way to understand the concept is with some cloud computing examples. These should give you an idea of what cloud computing looks like in practice:
- Google Drive – By integrating the Google Docs suite and its collaborative tools, Google Drive lets you create, save, edit, and share files remotely via the internet.
- Dropbox – The biggest name in cloud storage offers a pay-as-you-use service that enables you to increase your available storage space (or decrease it) depending on your needs.
- Amazon Web Services (AWS) – Built specifically for coders and programmers, AWS offers access to off-site remote servers.
- Microsoft Azure – Microsoft markets Azure as the only “consistent hybrid cloud.” This means Azure allows a company to digitize and modernize their existing infrastructure and make it available over the cloud.
- IBM Cloud – This service incorporates over 170 services, ranging from simple databases to the cloud servers needed to run AI programs.
- Salesforce – As the biggest name in the customer relationship management space, Salesforce is one of the biggest cloud computing companies. At the most basic level, it lets you maintain databases filled with details about your customers.
Common Cloud Computing Applications
Knowing what cloud computing is won’t help you much if you don’t understand its use cases. Here are a few ways you could use the cloud to enhance your work or personal life:
- Host websites without needing to keep on-site servers.
- Store files and data remotely, as you would with Dropbox or Salesforce. Most of these providers also provide backup services for disaster recovery.
- Recover lost data with off-site storage facilities that update themselves in real-time.
- Manage a product’s entire development cycle across one workflow, leading to easier bug tracking and fixing alongside quality assurance testing.
- Collaborate easily using platforms like Google Drive and Dropbox, which allow workers to combine forces on projects as long as they maintain an internet connection.
- Stream media, especially high-definition video, with cloud setups that provide the resources that an individual may not have built into a single device.
The Basics of Cloud Computing
With the general introduction to cloud computing and its applications out of the way, let’s get down to the technical side. The basics of cloud computing are split into five categories:
- Infrastructure
- Services
- Benefits
- Types
- Challenges
Cloud Infrastructure
The interesting thing about cloud infrastructure is that it simulates a physical build. You’re still using the same hardware and applications. Servers are in play, as is networking. But you don’t have the physical hardware at your location because it’s all off-site and stored, maintained, and updated by the cloud provider. You get access to the hardware, and the services it provides, via your internet connection.
So, you have no physical hardware to worry about besides the device you’ll use to access the cloud service.
Off-site servers handle storage, database management, and more. You’ll also have middleware in play, facilitating communication between your device and the cloud provider’s servers. That middleware checks your internet connection and access rights. Think of it like a bridge that connects seemingly disparate pieces of software so they can function seamlessly on a system.
Services
Cloud services are split into three categories:
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
In a traditional IT setup, you have computers, servers, data centers, and networking hardware all combined to keep the front-end systems (i.e., your computers) running. Buying and maintaining that hardware is a huge cost burden for a business.
IaaS offers access to IT infrastructure, with scalability being a critical component, without forcing an IT department to invest in costly hardware. Instead, you can access it all via an internet connection, allowing you to virtualize traditionally physical setups.
Platform as a Service (PaaS)
Imagine having access to an entire IT infrastructure without worrying about all the little tasks that come with it, such as maintenance and software patching. After all, those small tasks build up, which is why the average small business spends an average of 6.9% of its revenue on dealing with IT systems each year.
PaaS reduces those costs significantly by giving you access to cloud services that manage maintenance and patching via the internet. On the simplest level, this may involve automating software updates so you don’t have to manually check when software is out of date.
Software as a Service (SaaS)
If you have a rudimentary understanding of cloud computing, the SaaS model is the one you are likely to understand the most. A cloud provider builds software and makes it available over the internet, with the user paying for access to that software in the form of a subscription. As long as you keep paying your monthly dues, you get access to the software and any updates or patches the service provider implements.
It’s with SaaS that we see the most obvious evolution of the traditional IT model. In the past, you’d pay a one-time fee to buy a piece of software off the shelf, which you then install and maintain yourself. SaaS gives you constant access to the software, its updates, and any new versions as long as you keep paying your subscription. Compare the standalone versions of Microsoft Office with Microsoft Office 365, especially in their range of options, tools, and overall costs.
