Riding the Clouds: Choosing the
Right Cloud Solution for Your Business
Behind the Cloud Computing Revolution
What is ‘Cloud computing’ and how is it transforming businesses of today? Cloud computing is the delivery of computing services, including servers, storage, databases, networking, software, and analytics, over the internet. With cloud-based storage, files can now be saved to a remote database as opposed to being kept on a proprietary hard drive or local storage device. The uses for cloud computing are numerous, ranging from processing massive amounts of data to hosting websites and operating mobile applications.
Since the emergence of cloud computing, users are now able to access computing resources and services on a pay-per-use basis, typically hosted by third-party providers. Organisations can cut costs by eliminating the requirement for initial capital outlays as well as lower their recurring maintenance and upgrade expenses. Furthermore, organisations have improved scalability, allowing them to easily scale up or down in response to changing demand. Cloud solutions also give employees more freedom and ease of convenience by enabling them to access resources from anywhere with an internet connection, not just within the office. This eventually leads to increased productivity and collaboration. Finally, cloud solutions also offer improved security and disaster recovery capabilities, making sure that crucial data and applications are safeguarded against potential threats or disruptions.
As the cloud becomes more integral to business operations, enterprises are no longer asking “whether or not” to adopt cloud, but rather “which cloud solution” and/or “how many clouds” they need. In light of this shift in thought, finding solutions that provide optimal cloud performance for all workloads, regardless of where they are hosted, is essential. This is where partnering with a communications service provider comes in. By leveraging their expertise, businesses can ensure they’re getting industry-standard service level agreements, improved application performance, and network performance metrics that are tied to overall business objectives.
Cloud Solutions Brochure
For businesses in pursuit of reliable, fast, and secure cloud connections
Exploring the Different Cloud Deployment Models: Public, Private, and Hybrid
As more businesses migrate workloads to the cloud, it is vital to understand the various deployment models available. Several considerations influence whether a business should adopt a public, private or hybrid deployment model. An organisation’s security and compliance requirements, IT infrastructure, and budget are some factors that warrant consideration.
Public Cloud: Unparalleled Flexibility, Reliability, and Cost-Effectiveness
In a public cloud, multiple users can share computing resources including storage, virtual machines, and applications that are delivered over the internet by third-party service providers on a pay-per-use basis. Public cloud solutions have completely revolutionised how companies manage their IT infrastructure. Businesses no longer need to make significant upfront investments in hardware and software maintenance because of public cloud’s pay-per-use approach. Now businesses can enjoy the benefit of cost-effectiveness where they pay only for resources upon utilisation.
| Made for Easy Use | Scalability | Simple to Manage | |
| Core Advantages of Public Cloud | Public cloud solutions feature a straightforward and intuitive user interface that simplifies managing resources. This allows businesses to get their cloud infrastructure up and running without having to wait on specialised technical expertise. | Businesses can easily scale their resources up or down depending on their needs, without the hassles of additional hardware or software investments. This flexibility is particularly advantageous for businesses undergoing rapid expansion as they can quickly adapt to meet changing requirements. | Compared to on-premise systems, public cloud solutions are also simpler to set up and manage. With on-premise solutions, businesses would be required to purchase, install and maintain all hardware and software themselves. Particularly for small and medium-sized organisations with constrained IT resources, this can be a time-consuming and expensive procedure. On the other hand, public cloud solutions are managed by external service providers who handle all hardware and software upkeep, leaving enterprises to concentrate on their core business functions. |
Private Cloud: Control, Customisation, and Security for Your Business
Private cloud refers to a cloud computing environment in which all hardware and software resources are dedicated to a single customer and are only accessible to them. Without the constraints of shared infrastructure, organisations can adapt their infrastructure to match their corporate demands and specific needs. Private cloud solutions are therefore perfect for companies requiring a high degree of control, customisation, and security over their computing resources.
| Enhanced Security | Predictable Performance | Compliance | |
| Core Advantages of Private Cloud | With private cloud, organisations can have better control over their security measures, ensuring that their sensitive data is safeguarded against cyber threats and data breaches. Private cloud also has enhanced security features due to server traffic being limited to the organisation’s own transactions. This is why private cloud is the preferred choice for industries such as healthcare, finance, and government that handle sensitive data. | With dedicated hardware, the performance of workload in a private cloud is not impacted by other businesses having to share cloud infrastructure or bandwidth, which results in a greater form of reliability and stability. This can be especially beneficial for enterprises with high-performance computing requirements or mission-critical workloads requiring consistent performance. Moreover, private cloud systems can be tuned for certain workloads, resulting in additional speed gains. | It is a critical consideration for businesses in regulated industries such as healthcare, finance, and e-commerce. Data security and privacy laws, such as HIPAA for healthcare data, PCI for credit card processing, and GDPR for data privacy in the European Union, must be adhered to. Through the application of particular security controls and protocols, private cloud solutions can be created to specifically comply with these compliance standards. |
Hybrid Cloud: The Ultimate Solution for the Best of Both Worlds
Due to hybrid cloud’s ability to combine the scalability and cost-effectiveness of public cloud solutions with the security and customisation of private cloud solutions, hybrid cloud solutions have only grown in popularity since their introduction. With hybrid cloud, businesses are able to deploy and manage workloads in a way that best suits their needs thanks to the greater control they have over their infrastructure.
