Realizing the potential of cloud services: A comprehensive guide
February 28, 2024 / Unisys Corporation
Short on time? Read the key takeaways
- Cloud services have emerged as essential tools for fostering innovation, streamlining operations, enhancing security and driving digital transformation.
- Understanding the fundamental aspects of cloud services and their role in achieving success is crucial to unlocking their potential within your organization.
- Cloud service experts can help accelerate growth, optimize performance and reduce costs.
- The three primary types of cloud services are Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Software as a Service (SaaS), each delivering distinct virtualized computing resources via the internet.
Cloud services have emerged as an essential tool for fostering innovation, streamlining operations and driving digital transformation.
Understanding the fundamental aspects of cloud services and its role in achieving success is crucial to unlocking your organization’s potential. You can tap into capabilities for accelerated growth by leveraging a cloud services provider.
What are cloud services?
Cloud services encompass a range of solutions provided by cloud services providers to help organizations adopt, manage and operate their cloud projects efficiently. The three primary types of cloud services are:
- Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): A service that delivers virtualized computing resources via the internet.
- Platform as a Service (PaaS): A third-party provider furnishes users with hardware and software tools accessible through the internet.
- Software as a Service (SaaS): A cloud provider hosts applications accessible to end users over the internet.
Elevating efficiency with cloud managed services
Many companies utilize cloud-managed services, where they entrust the responsibility of maintaining and operating their cloud environment to a specialized organization. These services lead to cost reduction and operational improvements while enabling businesses to focus on their core applications and processes. Embracing cloud-managed services unlocks new possibilities for seamless scalability and optimized performance.
Modernizing legacy applications for digital transformation
Modernizing legacy applications is more than just migrating them to the cloud. It requires a shift towards a digital mindset that embraces innovation, agile development, microservices and automated deployment. This transformation journey empowers businesses to advance innovation and achieve digital transformation goals.
Ensuring robust cloud data security
Securing data in the cloud is paramount, especially when dealing with confidential and sensitive business information. The most effective strategy for cloud security is adopting a continuous security assurance approach, which leverages Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM). A CSPM product helps identify deviations from defined security policies, ensuring compliance and safeguarding the cloud infrastructure and data.
Navigating cloud security
Cloud security differs from traditional on-premises security models. Businesses must adopt cloud-appropriate security measures and adhere to a shared responsibility model. In a shared responsibility model, a cloud provider is subject to protecting the cloud infrastructure while customers are accountable for securing their data and applications within the cloud. The cloud provider should offer further guidance on security measures and compliance protocols.
Combating cloud sprawl and shadow IT
Cloud sprawl and shadow IT pose challenges to organizations, leading to uncontrolled cloud instances and unauthorized app usage. Cloud sprawl is the uncontrolled proliferation of your organization's cloud instances, services, or providers, often without your company's knowledge or oversight. Shadow IT is the use of apps and services by employees, teams, or departments without the knowledge, oversight and, ultimately, control of your organization. Implementing robust security policies and best practices is crucial to containing these risks and minimizing security vulnerabilities.
Partnering with a cloud services provider
Organizations need expert guidance and advice from a vendor-neutral cloud service provider to make the most of the cloud. These providers offer a range of services, including cloud advisory, digital transformation services, cloud application services, cloud migration, cloud management and operations, cloud security and compliance, and data center services. Partnering with a service provider streamlines cloud adoption and ensures a successful cloud journey.
Crafting cloud success
Achieving success in the cloud hinges on prioritizing the cloud as a core commitment and setting clear objectives. Businesses can optimize cloud performance by right-sizing resources, employing automation, and maintaining a robust disaster recovery plan. Evaluating and modernizing existing applications is also essential to boost productivity and save costs.
Hybrid infrastructure solutions deliver unique cloud adoption capabilities. Whether you’re migrating your legacy applications or implementing new cloud design and deployment for hybrid and multi-cloud environments, Unisys accelerates cloud services adoption, modernization and development and can help you achieve the results you need, regardless of your stage of the journey.
Fueling growth and innovation
Embracing cloud services is a transformative step for businesses seeking growth, innovation and agility in today's digital world. Understanding the different types of cloud services and their benefits, as well as incorporating robust security measures and expert guidance, is vital for a successful cloud journey.
By optimizing performance and cost while modernizing applications, organizations can unleash the true potential of cloud services and drive their digital transformation journey toward new heights. With the right approach and partnership with a reputable cloud service provider like Unisys, businesses can confidently embrace the cloud and unlock limitless possibilities for future success.
