When the cloud is discussed, what isn’t brought up enough is that the cloud is not just one entity. Two companies that host their IT in the cloud could be getting completely different services and benefits, because there are in fact many different types of cloud servers.

This blog post will detail the different flavors of cloud and what each offers to a business that utilizes it. Cloud technology serves to cut down on clients’ IT costs and provide strong IT security; how much you prioritize each and the approach you want to take with your network is what drives the decision.

Pure Cloud

This is where all of your applications and data are put on the other side of the firewall (in the cloud) and accessed through various devices through the internet. This includes laptops, desktops, iPads, and mobile devices.
In terms of comprehensiveness and business mobility, this is the option. Business professionals need to be able to work remotely and not lose a step, and the pure cloud is the best way to achieve this. Companies that choose pure clouds take full advantage of its unique benefits, but be careful, because you need to be sure that you trust the cloud service provider you are working with and that they store your data securely. If you want to use the cloud to work remotely, but don’t want to put all of your data on the cloud just yet, maybe you would prefer…

Point Solutions

Point solutions allows you to simply put certain applications, like Microsoft Exchange, Email Encryption, CRM, etc., in the cloud while keeping everything else onsite.

This ensures that you get the specific applications you want on the cloud while you still have complete control over what you want to keep onsite. It’s a nice option for businesses just trying out the cloud for the first time and want to dip their toe in. After they find a service provider they trust and they learn the benefits of the cloud firsthand, a client can possibly move on to the…

Hybrid Cloud

A hybrid cloud enables you to put certain pieces of your existing IT infrastructure in the cloud, while the remainder stays on premise. This gives you the ability to enjoy the costs savings and benefits of cloud computing where it makes the most sense without the risk of being out of compliance if you are in a highly regulated industry.

A Public Cloud vs. A Private Cloud

Public clouds are services that anyone can tap into with a network connection and a credit card. They are pay-as-you-go and managed through a self-service web portal. Private clouds are essentially custom built infrastructures that mimic public cloud services, but are on premise. If you are in a highly regulated industry, then a hybrid or private cloud makes sense.

For more information about cloud technology and how it can benefit your business, please read our White Papers and check out all of the services that TOSS C3 offers!