| Flexibility | Cost-effectiveness | Business Continuity | |
| Core Advantages of Hybrid Cloud | Running various workloads on separate cloud environments enables businesses to tailor cloud computing environments to suit their unique requirements. For instance, companies can use a private cloud solution for their internal data processing applications that demand high levels of security and compliance while using a public cloud solution to support web applications with variable traffic patterns. | By using public cloud resources for non-critical workloads, businesses can take advantage of the cost savings of public cloud solutions, while still maintaining the security and customisation of private cloud solutions for their most sensitive workloads. This is another advantage of hybrid cloud which can help businesses to optimise their IT spending and allocate resources more effectively. | Lastly, hybrid cloud solutions provide enterprises with enhanced disaster recovery and business continuity capabilities. By distributing mission-critical workloads across multiple cloud environments, enterprises avoid putting all their eggs in one basket. This helps minimise the impact of outages or failures in any single environment, assuring that essential applications and services will continue to be accessible in the case of a cloud outage. |
Cloud Computing Decoded: Factors to Consider When Choosing the Right Cloud Solution
Having a Clear Cloud Strategy
It’s essential to identify your organisation’s commercial objectives and how cloud computing can support them. Before adopting any cloud solution, you should develop a comprehensive cloud strategy outlining operational goals such as ideal cost savings, improved scalability, and increased efficiency. It is also critical to perform a readiness assessment and formulate an implementation roadmap.
Type of Data and Applications
Prior to cloud migration, you should identify the type of data and applications to be hosted within the cloud environment. The type of data is essential to determine which cloud solution is best suited for your business needs. For example, highly confidential data may demand a private cloud solution, while less sensitive data can be hosted on a public cloud. Certain applications may require specific configurations or infrastructure, making them better suited for a hybrid cloud solution.
Security & Compliance Requirements
Assess corporate security and compliance requirements to ensure that their chosen cloud solution is best suited. Different industries are bound by specific regulations that require certain security measures to be implemented to protect sensitive data. For example, healthcare organisations must adhere to HIPAA regulations, while financial institutions are required to follow PCI standards. Such compliance requirements may dictate the need for a private cloud solution.
Resource Requirements
The amount of cloud resources such as storage and processing power varies among different businesses. Public cloud solutions offer virtually unlimited resources, whereas private cloud solutions may be more limited. Hybrid cloud solutions on the other hand provide flexibility and may be more ideal for organisations with fluctuating resource requirements.
Integration of Legacy Systems
Businesses that have been around for some time will have existing systems or applications that need to be integrated with their newly adopted cloud solutions. This involves careful planning and consideration to ensure that the cloud solution can support the integrations. A hybrid cloud solution may be the best fit as it enables businesses to preserve their legacy systems on-premises while hosting new applications on the enterprise cloud platform.
Internal IT Expertise and Resources
While selecting a cloud solution, organisations should consider their internal IT expertise and resources. Public cloud solutions require less IT expertise to manage. Whereas private cloud solutions may work well for organisations that have a wealth of IT expertise at their disposal. Hybrid cloud solutions can be managed internally or by a third-party managed service provider. It is crucial that the business has the requisite expertise and resources to manage the selected cloud service. It’s essential to ensure that your organisation is equipped with the necessary skills and resources to manage your chosen cloud solution.
Cloud Solutions Video
With faster application deployment that reduces critical time-to-market, scalability of capacity, improved security, and remote access collaboration, cloud adoption is the key to empower operational agility
Navigating the Cloud: How to Find the Perfect Cloud Service Providers for Your Business
Reputation and Trustworthiness
When selecting a cloud solution provider, research your options thoroughly and consider their reputation and trustworthiness. Check for their uptime record, their track record for responding to and resolving issues, and their history of data breaches or other security incidents. Also consider the provider’s reputation in the industry and among their peers, as well as their overall financial stability.
Service Level Agreements (SLAs)
As businesses continue to embark on their cloud journey, their expectations of cloud service providers also evolve. For enterprises that have migrated their applications to the cloud, service level agreements are no longer solely focused on network bandwidth, but rather on the performance of the workload. The goal is to ensure that the application is accessible with minimal latency and maximum reliability.
Support and Customer Service
With any technology solution, ongoing maintenance and support are essential to have. Evaluate the level of support and customer service offered by a cloud solution provider. A good cloud solution provider will offer their support resources along with vast technical expertise. They should also have a well-defined support process and offer multiple channels of communication in the event you need to contact them should any issues arise.
Technical Capabilities
Look for a provider with a proven track record of delivering reliable and high-performance cloud services, with the ability to meet your specific technical requirements. It is also vital to consider the cloud service provider’s experience in working with similar businesses and with transferrable sets of knowledge.
The Future is Here: Embrace Cloud Solutions and Soar Above the Competition!
Your business can reap the advantages of either public cloud, private cloud or hybrid cloud, complete with China Telecom’s SD-WAN and Cloud Exchange. With full flexibility and agility, your business can stay ahead of the competition with the possibilities of tomorrow.
Explore China Telecom’s comprehensive suite of cloud solutions here.
Get in touch with us
Ready to unlock the fullest potential of digital transformation through cloud solutions? China Telecom is ready when you are.
You might be interested in:
