How to choose cloud and cloud storage? What parameters should it have? What connectivity should it have and what security requirements should it meet? Is a free cloud worth it? And what to look out for when choosing a cloud provider? All this can be found in the article.
You can think of the cloud as interconnected remote computers, servers. These serve as cloud storage, i.e. for storing and sharing data or for using applications and computing power. The data or applications are on the provider's servers and you access them via the internet, not physically on your computer.
Most of you probably use home cloud storage for private purposes in this way. But the cloud today is more than just file storage or archives - it's becoming an integral part of corporate IT. You can run your accounting through it, use programs like Microsoft 365, virtualize servers, and much more.
A cloud provider operates a data centre where they have a huge number of servers installed, whose data capacity and computing power they rent out to their clients. It is responsible for the physical and cyber security of your data and the applications you use and their continuous availability.
Frankly, we definitely recommend the cloud, it brings a number of benefits for business use and increased user experience. However, we're fair and happy to point out any pitfalls that come with the cloud.
Many - especially manufacturing - companies are "averse" to having data outside their IT infrastructure and not being in complete control. In this case, you may want to consider a hybrid solution.
We recommend - at least for corporate purposes - to avoid free cloud or non-EU cloud providers. Here you really have no assurance that your data will remain truly yours. Better to entrust it to domestic providers. You (and your data, of course) are protected by EU legislation, and you can easily communicate with your provider and support in Czech. At Algotech, we have data centres in three locations near Prague.
Cloud availability depends on your internet connection - data and apps are not on your device, so you can't work with them offline. Therefore, they may not be ideal for you if you are based in an area where quality connectivity is more difficult. But in large and medium-sized cities, you certainly don't have to worry.
Cloud services are usually paid for with a flat monthly (or sometimes annual) fee, so you can discontinue or increase your use of the service at any time without having to buy additional hardware or software that might be useless over time. This is an advantage for companies that don't have the budget to set up their own IT department and server room, or for companies that are growing dynamically and need to increase server capacity quickly. You will significantly reduce costs and save on their operation and maintenance in the long run. To manage IT you need a team of staff to look after it, but in the case of the cloud, these responsibilities are passed on to the provider and you theoretically don't need to employ a single IT person, which is in short supply on the market.
Plus, you can access your data from your phone, for example, while you're sitting in your car. From anywhere, from anything, at any time. Especially with the trend towards working from home or outsourcing, the cloud is an invaluable tool. At Algotech, we use tools that allow you to access your data from any device.
As much as many may disagree, the (right) cloud is secure. A cloud provider that owns its own data center has an army of specialists whose job is perfect cybersecurity. The level of security these services achieve is something you would probably never achieve on your own (without it making economic sense). The reputation of a cloud provider is built on security. Plus, your data is backed up in multiple places in multiple copies, so you can be sure you won't lose it.
If you use a SaaS cloud to rent applications, you can be sure you're working with the latest version. This is also important from a security perspective as well as a practicality perspective. You don't have to think about updates, they happen automatically.
Above we talked mainly about the cloud that your provider sets up for you, but that doesn't mean you can't set it up yourself. In that case, you can get a private cloud that you run and manage within your company. This will give you more control over your data and security, which can be an advantage (at least psychologically) for some - especially manufacturing - companies. You can set up a private cloud yourself, but then expect high hardware costs and long-term management and security of the cloud.
Or you can physically rent it from a provider in a data centre. The hardware won't be yours, but you'll otherwise have full control over the management of the cloud.
The public cloud is accessible by a third party to the general public via the internet. This type of cloud is the most widely used and includes well-known services such as Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services (AWS) and our Algotech Cloud. Customers only pay for the services they actually use, which is great for smaller businesses or companies with fluctuating computing capacity requirements.
When you use a public cloud, you eliminate the management and hardware acquisition costs of an "on-premise" solution.
Hybrid cloud combines elements of private and public cloud. It's suitable for organisations that want to keep some sensitive data and operations in the private cloud while taking advantage of the public cloud for other purposes.
SaaS is a model in which you rent access to applications and other software and log in to them over the Internet. You don't have to install or manage any software; you just log into your account and use the service you need. You don't deal with updates, security or buying licenses. Examples of SaaS include web-based project management applications, email services, or office applications like Microsoft 365.
PaaS provides a complete environment for developers. This includes tools for developing, testing and deploying applications without the need to manage infrastructure. PaaS is ideal for developers who want to build applications quickly and easily without complex server configurations.
IaaS provides infrastructure such as virtual servers, storage or networks over the Internet. The provider grants you access and you have full control over the operating system and applications that run in the cloud. IaaS is suitable for organizations that want to move their physical servers to the cloud and reduce hardware costs, but don't want to give up management control.
This is the so-called cloud rendering. Rent a dedicated GPU server that runs in the data center and can handle demanding graphics and compute operations. It is suitable for organizations that process large volumes of data. You'll use it in areas such as gaming, healthcare, media, research and development, and manufacturing. A dedicated GPU server can ensure maximum graphics performance - both fast loading and preserving image quality.
We run the cloud in our own data center in the Czech Republic and offer all cloud models and customized solutions. We are happy to help you choose the optimal cloud model. Get in touch with us, set up an appointment and fly with us to the cloud.
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