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Cloud Computing: Riding on the Clouds

One of the most disruptive technology of our times, all of us are using cloud computing in some way albeit unknowingly.

Don’t believe me, some of of the cloud services you are probably using — Gmail, Dropbox, Google Drive, Facebook, Apple iCloud etc.

Cloud computing is a preferred technology option not only for enterprises of all sizes but also for consumers like you and me. Cloud computing is moving your IT services and infrastructure as on-demand self-service over the internet allowing easy access globally.

I hope you are as excited as I am to dive a bit deep into the world of cloud computing.

Let’s get going…

Cloud Computing : History and Evolution

Only past decade or so cloud computing started to really develop, though the origin can be traced back to 1950s.

For the ease of understanding let me divide the evolution of cloud computing in 4 phases:

1. Early Phase (1950–1970)
2. Pre-cloud Phase (1970–1990)
3. Cloud Phase (1990–2010)
4. Hyper Cloud Phase (2010–2020)

Early Phase

• 1955, John McCarthy introduces concept of mainframe timesharing
• 1969, JCR Licklider developed an interconnected system of computers based on primitive version of internet called ARPANET (Advanced Research Projects Agency Networks)

Pre-cloud Phase

• 1972, IBM launched an operating system called Virtual Machine (VM) OS.
• 1990s, telcos started offering VPN (virtual private networks)

Cloud Phase

• 1997, Prof. Ramnath Chellappa used the term “Cloud computing”
• 1999, Salesforce introduced delivering of enterprise applications via website
• 2006, Amazon Web Services (AWS) launched Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2)
• 2007, rebirth of Netflix from DVD postal service to video-streaming service
• 2008, Dropbox arrived as a major cloud player
• 2009, browser-based enterprise applications like Google apps
• 2010, tech gaints like Microsoft, Google launched separate cloud divisions

Hyper Cloud Phase

• In June 2012, Google launched its IaaS offering Google Compute Engine (GCE).
• In 2013, Docker, the container software, was released.
• In 2014, Google released Kubernetes as an open-source version.
• HP acquired Eucalyptus in 2014 to bolster its hybrid cloud offerings
• In 2015, Google appointed ex-VMware CEO and founder, Diane Greene, as SVP to lead the company’s cloud businesses.
• 2016, few cloud vendors decided to close their public IaaS clouds after realizing it’s almost impossible to compete with the “big 3” (Amazon, Microsoft, and Google).
• 2017 marked the change in VMware’s cloud strategy, selling its vCloud Air business unit to European hosting provider OVH.
• In 2018, IBM announced that it would acquire Red Hat in a deal valued at $34 billion.
• Turbonomic made its first-ever acquisition in May 2019 when it acquired ParkMyCloud, a policy-driven cloud cost optimization platform.
• In 2020, during Cisco Live in Barcelona, Cisco unveiled the evolution of the partnership by announcing Intersight Workload Optimization.

Types of Cloud Computing

Cloud computing uses servers around the globe to form a powerful computer network which can be accessed over the internet.

There are different deployment models which describes the way a cloud platform is implemented, hosted and used by organizations.

4 types of cloud deployment models:

1. Public Cloud

A public cloud is an outsourced model providing IT services and infrastructure from cloud provider like AWS, Google, MS etc. shared across many companies.
Pros — scalability, cost effective
Cons — security issues

2. Private Cloud

Private cloud is a bespoke model usually residing behind a firewall and used by only one company. This could be managed on-premises or externally hosted.
Pros — improved security, customisable
Cons — less economical

3. Hybrid Cloud

As the name suggests, hybrid cloud combine both public and private cloud. This model offers a more tailored solution depending upon business needs.
Pros — highly flexible, cost benefit
Cons — performance risks

4. Community Cloud

Although least common of all the cloud models, community model is used by businesses of same industry sharing similar applications.
Pros — cost effective
Cons — security issues

Cloud Computing — Types of Service Models

With cloud computing getting common across organizations, the phrase “as-a-service” seems to be used quite often.

Sometimes called as computing stack (or pyramid) comprised of three layers as they are build on top of one another.

The 3 types of service models are:

1. Infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS)

This is the foundatation of cloud service model providing computing infrastructure comprised of — virtual servers, storage, networks and operating systems. IaaS is offered as outsourced pay-as-you-go basis. Examples — Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services (AWS)

2. Platform-as-a-service (PaaS)

This is where businesses can develop their own applications. PaaS provides the framework utilising the infrastructure provided by IaaS to build, test, deploy and manage apllications and software products. Examples — AWS Elastic Beanstalk, Apache Stratos, Google App Engine

3. Software-as-a-service (SaaS)

SaaS is the most familiar cloud service model widely used as a subscription or pay-as-use model. SaaS is managed from a central location managing software applications without the need of purchasing software as and when needed. Example — Salesforce

Industries leveraging Cloud Computing

According to IDG’s cloud computing survey conducted in 2018, 73% companies were using at least one cloud application.

Traditionally cloud solutions were designed to serve horizontal general-purpose services and not any specific industry.

However, now cloud providers offer tools and solutions catering to different verticals and tailored to individual customers.

Top 4 industries using cloud computing are:

1. Electronics Industry

This should be no surprise, the early adopters of cloud technology were the companies manufacturing the equipments for cloud computing i.e. computers and telecom components. Example — access of CAD/CAM software in cloud

2. Automotive

Cloud computing has an impact not only on traditional automotive manufacturers but also on connected vehicles segment. Example — cloud based data analytics solutions for smart cars.

3. Financial

Cloud adoption by traditional banking institutions and also by Fintech companies. Example — SaaS solutions for back office tasks and keeping records.

4. Education

This is probably the best industry to talk about because of heavy usage of cloud technology since Covid outbreak. Example — online cloud platforms for home schooling

Cloud computing: Role of other emerging technologies

Cloud and AI

On consumer side, cloud computing and artificial intelligence working together seamlessly improves our lives everyday which most of us never even realise. Businesses are benefitting from cloud computing and AI tools as part of SaaS or improving data management capabilities. Example — Digital assistants like Google Home, Siri, Alexa etc.

Cloud and IoT

Most cloud providers are giving IoT solutions as part of their cloud offerings. Cloud based data analytics platforms facilitate faster and effective data processing based on hyperscaler servers and setting up IoT from scratch.
Example — Smart watches, Smart homes, Autonomous cars

Cloud and AR/VR

Cloud providers are providing tools to developers to build, test and deploy AR/VR applications along with proper computing resources needed to run these applications. Example — Uber using AR & cloud to provide immersive CX

Cloud and Blockchain

Cloud providers allow users to build blockchains across industries and use case, creating ledgers and fully manage them from cloud. Example — tracking digital recorded transactions

Future of Cloud Computing

According to some studies >80% companies in 2018 had a cloud strategy in place, growing to 90% in 2024.

Read on to see how cloud will shape our lives in future-

Serverless Computing

Mainly used in software development, serverless architecture is becoming increasingly popular when creating systems and applications as infrastructure is dynamically adjusted. Customers benefits from automatic scaling of computing resources as per need. Example — AWS Lambda

Data Management & Analytics

Generation of enormous amount of data poses big challenges for enterprises in managing, storing, processing and analyzing data. Cloud solutions helps getting rid of all these challenges by managing data in a centralized and secure environment, reducing processing time and providing accurate data analytics. Example — Big Data Analysis

Quantam Computing

This is the future of computing which will transform the business world like never before. Example — IBM made its quantum computer available as a cloud service in 2019.

Final Words

There will be more advancement in cloud computing in years to come where more and more companies will embrace as a key enabler.