When businesses move to cloud computing, they’re moving their applications and data to servers and networking infrastructure that are managed remotely. That remote management and processing makes it possible to use a wide variety of devices to access data and applications, allowing companies to expand globally while still maintaining a consistent workflow across locations and time zones.

But there are different types of cloud computing, and understanding the differences can help your business choose the right solution for your goals. The four major categories are public clouds, private clouds, hybrid clouds and multiclouds. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to understand which type of cloud is best for you.

There are several key benefits of cloud computing that businesses should consider, including:

Increased productivity: Workers can work on projects from anywhere with an Internet connection and any compatible device, including tablets, smartphones and laptops. This helps to enable a more mobile workforce and can improve team collaboration.

Cost savings: Cloud services are typically billed on a subscription basis, so there’s less need to budget for hardware purchases and updates. This can also make it easier for a business to scale up or down depending on workload demands.

Security: Cloud computing uses advanced security measures that are not always practical or feasible to deploy in-house, such as encryption and redundancy. This can help protect sensitive data and ensure compliance with industry regulations.

Performance: The latest computer hardware is used to run cloud services, so you can expect top-tier performance. This can boost the performance of your apps and improve customer experience. Scalability: The capacity of cloud storage is virtually unlimited, allowing you to store more data and deliver higher quality apps and services.

Disaster recovery: The ability to store data in multiple locations is a big advantage of the cloud. This means that even if a datacenter in one location suffers a disaster, you can still access the information you need.

There are several challenges to cloud computing that businesses should be aware of, such as:

Vendor lock-in: The biggest cloud vendors are extremely powerful, but they’re not a one-size-fits-all solution. Many businesses are using multiple cloud environments to avoid vendor lock-in and get the most out of their investment.

If you’re interested in learning more about the types of cloud computing and how they differ, read the rest of this article. You’ll learn more about the different deployment models, such as infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS), platform-as-a-service (PaaS) and software-as-a-service (SaaS). You’ll also find out more about hybrid clouds, which combine public and private clouds. We’ll explore how hybrid clouds can give your business more flexibility and deployment options to support your IT needs. To start evaluating your options, fill out the form to request your free cloud assessment. We’ll contact you with an assessment report within 48 hours.