Benefits of Cloud Computing
The traditional model of buying a thing and owning it worked for years. So, you may wonder why cloud computing services have overtaken traditional models, particularly on the software side of things. The reason is that cloud computing offers several advantages over the old ways of doing things:
- Cost savings – Cloud models allow companies to spread their spending over the course of a year. It’s the difference between spending $100 on a piece of software versus spending $10 per month to access it. Sure, the one-off fee ends up being less, but paying $10 per month doesn’t sting your bank balance as much.
- Scalability – Linking directly to cost savings, you don’t need to buy every element of a software to access the features you need when using cloud services. You pay for what you use and increase the money you spend as your business scales and you need deeper access.
- Mobility – Cloud computing allows you to access documents and services anywhere. Where before, you were tied to your computer desk if you wanted to check or edit a document, you can now access that document on almost any device.
- Flexibility – Tied closely to mobility, the flexibility that comes from cloud computing is great for users. Employees can head out into the field, access the services they need to serve customers, and send information back to in-house workers or a customer relationship management (CRM) system.
- Reliability – Owning physical hardware means having to deal with the many problems that can affect that hardware. Malfunctions, viruses, and human error can all compromise a network. Cloud service providers offer reliability based on in-depth expertise and more resources dedicated to their hardware setups.
- Security – The done-for-you aspect of cloud computing, particularly concerning maintenance and updates, means one less thing for a business to worry about. It also absorbs some of the costs of hardware and IT maintenance personnel.
Types of Cloud Computing
The types of cloud computing are as follows:
- Public Cloud – The cloud provider manages all hardware and software related to the service it provides to users.
- Private Cloud – An organization develops its suite of services, all managed via the cloud but only accessible to group members.
- Hybrid Cloud – Combines a public cloud with on-premises infrastructure, allowing applications to move between each.
- Community Cloud – While the community cloud has many similarities to a public cloud, it’s restricted to only servicing a limited number of users. For example, a banking service may only get offered to the banking community.
Challenges of Cloud Computing
Many a detractor of cloud computing notes that it isn’t as issue-proof as it may seem. The challenges of cloud computing may outweigh its benefits for some:
- Security issues related to cloud computing include data privacy, with cloud providers obtaining access to any sensitive information you store on their servers.
- As more services switch over to the cloud, managing the costs related to every subscription you have can feel like trying to navigate a spider’s web of software.
- Just because you’re using a cloud-based service, that doesn’t mean said service handles compliance for you.
- If you don’t perfectly follow a vendor’s terms of service, they can restrict your access to their cloud services remotely. You don’t own anything.
- You can’t do anything if a service provider’s servers go down. You have to wait for them to fix the issue, leaving you stuck without access to the software for which you’re paying.
- You can’t call a third party to resolve an issue your systems encounter with the cloud service because the provider is the only one responsible for their product.
- Changing cloud providers and migrating data can be challenging, so even if one provider doesn’t work well, companies may hesitate to look for other options due to sunk costs.
Cloud Computing Is the Present and Future
For all of the challenges inherent in the cloud computing model, it’s clear that it isn’t going anywhere. Techjury tells us that about 57% of companies moved, or were in the process of moving, their workloads to cloud services in 2022.
That number will only increase as cloud computing grows and develops.
So, let’s leave you with a short note on cloud computing. It’s the latest step in the constant evolution of how tech companies offer their services to users. Questions of ownership aside, it’s a model that students, entrepreneurs, and everyday people must understand.
Read the articleIt’s hard to find a person who uses the internet but doesn’t enjoy at least one cloud computing service. “Cloud computing” sounds complex, but it’s actually all around you. The term encompasses every tool, app, and service that’s delivered via the internet.
The two popular examples are Dropbox and Google Drive. These cloud-based storage spaces allow you to keep your files at arm’s reach and access them in a few clicks. Zoom is also a cloud-based service – it makes communication a breeze.
Cloud computing can be classified into four types: public, private, hybrid, and community. These four types belong to one of the three cloud computing service models: infrastructure as a service, platform as a service, or software as a service.
It’s time to don a detective cap and explore the mystery hidden behind cloud computing.
Cloud Computing Deployment Models
- Public cloud
- Private cloud
- Hybrid cloud
- Community cloud
Public Cloud
The “public” in public cloud means anyone who wants to use that service can get it. Public clouds are easy to access and usually have a “general” purpose many can benefit from.
