Migration to the cloud is a challenge faced by more and more companies. Such a move brings many benefits, including time and cost savings and working comfort. As a result, it allows you to increase the competitiveness of your business. We explain what cloud services are, what their types are and what you can gain by deciding to migrate to the cloud.

IT-intensive companies fall into two categories. Those that have already moved to the cloud and those that are in the process of migrating. In times of digital transformation – well, buzzword, but hard to avoid – cloud services have ceased to be an option and have become the default solution.

Migrating to the cloud is about savings and convenience

Basing your business on local computing in most cases is economically inefficient. The cloud is cheaper and more convenient because it relieves you of the need to:

• install and configure applications on your own devices,
• maintain the technological infrastructure necessary for this purpose,
• use additional safeguards in case the hardware on which the applications are installed fails,
• purchase licenses to use the software,
• spend time managing the software, including installing updates and resolving inevitable long-term technical issues such as system incompatibilities, security holes, etc.

Cloud tools also allow you to quickly and flexibly select solutions tailored to your business needs. This makes it easy for the client to get what they want and not pay for what they don't need. They also don’t have to waste time and money on tedious administrative tasks.

Moving to the cloud – safest with a proven technology partner

The cloud has many advantages. However, it is clear that moving to a cloud environment cannot be done with a YOLO approach. Such migration requires proper preparation and analysis of needs and business objectives. The better planned and organized the migration is, the less risk of missteps and excess costs.

Therefore, migration to the cloud is best done with an experienced partner. For a good start, however, it is worth to get acquainted with the basic concepts of the cloud environment and understand what the main cloud computing models are and how they differ from each other: SaaS, PaaS, IaaS.

SaaS: the easiest way to use your application

Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) is the most popular model for using cloud services. It provides a company with access to the application from a web browser, without having to install software on their own device. It is enough to enter the login and password to use the full capabilities of the system.

The service is billed on a subscription basis. Thus, you don’t have to buy the system, incurring high one-time costs, or pay licensing fees. This makes it easy to change the application at any time, e.g. to a more developed or cheaper one, or to resign from a given tool. There are also no expenses for system management, introducing updates and solving possible problems – these tasks are the responsibility of the service provider.

A gigantic advantage of SaaS applications is convenience. This type of software can be used from anywhere with internet access and usually from any device. You just need to log in to your user account in the system. However, there are exceptions. Access to some SaaS services from a smartphone may require installation of an application – such is the case with Asana, used to manage projects.

There are plenty of platforms based on SaaS, and more solutions are being added every day. The most popular SaaS applications include Salesforce, Microsoft Office 365, Slack or DocuSign. At KISS digital we deal with SaaS services all the time – both as clients-users and contractors. The applications we have developed using the Software-as-a-Service model include Parlor Social online social club, AgroDeal advertising platform or SharesInside – an advanced platform connecting investors, listed companies and stock exchanges.

PaaS: a software-hardware "combo" in the cloud

Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) is a solution addressed primarily to programmers and companies developing their own software. In short, PaaS is about providing a virtual work environment. The service includes provision of hardware infrastructure, i.e. servers, storage and network as well as software base, i.e. development tools, database management systems, analytical services, middleware, etc.

PaaS is the optimal choice for startups and other companies working on creating their own unique application at a relatively low cost. Cloud services provided in this model provide the client with a comprehensive environment to create, test and run the software. As a result, developers don’t have to start working on a new system from scratch, which translates into savings of time and money. Most of all, however, using PaaS allows you to focus on the creative aspect of work and on developing innovative solutions – more well-thought-out and accurately matched to the company's business objectives.

Examples of PaaS solutions include Google App Engine or some of the AWS services such as RDS, Redshift or Elasticsearch. At KISS digital we also use PaaS services – both for our own use and when designing solutions commissioned by our clients. Apart from the examples mentioned above, other applications of this type include Elastic Cache, a data warehouse, or SQS, a queue management tool.

We also use Platform-as-a-Service solutions in other areas. This allows us to accelerate development work, reduce costs, and at the same time provides comfort and security by developing projects based on a proven, secure IT infrastructure.

IaaS: cloud infrastructure is scalable and cheaper

Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) is the service of providing basic computing, storage and networking resources to a client. IaaS can thus be described as the migration of hardware to the cloud.

The advantage of this solution is its cost-effectiveness. IaaS relieves you of the need to purchase your own servers, data warehouses or various peripheral devices and bear the costs of maintaining this infrastructure: managing it, solving possible technical problems and taking care of data security.

IaaS provides a company with analogous technologies and capabilities to traditional data centers, including full control over server instances. It is also a flexible and easy to use solution. It enables easy scaling for rapid business growth as well as limiting the resources used and reducing the cost outlay.

As a result, IaaS contributes to the rationalization and optimization of expenses. Apart from the fact that the service allows for elimination of unnecessary costs, it also enables settling accounts with the infrastructure provider based on actual use of resources.

The most popular services in the IaaS category include Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure or Google Cloud Platform. It is worth noting that individual categories of cloud services are not completely separate, and in some respects they overlap. For example, PaaS services also include infrastructure – not only software, but also hardware – although their scope is slightly different than that of IaaS. PaaS, on the other hand, also includes a SaaS component.

Do you want to migrate your business to the cloud? It's much cheaper and more secure with expert support!

Migrating to the cloud can be a powerful growth driver for many companies operating in both the IT industry and related businesses. The key to success is to properly identify business needs, opportunities and goals with the help of an experienced team of experts. A thorough analysis of the situation and development of a precise migration plan will help avoid costly missteps and increase the chance of achieving the intended objectives. If you need support in migrating your business to the cloud at any stage of your company's development – contact us!

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