IT industry
Cloud is the English word for “cloud”, but did you know that it has a completely different meaning in the IT industry? This time, we will introduce in detail the basic knowledge and advantages/disadvantages of cloud
used in the IT industry. If the cloud that is optimal for system development is introduced, the “improvement of development efficiency” and “reduction of development costs” that developers aim to achieve are not dreams.
What does “cloud” mean?
To put it simply, the cloud in the IT industry is a term that refers to “applications (or services) used via the Internet.” Sometimes referred to as “cloud services” or “cloud computing.”
A major feature of the cloud is that it can be used anytime, anywhere if there is an Internet environment, and because of its convenience, it is widely used by both individuals and companies. There are many well-known cloud services such as “YouTube”, which is familiar as a global video-sharing service, and “Microsoft OneDrive”, which can manage data such as documents and photos online.
Conventional applications generally install and use data on a personal computer or smartphone, but since the cloud manages all systems and data on the Internet, there is no need to install it when using it. It can be said that it is a service unique to modern times with the rapid development of communication technology and line speed. In system development, many companies use the cloud to improve business efficiency and development speed.
By the way, applications and services that are installed and used on PCs and smartphones for clouds that do not need to be installed are called “on-premises”. There are various situations where the cloud is useful in business such as business management and remote work, but in the following sections, we will explain in detail the main uses and merits of the cloud.
What you can do with the cloud
- System development environment construction
- Operation management of virtual server
- Engineer attendance management and payroll
- Schedule sharing with business partners
- Data backup etc.
Companies responsible for system development mainly use the cloud for the above purposes. Due to the characteristic of “managing data on the Internet”, using the cloud makes it easier to carry out development and management work anywhere. Taking advantage of this cloud feature that it can be used anywhere, it is attractive that it can be used for various purposes such as promoting systems developed in cooperation with external engineers and managing attendance of engineers with different working styles. is.
Among the cloud services, there are many services for system development, such as “AWS Cloud9” developed by Amazon, which is known as a web shopping site, and “Microsoft Azure”, which boasts a high degree of recognition as a service provided by Microsoft. I have. The functions and fee structures installed in each are different, but if you are a person in charge of a company who wants to introduce the cloud to development work, you can ask “what can you do concretely” with each cloud. Let’s keep track of it.
What are the benefits of adopting the cloud in a company?
There are advantages and disadvantages to the cloud, which does not need to be installed when using it, and the on-premises, which requires installation.
| Benefits of system development | Disadvantages in system development | |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud | Easy to promote remote work with low introduction cost and operation cost that can build a development environment smoothly |
Difficult to customize systems with high-security risks |
| On-premises | It is easy to customize the system. It is hard to suffer from line troubles and the processing speed is fast . |
It takes time to build environmental development. High introduction cost and operation cost . Knowledge and technology are required for system management. |
● You can build a development environment smoothly
For example, if you build a system development environment locally (on-premises), you will need to install software for each engineer or personal computer. As a result, in addition to the time-consuming setup process, it also takes a lot of effort to update or change the software.
On the other hand, if you use the cloud, you only need to use the development environment provided on the Internet, so there is no need for troublesome installation and configuration work. The cloud is more useful than on-premises for development companies who want to quickly prepare the system development environment and improve business efficiency.
● Low introduction cost and operation cost
In addition to speeding up environment construction, the cloud has the advantage of being “easy to keep costs down.” The cloud can be used if you have an internet environment, so you don’t need the equipment and software required for the development. In addition, the cloud does not require the cost of server management and maintenance as it does on-premises, so initial costs and operating costs are low. For business people who want to keep development costs down, the cloud is a stronger ally than on-premises.
● Easy to promote remote work
In today’s world where the term “work style reform” has become widespread, the work styles of engineers are also diversifying. With the cloud, development work can be done not only in the office but also from places such as homes and coffee shops, making it easier for companies to introduce remote work. Introducing the cloud is also ideal for companies looking to diversify their work environment for their employees.
What are the disadvantages of introducing the cloud?
● High risk of information leakage and data loss
Due to the nature of the cloud, all system and data management is left to the cloud operator. In the unlikely event that a server failure occurs on the business side, there is a high possibility that the stored business data will be lost. In addition, if information leakage occurs, corporate data will also be leaked to the outside, resulting in enormous damage. Many cloud operators have perfect security measures and support systems, but you should be aware of the security risk of “leaving confidential information to other companies.”
● Difficult to customize the system
As long as the management is left to the operator, the cloud has the disadvantage that it is “difficult to modify the system”. Even if you find it difficult to use while using the service, you cannot freely customize it. In some cases, updates on the operator side improve the functionality and usability of the service, but the disadvantage of the cloud is that it is less customizable than on-premises because it cannot be managed by the company.
What kind of cloud is there?
By the way, there are three types of cloud such as SaaS (Birth), PaaS (Perth), and IaaS (Earth). They are often confused because they are similar in content, but each has the following differences:
| Cloud type | Overview | Typical service |
|---|---|---|
| SaaS (Software as a Service) | Software available on the internet | Gmail |
| PaaS (Platform as a Service) | Platform required to run development environment apps that can be used on the Internet | Microsoft Azure Google App Engine |
| IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) | Infrastructure such as virtual servers and firewalls that can be used on the Internet | AWS Google Cloud |
Both are the same in that they can be used on the Internet, but the types are divided according to the “contents of the services provided”.
To put it simply
“SaaS” provides software
“PaaS” provides the tools and environment required for system development
“IaaS” provides infrastructure such as virtual servers and storage.
For example, software provided on the Internet such as Gmail and Twitter falls under “SaaS”. On the other hand, services that provide a platform for system development on the Internet, such as Microsoft Azure, fall under “PaaS”. When deploying the cloud in a company, cloud services such as SaaS and PaaS will be used properly according to the purpose.
How to introduce cloud service in system development?
In the present age when the cloud is widespread, many cloud services specialize in system development. Again, each cloud service has different features and pricing, so there are some things companies should consider before choosing a service.
- What is the purpose of introducing the cloud?
- How many departments and people use the cloud?
- Is it possible to migrate or link from an existing system that is already in use?
- How much does the service introduction cost and operation cost?
- Is there a problem with the security of the service?
- Who will be the cloud administrator
- How to inform employees about how to use the cloud and rules
By deciding the above factors in advance, the purpose of introduction and cost will be clarified, and it will be easier to select the most suitable cloud service for the company. However, if you lack IT knowledge and skills, you tend to fall into the case of “I don’t know which cloud to choose” even after careful consideration. Therefore, if you are uncertain about how to select or install a cloud, you may use a “coordination service” that supports the selection and introduction of the most suitable cloud for your company.
Finally, if you are new to cloud adoption, we recommend that you initially limit your use of cloud services to only some businesses or departments. This is because there are many cases where the site is confused when migrating from an existing system to the cloud at once. If you introduce cloud services in separate stages, it will be easier to achieve a smooth introduction.