It’s important to mention that with public clouds, the infrastructure is owned by the service provider, not by consumers. This means you can’t “purchase” a public cloud service forever.
Advantages of Public Cloud
- Cost-effectiveness – Some public clouds are free. Those that aren’t free typically have a reasonable fee.
- Scalability – Public clouds are accommodating to changing demands. Depending on the cloud’s nature, you can easily add or remove users, upgrade plans, or manipulate storage space.
- Flexibility – Public clouds are suitable for many things, from storing a few files temporarily to backing up an entire company’s records.
Disadvantages of Public Cloud
- Security concerns – Since anyone can access public clouds, you can’t be sure your data is 100% safe.
- Limited customization – While public clouds offer many options, they don’t really allow you to tailor the environment to match your preferences. They’re made to suit broad masses, not particular individuals.
Examples of Public Cloud Providers
- Amazon Web Services (AWS)
- Microsoft Azure
- Google Cloud Platform
Private Cloud
If you’re looking for the complete opposite of public clouds, you’ve found it. Private clouds aren’t designed to fit general criteria. Instead, they’re made to please a single user. Some of the perks private clouds offer are exclusive access, exceptional security, and unmatched customization.
A private cloud is like a single-tenant building. The tenant owns the building and has complete control to do whatever they want. They can tear down walls, drill holes to hang pictures, paint the rooms, install tiles, and get new furniture. When needs change, the tenant can redecorate, no questions asked.
Advantages of Private Cloud
- Enhanced security – The company’s IT department oversees private clouds. They’re usually protected by powerful firewalls and protocols that minimize the risk of information breaches.
- Greater control and customization – Since private clouds are one-on-one environments, you can match them to your needs.
- Improved performance – Private clouds can have functions that suit your organization to the letter, resulting in high performance.
Disadvantages of Private Cloud
- Higher costs – The exclusive access and customization come at a cost (literally).
- Limited scalability – You can scale private clouds, but only up to a certain point.
Examples of Private Cloud Providers
- VMware
- IBM Cloud
- Dell EMC
Hybrid Cloud
Public and private clouds have a few important drawbacks that may be deal-breakers for some people. You may want to use public clouds but aren’t ready to compromise on security. On the other hand, you may want the perks that come with private clouds but aren’t happy with limited scalability.
That’s when hybrid clouds come into play because they let you get the best of both worlds. They’re the perfect mix of public and private clouds and offer their best features. You can get the affordability of public clouds and the security of private clouds.
Advantages of Hybrid Cloud
- Flexibility and scalability – Hybrid clouds are personalized environments, meaning you can adjust them to meet your specific needs. If your needs change, hybrid clouds can keep up.
- Security and compliance – You don’t have to worry about data breaches or intruders with hybrid clouds. They use state-of-the-art measures to guarantee safety, privacy, and security.
- Cost optimization – Hybrid clouds are much more affordable than private ones. You’ll need to pay extra only if you want special features.
Disadvantages of Hybrid Cloud
- Complexity in management – Since they combine public and private clouds, hybrid clouds are complex systems that aren’t really easy to manage.
- Potential security risks – Hybrid clouds aren’t as secure as private clouds.
Examples of Hybrid Cloud Providers
- Microsoft Azure Stack
- AWS Outputs
- Google Anthos
Community Cloud
Community clouds are shared by more than one organization. The organizations themselves manage them or a third party. In terms of security, community clouds fall somewhere between private and public clouds. The same goes for their price.
Advantages of Community Cloud
- Shared resources and costs – A community cloud is like a common virtual space for several organizations. By sharing the space, the organizations also share costs and resources.
- Enhanced security and compliance – Community clouds are more secure than public clouds.
- Collaboration opportunities – Cloud sharing often encourages organizations to collaborate on different projects.
Disadvantages of Community Cloud
- Limited scalability – Community clouds are scalable, but only to a certain point.
- Dependency on other organizations – As much as sharing a cloud with another organization(s) sounds exciting (and cost-effective), it means you’ll depend on them.
