A hosted cloud solution (a software solution that is simply hosted on a cloud platform, rather than traditional servers) is different from a native cloud solution due to its architecture. A native cloud solution can utilise the scalability, local geographical deployments of the service and the vast storage available, rather than just being hosted there and operating in the same way it is used on a static server, eliminating any need for hardware, and the associated headaches. True cloud solutions can therefore provide best in the industry services and the list of benefits continue to roll out
Seamless integration and unlimited scalability
 One of the major barriers to progress and service diversification is the time and resources needed to develop and deploy innovative value added services internally. PaaS (Platforms as a Service) provide a platform for organisations to develop, run, and manage applications without the complexity of building and maintaining the infrastructure typically associated with developing and launching an app.
A good example of PaaS with high uptake, is Google’s business tools. This is a simple PaaS offering where they are able to spin off new services (new versions of powerpoint, word etc.) and update and upgrade services on the go without the end user needing to alter or change anything or download updates.
Although true cloud solutions offer many benefits, organisations must design their platform to take advantage of the built in seamless integration and elasticity, in order to realise these benefits. Undoubtedly, the most significant benefit of true cloud platforms is their capacity for unlimited scalability, which enables end users to scale the processing power and storage capacity of solutions to fit their individual requirements.
True cloud solutions have been built securely to perform in a multi-tenant cloud environment. They therefore support multi-tenancy, as well as data redundancy. They are often deployed with open APIs, providing users the flexibility to adapt the solution to fit their individual requirements. This agility perfectly complements the dynamic and constantly changing demands of the modern world.
Democratisation of super computing power
To spin off such successful solutions like Spotify, startups would need much larger funding to spend on hardware and computing power. Cloud solutions allow them to tap into this vast computing power for fraction of the cost and allows them to grow their usage as they grow. This levels the playing field for smaller organisations.
Cloud solutions are better equipped to help companies provide best in the industry solutions for their clients. The leading true cloud platforms are Amazon Web Services (AWS), the Google Cloud Platform and Microsoft Azure. Two notable examples of companies using these platforms to deploy their service include Netflix and Spotify. AWS enables Netflix to rapidly deploy data content on an enormous scale, to servers all over the world.
[easy-tweet tweet=”Providing best in industry solutions is the best way to secure a good reputation” hashtags=”Cloud, Security”]
It is AWS that enable Netflix to manage their huge user base and volume of data. Spotify use Google’s Cloud Platform to host their data centre, having opted to focus on data user queries to provide the best possible user experience. The Google Cloud Platform enables Spotify to scale their service to fit their popularity, and to answer user queries within seconds, by hosting their data centre on their scalable and secure platform.
It stands to reason that providing best in industry solutions is the best way to secure a good reputation and competitive differentiation. True cloud platforms enable companies to deploy their solutions in a ‘Software as a Service’ format, which guarantees unlimited scalability and global availability.
Open APIs – giving users the flexibility to adapt solutions to fit their requirements
Cloud solution providers offering productised APIs (Application programming interfaces) give businesses the ability to integrate their cloud services within existing business tools and process. Furthermore it gives them opportunity to tailor their cloud services to suit their business model and has the flexibly to change as the organisations grows. Automating back office processes is an excellent example, giving the organisation the free time and opportunity to work on more ROI focused tasks.
Greater value for money
Native cloud platform with unlimited scalability and no CapEx enables rapid deployment, offers very attractive financial returns, and opens up new revenue streams with the end user customer base that have never been realised before. It again goes back to the ability of cloud enabling unlimited scalability meaning no tedious upgrade is required, no replacement of aged and out dated hardware. Cloud enables companies to remain updated all the time, with minimal investment, and allows business to remain flexible and adapt solutions as necessary.
Furthermore, compliance is a necessary part of business. It’s up to individual companies to avoid any potential cost or disruption, by having in place agile and flexible technology that can adapt to changes. After all, there are no guarantees that compliance requirements that are in place today, won’t change over time. Data has become a form of currency, and its value to businesses is increasingly being exploited to improve service delivery, open up new revenue streams, and redefine standard business practices.
Secure, accessible and compliant
Another of the many benefits of building a native cloud service on AWS infrastructure, is that it will automatically comply with all GDPR requirements when this law comes into force in less than a year. The flexibility that comes with cloud solutions also helps with regulation. With ever changing geopolitical stances around the world, organisations get a helping hand in becoming compliant for shorter periods of time with minimum financial risk.
AWS provides a Data Processing Agreement (DPA) stating that they will meet the requirements of the GDPR. Their teams of compliance, data protection, and security specialists work to ensure that their customers across Europe are fully prepared for the new regulations. For laws like MiFID II & Dodd-Frank, service providers can localise service deployment using AWS, to comply with data sovereignty, high capacity and long term storage requirements.
A final thought
Scaleability, flexibility and global accessibility. These are a few of the positive attributes moving to the cloud can offer businesses. In a competitive market place, where each business model is looking how best to drive ROI – cloud solution services are shown to be adaptable solutions, with no Capex and rapid deployment that offer attractive financial returns and open new revenue streams to the end user customer.  Add to that security and the assurance that a cloud service is GDPR compliant and it becomes more evident and apparent the major benefits there are for businesses to adopt a native cloud service – and never looking back.