Top Benefits of Cloud-Based Digital Infrastructure Solutions

Cloud-based digital infrastructure solutions can be used on their own or combined with on-premises solutions. In either case, leveraging cloud digital infrastructure offers a range of important benefits. Here is a quick guide to what you need to know about them.

Understanding cloud-based infrastructure

In IT, a cloud is essentially a pool of resources that can be accessed over a network. Clouds have two main forms, private and public.

Private clouds are clouds that are exclusively for the use of a specific entity. They may be run on in-house infrastructure. It is, however, also common for them to be run on third-party infrastructure (or a combination of in-house and third-party infrastructure.

Public clouds are clouds that are available to anyone to use. Tenants share resources but each tenant is kept within their own isolated area within the cloud. This minimizes the risk of both resource conflicts and data leaks between tenants. Public clouds can be used on a contracted basis or on-demand (or a combination of both).

Private and public clouds can be combined to form hybrid clouds. These are more complex than either private or public clouds. The payback for managing this complexity is the opportunity to create a whole that is far greater than the sum of its parts.

The benefits of cloud digital infrastructure

Here are the 7 main benefits of using (public) cloud digital infrastructure.

Cost efficiency

One of the major selling points of cloud digital infrastructure is that it is very cost-efficient. Firstly, it enables businesses to avoid the need for significant up-front capital investment. Secondly, public cloud service providers generally offer different pricing structures and tariffs to suit different needs.

Businesses can usually combine these to make the best use of their resources. For example, they may use a committed contract for their core needs to get the most attractive pricing. They can then supplement this with on-demand (pay-as-you-go) access if required (e.g. during peak periods).

Moreover, public cloud vendors handle everything related to the operation of the cloud infrastructure. Businesses just have to manage their own use of it (e.g. their own user accesses and data). This can generate further cost savings.

Enhanced accessibility and collaboration

Cloud infrastructure enables data and applications to be accessible from virtually any location with an internet connection. This global accessibility is especially valuable for businesses with distributed teams, as it promotes seamless access to the same information, regardless of geographic location.

Cloud platforms often come with collaboration tools that allow employees to work together in real-time, facilitating productivity and communication across remote and in-office teams alike.

In-built data security and compliance

Many cloud providers employ advanced security protocols, including data encryption, multi-factor authentication, and regular vulnerability assessments, helping to protect sensitive business information.

Cloud infrastructure providers also assist with compliance, as they adhere to various industry standards and data regulations. This support reduces the compliance burden on businesses and ensures that critical data remains protected while meeting regulatory requirements.

Automatic updates and maintenance

Cloud service providers manage and maintain the infrastructure, including regular software updates, patches, and security upgrades. This automatic upkeep not only reduces the burden on internal IT teams but also ensures that systems are up-to-date with the latest features and security measures. With these updates, businesses experience less downtime and can focus more on strategic initiatives rather than routine maintenance.

Enhanced disaster recovery and backup

Cloud infrastructure solutions typically offer robust disaster recovery and backup features. Data redundancy is built into most cloud platforms, meaning that data is backed up in multiple locations, often across geographic regions.

In case of a system failure, data can be quickly restored from these backups, minimizing downtime and potential losses. This fast recovery process helps businesses maintain continuity even in the event of unexpected disruptions.

Energy efficiency

By consolidating resources across multiple businesses, cloud infrastructure reduces overall energy consumption compared to on-premises data centers. This approach lowers the environmental impact, as fewer physical servers are needed, leading to reduced carbon emissions.

Many cloud providers are also committed to using renewable energy sources to power their data centers, which further supports sustainability goals and reduces the environmental footprint of businesses that adopt cloud solutions.

Increased innovation and agility

Cloud infrastructure enables businesses to experiment with new technologies and applications more easily and at lower costs. By accessing cloud-based development tools, businesses can prototype, test, and deploy new solutions quickly, allowing them to bring innovations to market faster.

Additionally, the agility provided by the cloud means companies can adapt to changes in customer demands or industry trends without the delay of setting up new physical infrastructure, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.