Examples of Community Cloud Providers
- Salesforce Community Cloud
- Rackspace
- IBM Cloud for Government
Cloud Computing Service Models
There are three types of cloud computing service models:
- Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
- Platform as a Service (PaaS)
- Software as a Service (SaaS)
IaaS
IaaS is a type of pay-as-you-go, third-party service. In this case, the provider gives you an opportunity to enjoy infrastructure services for your networking equipment, databases, devices, etc. You can get services like virtualization and storage and build a strong IT platform with exceptional security.
IaaS models give you the flexibility to create an environment that suits your organization. Plus, they allow remote access and cost-effectiveness.
What about their drawbacks? The biggest issue could be security, especially in multi-tenant ecosystems. You can mitigate security risks by opting for a reputable provider like AWS or Microsoft (Azure).
PaaS
Here, the provider doesn’t deliver the entire infrastructure to a user. Instead, it hosts software and hardware on its own infrastructure, delivering only the “finished product.” The user enjoys this through a platform, which can exist in the form of a solution stack, integrated solution, or an internet-dependent service.
Programmers and developers are among the biggest fans of PaaS. This service model enables them to work on apps and programs without dealing with maintaining complex infrastructures. An important advantage of PaaS is accessibility – users can enjoy it through their web browser.
As far as disadvantages go, the lack of customizability may be a big one. Since you don’t have control over the infrastructure, you can’t really make adjustments to suit your needs. Another potential drawback is that PaaS depends on the provider, so if they’re experiencing problems, you could too.
Some examples of PaaS are Heroku and AWS Elastic Beanstalk.
SaaS
Last but not least is SaaS. Thanks to this computing service model, users can access different software apps using the internet. SaaS is the holy grail for small businesses that don’t have the budget, bandwidth, workforce, or will to install and maintain software. Instead, they leave this work to the providers and enjoy only the “fun” parts.
The biggest advantage of SaaS is that it allows easy access to apps from anywhere. You’ll have no trouble using SaaS as long as you have internet. Plus, it saves a lot of money and time.
Nothing’s perfect, and SaaS is no exception. If you want to use SaaS without interruptions, you need to have a stable internet connection. Plus, with SaaS, you don’t have as much control over the software’s performance and security. Therefore, you need to decide on your priorities. SaaS may not be the best option if you want a highly-customizable environment with exceptional security.
The most popular examples of SaaS are Dropbox, Google Apps, and Salesforce.
Sit on the Right Cloud
Are high security and appealing customization features your priority? Or are you on the hunt for a cost-effective solution? Your answers can indicate which cloud deployment model you should choose.
It’s important to understand that models are not divided into “good” and “bad.” Each has unique characteristics that can be beneficial and detrimental at the same time. If you don’t know how to employ a particular model, you won’t be able to reap its benefits.
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Life is unpredictable. While many of us have specific hopes and expectations of how our futures will turn out, things don’t always go as expected. There are many variables and unexpected incidents that can interfere and force you to alter your plans, and this is particularly true when it comes to education.
For instance, you might have had plans to study a specific subject, but had to deviate from those plans due to unforeseen circumstances. Or you may have had to enter the workforce in an occupation different from the one you sought in an effort to earn an income, a move that may not provide you with the time or opportunity to achieve your desired educational aims.
In short, every individual’s career pathway is different, and very few go exactly as we expect from the outset. Fortunately, even if you experience a few false starts or sudden twists in your pathway, there are always options available to help you get back on track.
The Unpredictable Nature of Education
In theory, the educational process seems simple. You select a course of study that interests you from the vast array of subjects and prospective professions, select the appropriate classes, acquire the knowledge and skills you need to succeed, and then embark on your profession.
In reality, however, as many people know from firsthand experience, the road to education is often far from straightforward. Here are just some of the many challenges that can take your educational path in a completely different direction:
- Life’s Curveballs: As touched on in the introduction, life is impossible to predict. Financial hardships, health issues, and family emergencies are just some of the unfortunate occurrences that might derail even the most perfectly planned educational regime.
- Changing Interests: People’s desires and preferences don’t necessarily stay the same throughout their entire lives. As you grow, learn, and have new experiences, your interests may change, and so, too, may your educational objectives.
- Pressure and Burnout: Some academic paths are particularly challenging, demanding intense levels of study and hard work. This can sometimes prove too much to bear, even for the most resilient students.
