Cloud Computing 101

Cloud computing has become a term that we often hear over the last decade and many cloud service providers are emerging, as adaptation from governments and businesses are steadily increasing. However, do you really understand what it means, how it works, and the market size and demands? Especially, with all the cloud options and the phrase “as a service” tacked to everything imaginable. Thus, it is necessary to take a step back and understand the differences between the main types of cloud deployment and the different types of cloud computing services.

Cloud Deployment Models

To begin with, there are three types of cloud deployment models; private, public, and hybrid and each model satisfy different organizational needs. Therefore, it's important that organizations choose a model that will fit their requirements. A cloud deployment model refers to the cloud computing architecture (size of its infrastructure, how it’s managed, and who has access to it) that a cloud solution or service is implemented under.

Private Cloud

A private cloud deployment is used by a single subscriber or organization where data centers can be physically located either on-site or off-site. Resources on a priva-te cloud cannot be accessed by other organizations. Hence, it is more secure, but highly costly due to infrastructure, operation, and maintenance expenses.

Public Cloud

A public cloud deployment essentially operates in the same way as a private cloud. However, the main difference is that services are rendered by a third-party provider open for public use. Meaning, subscribers “rent” space on the cloud from a third-party provider. Therefore, it is more cost-effective as subscribers can control the storage capacity with no operation and maintenance fees, but it imposes higher security risks due to the shared nature of recourses.

Hybrid Cloud

A hybrid cloud model, as the name implies, is a combination of private and public cloud deployment models. The main idea is that subscribers can get the best of both worlds. For instance, sensitive data that require high level of security can be stored in a private cloud network. However, less sensible, high-volume data that doesn’t necessarily entail high levels of security, can be stored in a public cloud. This model offers multiple benefits such as cost-effectiveness and flexibility due to storage scalability and resource allocation options. However, hybrid cloud models impose maintenance and operation fees as well as data and application integration challenges.

Types of Cloud Services

All cloud computing services operate under the same concept of remote infrastructure powered by servers housed in data centers. To further illustrate, think of cloud computing services as a pyramid comprised of three layers (IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS), and each layer is more specialized than the one below. Starting at the bottom of the pyramid are the much broader services that are highly versatile, customizable, and offer a wide range of applications. However, as we reach the top of the pyramid, we find the narrower services that are purpose-built for a specific task.

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

IaaS sits at the bottom of the cloud computing pyramid as the most comprehensive and flexible service. IaaS providers are responsible for managing the infrastructure in data centers while giving subscribers the freedom to fully customize resources to match their requirements.

Platform as a Service (PaaS)

PaaS is positioned in the middle of the cloud computing pyramid. While IaaS delivers the necessary infrastructure for subscribers to customize according to their needs, PaaS utilizes the same basic infrastructure, but it also includes the operating systems, middleware, development tools, and database management systems needed to create software applications.

Software as a Service (SaaS)

At the top of the cloud computing pyramid is SaaS and it is the most familiar type of cloud computing services. SaaS providers manage the infrastructure, operating systems, middleware, and data necessary to deliver the program. Thus, ensuring that the software is available whenever and wherever customers need it.

Global and Local Market Status

           As Qatar takes steps toward digital transformation and adaptation of innovative emerging technologies that rely heavily on big data analysis, a need is, therefore, born for data protection methods from natural disasters, human errors, or cyber-attacks.

Global Market

           Globally, the public cloud services market is growing rapidly and will double in size by 2021, becoming a $302 billion market, with infrastructure services (IaaS) leading the market as the fastest-growing segment at 29.2% CAGR. Thus, reflecting new entrants to the public cloud services market who are likely to start with the most basic version of the technology, while SaaS is and will remain the largest segment of the market into 2021, accounting for 39% of the market. Some of the biggest cloud providers worldwide are Microsoft Azure, Adobe, Amazon, Oracle, Google Cloud, and SalesForce.

Local Market

The public cloud services market in Qatar is projected to grow exponentially to reach four times its current size by 2022, with SaaS remaining the largest segment of the market.

Market demand reveals the importance of cloud computing and the need for “as-a-service” providers, especially with adaptation from businesses as well as Qatar’s national plan to grow its ICT infrastructure. Currently, there are several cloud vendors and service providers that operate in the country besides MEEZA.

MEEZA offers access to a wide range of cloud services and products that are secure, flexible, scalable, and cost-effective. With MEEZA, businesses, large or small, can customize their own unique service bundles that is best fit for their organization.

For instance, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) do not have either the financial or human resources to effectively upgrade their IT systems in order to meet changing business requirements. At MEEZA, we offer businesses an alternative that is less costly as well as highly secure and flexible through choosing their preferred deployment and cloud service model. Thus, allowing SMEs to utilize their limited resources in order to thrive, innovate, and succeed in a demanding and changing economy.