Frequently Asked Questions About Enterprise Cloud Computing

Lately, enterprise cloud computing seems to have struck a chord with the businesses, and spark a flurry of interest. However, critics suggest that it is too early to determine whether this service would continue to cause a stir in the years to come or not. They claim that due to some untoward incidents, a lot of companies have become skeptical about availing this service. In such a scenario, the future of this service looks a bit dicey; it might end up losing its popularity. It’s high time that something is done to regain the lost trust, and clear the air. Perhaps the answers to the following questions would be of some help in this context:

Is enterprise cloud computing secure?

This service is very much secure, and is often accompanied by a configurable firewall. In fact, your service provider would leave no stone unturned to secure your data, and safeguard it against all possible threats (read: data loss, data theft et al).

Is it affordable?

This service is quite affordable, and would not burn a hole in your pocket for sure. You pay for what you use; you will be charged on pay-as-you-go basis.

What about flexibility?

Flexibility does not take a backseat, and is very much there. The ball is in your court; you would have the option to choose from multiple data center locations. Needless to say, you can choose any data center location as per your convenience.

Is some kind of support offered?

If you approach a reliable company, you would be provided with round the clock (read: 24x7x365) live support. Furthermore, your service provider might offer 100% uptime guarantee; however, it is advisable to enquire about the guarantee beforehand.   

Is it different from Software as a Service (SaaS)?

Most of the experts suggest there is no difference between the two; however, there are some who claim that ‘Software as a Service’ is generally used in reference to Microsoft hosted applications.

Nevertheless, the answers to the following questions would make you familiar with the nuances of this service:

What are the benefits of Software as a Service?

There are a lot of benefits including simplified deployment, and lower support costs. Furthermore, the organizations that migrate to ‘Software as a Service’ are known to enjoy centralized management, lower customer acquisition costs, and simplified upgrades.  

What kind of challenges should an organization be ready to face?

The road to SaaS is bumpy, and has its share of challenges that an organization needs to take care of. To begin with, it has to scale its operations in a cost-effective manner. Secondly, it needs to meet the enterprise requirements for security, control and performance.