Remote working environments heavily rely upon a cloud infrastructure to store important information, send critical messaging, and communicate with others. The recent shift toward a remote workforce prompted companies everywhere to place trust in unseen technologies, for without them, work would cease. However, cloud-based infrastructure was not always easily accessible.
A few years ago, only large businesses could afford the costly third-party fees or create their own cloud. Small to medium-sized companies were left paying for a local server and all its headaches. But, the last several years proved that IT changes quickly and often. Now, even the smallest companies can benefit from a seemingly endless supply of cloud services.
Cloud Computing Meaning
Cloud computing delivers servers, storage, software, databases, networking, and intelligence over the Internet, or “cloud.” Most everyone uses cloud computing for work or entertainment, sending emails, editing online documents, playing games, or streaming music. No longer are companies or families tied to a physical location for computing – the cloud gives you the freedom to surf, browse, and store anywhere.
Microsoft Cloud Services
Multiple technologies work together to deliver an entirely cloud-based service. Understanding what each program can accomplish individually and how they interact is essential to creating an ideal IT infrastructure. Microsoft’s line of cloud service technologies makes your IT as scalable, available, and secure as possible. They include:
- Azure AD: Azure AD is a serverless Domain Service that can join directly with Windows 10 Pro/Enterprise. It provides the backbone of handling authentication and identity management – not just for your local PC but across the entire offering of Microsoft cloud services.
- SharePoint: Companies and organizations use SharePoint to store, organize, share, and access critical information from any device. Other remarkable features include website creation, workflows, automation, and more.
- OneDrive: OneDrive connects you to all files from anywhere and on any device. Store documents, photos, and other items online securely.
- Office 365: While email services remain Office 365’s most prominent offering, it provides much more. Other notable features include data loss protection, classification, retention, and malware scanning.
- Intune: Intune is Microsoft’s mobile device management service technology. It allows you to push configuration policies to endpoint PCs. Intune combines Windows group policies, deployment, and defender into one technology.
The image below displays a visual representation of how Microsoft’s cloud computing technologies work together to provide a seamless and scalable IT infrastructure:
What Are the Benefits of Cloud Computing?
Cloud services offer a slew of benefits for companies big and small. When businesses choose cloud computing to power their operations, they experience the following advantages:
- Increased productivity: On-site servers require physical setup, software patching, and other time-consuming IT tasks. Cloud services handle everything, allowing your team to focus on critical business objectives.
- Managed costs: Cloud computing eliminates the costs associated with on-site data centers, such as hardware, software, servers, electricity, and IT infrastructure.
- Higher speed: Fast, reliable computing provides companies of all sizes flexibility and scale that an on-site center cannot. Users can perform vast amounts of computing functions with only a few clicks.
- Consistent performance: Cloud services run on a worldwide network of data centers, offering the utmost security and updated hardware. Enjoy faster, more efficient computing and greater economies of scale than a single corporate server.
- Secure processes: Technologies, policies, and controls dictate a cloud’s security, granting you peace of mind and defense against potential threats. You can rest assured that your private data, applications, and infrastructure remain protected.
Get Started With Cloud Computing Today
Several aspects work together to create a high-performing, reliable, and secure serverless IT infrastructure. Not only is it essential to understand how a decentralized infrastructure works, but also the benefits you can reap through partnering with an expert IT provider. Truewater is the premier Houston managed IT services provider, boasting over 20 years of industry experience.
Learn more about what sets us apart from the rest, and contact us today for trustworthy and professional cloud computing services in Houston!
By: Joshua Lackey, Truewater Project Manager