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Maintaining applications in the cloud

Kamil Porembiński Kamil Porembiński
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How do you maintain an application in the cloud?

Maintaining the application is not easy. Applications nowadays are so developed that choosing the best solutions tailored to them can cause trouble. Therefore, the question is often asked, how do we maintain the application so that it meets our needs?

Different solutions, different benefits

There are several ways to maintain the application. The most popular solution is to move the application to the cloud. Other solutions include using a server rental service or using your own – a dedicated server.

Each of these solutions has its advantages as well as disadvantages. Often the choice depends on the specifications of the application ie: its type or size.

Benefits of physical servers

Physical server solutions are sometimes being pushed out in favor of the cloud these days, but is it right? After all, they have advantages that are not present in cloud solutions.

First of all, it is possible to physically reach the data. The servers are located in a specific place and can be easily reached. Customers using such solutions believe that this solution provides much higher data security. For some, knowing that the cloud operates in a virtual space is too abstract and they prefer to know where their data is physically stored.

Small applications that do not need scaling are best placed on physical servers. Why? There is one main reason. Costs. You know how much a physical server costs per month. With the cloud, costs vary, due to varying amounts of resources or traffic.

Virtual servers, or cloud computing

By definition, cloud computing (commonly known as cloud) is a network service. Allows you to work on servers that you do not own. The cloud provides computing power, database space, applications and other IT resources. It is often referred to as an external virtual space.

Cloud solution providers

There are quite a few cloud providers on the market at the moment. Every year they are increasing. Currently, we have a choice between a number of deployment companies including: Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud Platform and Microsoft Azure.

Why are companies moving to the cloud?

Today, the cloud is used by the majority of entrepreneurs who are online. They decide to move applications to the cloud because of their desire to grow their business and the possibility of achieving new goals. The cloud also makes it possible to constantly manage your business, no matter what conditions are going on around you.

In addition, cloud solutions allow streamlining operations in the operation of the company. Having your own servers, you should take care of their maintenance and upkeep. In the case of cloud computing, we are relieved of these activities because these jobs are done by cloud service providers.

The cloud works no matter what version of the app you use

The virtual environment leads to flexibility in the company. The cloud provides access to resources by connecting a computer to the Internet. It works from any location, at any time and from any device, among other things: from your mobile device, no matter what operating system it has or what version of the app you are using.

In addition, cloud apps work without installing apps or additional software on the device. Your hardware, therefore, does not have to be the latest generation for everything to work properly, because the hardware requirements are low. All you need is a browser with Internet access. It is not necessary to have your own physical server.

What’s more, the service providers provide a guarantee of continuity of cloud operations. It is much harder to disrupt virtual servers. They are scattered all over the world and no one is sure where specifically our servers are located.

The cloud, and savings

Cloud services allow you to gain savings. The cost of maintaining the application is lower than in the cloud than when using a physical server. If your business grows and you feel the need for more IT resources, the scalability of the cloud is a big plus. In this way, you will avoid making unnecessary investments.

In addition to the high savings of money, you also gain time, because you can outsource the implementation of the cloud. This frees up your time, which you can use, among other things: to manage your business.

Is the cloud a good solution for handling important data?

It is also worth deploying applications to the cloud for security reasons. The cloud is considered one of the most secure ways to process important data. It helps with backups because it follows a selected backup plan, so we decide how often copies are made.

The solution also allows us to archive our most important data on a daily basis, so that in case of problems, a reasonably up-to-date backup of our data is always available.

How do you maintain an application in the cloud?

The implementation of a cloud application for businesses has several stages. Cooperation with Qlos is as follows.

  • Stage 1
    The first stage is to talk to the client about the application he intends to maintain. We then find out basic information about the product, i.e. what technology the application is written in, what parameters it has, its size and how much traffic it generates. Moreover, whether the application’s resources are standard or scustomized. The customer also specifies what his requirements are for maintaining the application. The main purpose of maintenance is also defined, i.e. the value that the client cares about, such as performance, availability or other parameters, among others. The more information provided about the application, the more precisely we will select the service package.
  • Stage 2
    After presenting your requirements, our specialists help you select a cloud application. If the client already has its application in a cloud environment, we try to present the best possible service package, tailored to the product specifications. However, when the customer has its environment on a dedicated server and just wants to use cloud services, we show possible solutions to carry out the migration.
  • Stage 3
    The third stage is to deploy the software to your business and move your applications to the cloud. We will run the virtual environment and configure the technical solution that works best for you. In addition, it is possible to move your databases to the cloud.

The implementation of a new system is usually very fast, depending on the individual systems, but there is no downtime for the company. What’s more, we guarantee to provide a stable platform so that it is available at any time.

Stage 4

After installing the application, we will configure access for individual users. The indicated applications will be properly secured. No unwanted person will have access to your company’s data. The final stage is to make the finished environment available for operation and subsequent maintenance of the application. Our experts continuously monitor the application on the cloud environment. You will also receive support from Qlos while using the system.

Important!

Remember, throughout the process of choosing cloud applications, you can count on us to help you make the best choice. We also offer technical support so that your company does not waste time on the intricate implementation of the service.

Which cloud to choose?

Cloud computing provides services of various types. Several types of cloud can be selected. The most popular models include IaaS, PaaS, SaaS.

  • IaaS
    The first abbreviation IaaS stands for “Infrastructure as a Service.” This is the most basic of the cloud models. In this case, we rent the infrastructure from the provider, i.e.: servers, networks, operating systems, among others.
  • PaaS
    The second case is PaaS, or “Platform as a Service.” This type is used for the development of, among other things: applications, since the service enables development work.
  • SaaS
    The most advanced service is SaaS, or “Software as a Service.” It allows the delivery of applications such as: the Microsoft Office 365 service.

Operation of platforms

The functionality of the platforms is extensive. It includes, among others: mail, office tools or calendar. By moving to the cloud, you gain a flexible platform, without the need to have many individual programs and tools on your own computer. The cloud allows access from a web browser.

A one-size-fits-all solution for companies

There is no one-size-fits-all answer as to which cloud model is best. Cloud applications should be tailored to the company’s needs. It is therefore impossible, to determine the best solution, without contact and conversation with the customer. Each client has different priorities in running their business and it is up to them to decide what they need and what is unnecessary. Therefore, it is important to accurately determine the demand for specific products or services.

The choice of model depends on the needs that the company has. However, it is worth mentioning that the customer has the option to tailor the package to his enterprise. If you don’t know what aspects of your company’s operations the cloud can help you with, we will be happy to advise you on what cloud solution will be most suitable for you.

A tough decision, but great added value

Most companies are now opting for cloud solutions. On-premises solutions are becoming increasingly displaced by the cloud. The reason for this phenomenon is simple. The cloud offers many more benefits for a relatively low price, compared to traditional solutions.

Cloud applications are ideal for enterprise and business operations. They offer new opportunities because they can be used in every sector of the company from business management to marketing.

Cloud solutions also come in handy at every stage of business, no matter if you are a fledgling start-up or a company with a long history.

Is it time for a change?

That’s why it’s worth considering whether it’s the right time for your company to embark on a cloud adventure?

If you are planning to implement cloud software for your business, you can consult with Qlos and our experts will be happy to dispel your doubts. Just let us know you need support, and we’ll be sure to get it!

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