- Failures and Setbacks: Conventional education largely builds around tests and examinations, requiring students to demonstrate their competencies repeatedly. It’s a system that doesn’t suit everyone, and test failures can lead to setbacks and delays.
- Inequality: People can be born with very different privileges and levels of access to education. Those in certain parts of the world may find it much more challenging to complete their education path for financial, cultural, or even political reasons.
- Late Bloomers: People develop at different paces. Some may struggle educationally early on in their lives, forcing them to make certain concessions or sacrifices related to their studies, only to find their feet later in life once they’ve entered the world of work.
Whether you’re a late bloomer, have had your educational aspirations delayed by personal problems, desire to learn new skills and try something different, or want to begin a fresh chapter in your professional life, the Open Institute of Technology (OPIT) may be able to help.
Introducing OPIT
OPIT is an online teaching platform, making high-level technological educational programs accessible to all, no matter their age or background. Offering education in fields like computer science, artificial intelligence, and digital business, OPIT provides a curated collection of degrees. In addition, they offer classes taught by world-leading tutors imparting the wisdom and skills students need to achieve their goals and become the tech leaders of tomorrow.
Meanwhile, for those who have had somewhat tumultuous or unpredictable educational paths, OPIT offers the perfect course corrector: the OPIT Foundation Year.
The OPIT Foundation Year
OPIT’s Foundation Year is a Pre-Tertiary Certificate in Information Technology, fully aligned with MQF/EQF Level 4 standards and valued at 60 ECTS credits. Lasting just one year, this program essentially serves as a comprehensive yet accessible springboard towards higher-level education, creating a path towards degrees and careers in dynamic, flexible fields, like computer science and digital business.
Like other OPIT programs, the Foundation Year is delivered entirely online via the OPIT Virtual Learning Environment. Combining live lectures, asynchronous content, and interactive assessments, students enjoy diverse and dynamic study experiences, acquiring core skills like academic writing, mathematics, and computer literacy, and building a bedrock of knowledge and confidence before taking their next steps.
Who Is the Foundation Program For?
The Foundation Program is designed to provide a solid base upon which to build the technological education many students need. It’s the perfect choice for those who are eager and ambitious to enter professions in AI, data science, and computing, but don’t feel that they have the necessary core skills and knowledge needed to dive straight into a degree.
Entry requirements are relatively relaxed in order to allow as many students as possible to enjoy the benefits of this program. With that said, applicants should ideally hold an MQF/EQF Level 3 or equivalent qualification, with the intention of pursuing a bachelor’s degree. A minimum of B2 level of English proficiency is also required, as this is the working and studying language of the institution.
What the Foundation Year Provides
Perhaps you’ve recently graduated, are considering a career change, or finally have the opportunity to return to education after initial delays or unexpected disruptions to your original plans. Either way, the Foundation Year can help you enjoy:
- Greater Self-Confidence: Foundation Year graduates gain the fundamental skills they need to enter degree programs with much more self-belief and assuredness.
- Superior Tech Knowledge: Lasting two terms, this course explores mathematics, academic reading and writing, and provides an introduction to computer hardware and software.
- Foundational Mathematics: Mathematics literacy forms a large part of the study focus for the Foundation Year, helping students feel more comfortable with numbers and formulas.
- Flexible Learning: Unlike more rigid, conventional education environments, OPIT gives you the freedom and flexibility to study at a pace that suits you best, all from the comfort of home.
- Global Community: OPIT is an international institution, with staff and students from all around the world eager to share knowledge, exchange ideas, and help one another.
Take Your Next Steps to Success With the OPIT Foundation Year
If you’re curious about a career in technology or have always wanted to work with AI, data, and computers, but struggled to find the time and opportunities you need to acquire relevant skills and knowledge, the Foundation Program was made for people like you.
It’s the ideal entry point into the exciting world of online education, and the perfect first step towards a prestigious degree from an innovative and increasingly successful institution. Download the brochure to learn more about it, or start your online application, today.
Students today have a broader range of fields of study to choose from than ever before, but with the world becoming increasingly technological and computers increasing in influence and importance, pursuing a career in computer science often proves a smart, strategic choice.
There are numerous benefits and career paths associated with studying and working in computer science, and we’ll be listing just a few of them in this guide.
High Average Salaries
With the rising cost of living in many parts of the world, it’s unsurprising that many students are thinking several decades ahead to determine what level of starting salaries they could obtain in different career fields.
