Storing your digital information in the cloud can bring you many benefits. You can view your files from any smart phone, tablet or computer connected to the Internet, and the cloud itself can serve as a backup of data in case of technical problems and damage to your equipment. Access to this type of service is already offered by a number of companies, but what exactly they are and what are their advantages and capabilities, we will tell you in the following lines.

So-called cloud computing services usually charge consumers based on their consumption, similar to the way water and electricity costs are paid.

The first cloud services is the delivery of various computer services – servers, storage, databases, networks, software, analysis and others via the Internet (“cloud”). Companies offering this type of cloud service appeared on the market only a decade ago, but hundreds of companies around the world, from small startups to global corporations, government agencies and non-profit organizations, are taking advantage of the technology in various ways.

Here are some of the things that cloud storage offers:

• Creating new applications and services
• Data storage, archiving and recovery;
• Hosting websites and blogs;
• “Streams” (online transmission) of audio and video materials;
• Providing software;
• Analyze data to create forecasts.

Types of cloud services: IaaS, PaaS, SaaS

Most cloud storage services fall into three main categories: infrastructure as a service (IaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), and software as a service (SaaS), each of which builds on the previous one. A good knowledge of their differences and opportunities is key to successfully achieving your business goals.

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

This is the most basic category of cloud services. Through it, providers provide consumers with IT infrastructure, such as servers and virtual machines (VMs), storage, networks, and operating systems.

Platform as a Service (PaaS)

The platform as a service refers to this type of cloud services that provide a virtual environment for developing, testing, delivering and managing software applications. PaaS is designed to make it as easy as possible for developers to quickly and easily create their web or mobile applications without having to worry about managing the adjacent infrastructure of servers, storage, networks, and databases needed to run them.

Software as a Service (SaaS)

SaaS is a method of providing software applications over the Internet, on demand and usually on a subscription basis. SaaS service providers manage the software application and related infrastructure and provide all types of support, including software upgrades and security. Users connect to the application via the Internet, usually with a web browser on their phone, tablet or computer.