Many are also seeking professions that offer the opportunity for growth and the ability to advance up the ranks over time, thus increasing their salary and their quality of life in the process.
If a strong, stable salary with the opportunity for improved income is one of your top career priorities, computer science should be at or near the top of your list of prospective careers.
According to recent data, computer scientists earn an average of over €65,000 per year, with certain jobs, like IT project leader and data scientist, paying ever higher. Starting salaries are strong, too, with graduates earning anywhere from €46,000 to €60,000, depending on their chosen profession and level of qualifications.
There are similarly high average salaries reported around the world in computer science and related fields such as data science and AI/ML engineering. These numbers are projected to increase in the years to come, pointing to computer science as a way for graduates to get off to the best financial start of any career.
Unrivaled Flexibility
A common problem with some subjects and courses is that they only provide graduates with a narrow set of skills and a similarly narrow range of potential professions to which they can apply those skills.
That’s not the case with computer science. Graduates in this field can enjoy instant access to a remarkably diverse array of career opportunities, with even newer opportunities being created all the time as technology evolves and innovations emerge.
A few of the many industries and roles you might choose to enter in the field of computer science include:
- Healthcare: As a software developer, data analyst, or cybersecurity expert
- Finance: As a fintech engineer, blockchain developer, or security analyst
- Media: As a graphics programmer, AI developer, or game developer
- Education: As an analyst, software developer, or machine learning engineer
Guaranteed Opportunities
Some career paths are more limited than others, with relatively low numbers of opportunities, recurring risks of job loss, or difficulty obtaining employment in the first place.
Again, with computer science, this simply isn’t the case. At a time when 75% of companies plan to embrace AI and other technologies by 2027, and businesses of all sizes and industries are now relying on computers more than ever before, computer science graduates can enjoy almost unbeatable job security.
Opportunities will continue to grow for people with good computing knowledge, whether that be in the obvious fields like software and web development, engineering, and AI development, or more niche sectors.
With so many options, you’re effectively guaranteed a long, rewarding career if you put in the necessary time and effort needed to establish a strong foundation of computing skills.
Rapidly Expanding and Evolving Industries
It’s no secret that the world of technology is a dynamic and fast-moving one. In the past 20 years alone, we’ve seen the proliferation of the internet, the rapid advancement of smartphones and wearable devices, the emergence of AI, and so much more.
In the years ahead, engineers and developers will continue to explore the boundaries of modern technology’s powers and potential, driving new innovations and improvements and opening more exciting job opportunities for those already established and experienced in this field.
Getting into computer science now could therefore provide a solid foundation for a career filled with excitement as you uncover and explore new ways of working with computers in fields as diverse as healthcare, finance, education, entertainment, manufacturing, logistics, and beyond.
Start Your Computer Science Career at OPIT
We’ve discussed some of the many benefits associated with careers in computer science, from the high starting salaries to the rapidly growing array of job options available to graduates. By now, you may be eager to follow this particular career path and take advantage of the wealth of opportunities.
If you’re wondering how to start, the Open Institute of Technology (OPIT) may hold the answers you need. As an exclusively online learning platform, specializing in computer science and digital business, and staffed by some of the world’s leading tech experts, OPIT is producing the tech leaders of tomorrow.
Some of the many advantages of learning with OPIT include:
- Accessible and flexible online education that matches your learning style and schedule
- Heavy focus on real-world applications of the skills you acquire
- An international community of like-minded students from around the globe
- A top team of tutors and lecturers from varying fields and industries
- Progressive assessment of skills and understanding – not constant exams
OPIT offers a small, curated selection of courses for those seeking to gain the technological skills and knowledge to succeed in their chosen areas of expertise. That includes a BSc (Hons) in Computer Science – a six-term program, worth 180 ECTS credits.
Numerous IT industry leaders and experts helped develop this fully accredited undergraduate degree, which is online and accessible to all. Like other OPIT courses, it offers a flexible learning program, with progressive assessments, fast-track options, and the opportunity to be part of a growing community of learners and tutors.
If the benefits of doing a career in computer science interest you, download the OPIT BSc in Computer Science brochure or fill out an online application today and take your first step toward a rewarding and fulfilling profession.
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