7 Most Popular Applications of Cloud Computing : All You Need to Know

What is Cloud Computing?

Cloud Computing refers to the delivery of on-demand computing services over the Internet on an as-needed basis. It allows businesses to rent access to computing services like servers, storage, databases, analytics, networking, software, and intelligence, typically over the Internet.

By renting IT resources from a cloud service provider, companies can avoid setting up and owning data centers and computing infrastructure. This reduces the cost of developing and installing software to improve business operations. Companies simply pay for services they use when they use. Thus cloud computing enables business owners to lower operational costs, run their infrastructure more efficiently, and scale as business needs change. 

What Are the Benefits of Cloud Computing?

Cloud computing offers numerous benefits, which is why businesses of all sizes – from corporate giants to small start-ups - are adopting it with such enthusiasm. The top benefits of cloud computing are:

Lower Costs

It is expensive to establish and run in-house computing infrastructure. Purchasing and maintaining equipment and hiring trained IT experts come at a cost. By switching to cloud computing, businesses only need to pay for the services they procure. This results in significant cost savings. 

Mobility

Cloud-based technology offers mobility, ensuring workers can access resources in the cloud in real-time from any location or device. 

Scalability

Businesses using cloud computing can scale up or down their IT features based on business requirements. 

Disaster Recovery

There’s no need for a disaster recovery data backup plan in cloud systems. There’s no permanent data loss in case of a disaster. 

Data Security

Cloud computing offers many advanced data security features to guarantee data safety and security. 

Wide Range of Options

There are various types, models, and services of cloud platforms available suited to the different needs of enterprises. 

Unlimited Storage Capacity

The cloud has unlimited storage capacity for all types of data. 

Automatic Software Updates 

Software and security are regularly managed by software vendors on behalf of the users. 

Better Collaboration

Cloud environments allow easy sharing of real-time data across teams within an organization, which improves collaboration and team performance. 

Top 7 Applications of Cloud Computing

Cloud technology offers several applications in various fields like business, data storage, entertainment, management, social networking, education, art, GPS, to name a few.

The major types of cloud computing service models available are Platform as a Service (PaaS), Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS). Plus, there are platforms like Public Cloud, Private Cloud, Hybrid Cloud, and Community Cloud. 

Let’s start elaborating on the top 7 applications of cloud computing.

1. Online Data Storage

Cloud Computing allows storage and access to data like files, images, audio, and videos on the cloud storage. In this age of big data, storing huge volumes of business data locally requires more and more space and escalating costs. This is where cloud storage comes into play, where businesses can store and access data using multiple devices. 

The interface provided is easy to use, convenient, and has the benefits of high speed, scalability, and integrated security. 

2. Backup and Recovery

Cloud service providers offer safe storage and backup facility for data and resources on the cloud. In a traditional computing system, data backup is a complex problem, and often, in case of a disaster, data can be permanently lost. But with cloud computing, data can be easily recovered with minimal damage in case of a disaster. 

3. Big Data Analysis

One of the most important applications of cloud computing is its role in extensive data analysis. The extremely large volume of big data makes it impossible to store using traditional data management systems. Due to the unlimited storage capacity of the cloud, businesses can now store and analyze big data to gain valuable business insights. 

4. Testing and Development

Cloud computing applications provide the easiest approach for testing and development of products. In traditional methods, such an environment would be time-consuming, expensive due to the setting up of IT resources and infrastructure, and needed manpower. However, with cloud computing, businesses get scalable and flexible cloud services, which they can use for product development, testing, and deployment.

5. Antivirus Applications

With Cloud Computing comes cloud antivirus software which is stored in the cloud from where they monitor viruses and malware in the organization’s system and fixes them. Earlier, organizations had to install antivirus software within their system and detect security threats.   

6. E-commerce Application

Ecommerce applications in the cloud enable users and e-businesses to respond quickly to emerging opportunities. It offers a new approach to business leaders to make things done with minimum amount and minimal time. They use cloud environments to manage customer data, product data, and other operational systems. 

7. Cloud Computing in Education  

E-learning, online distance learning programs, and student information portals are some of the key changes brought about by applications of cloud computing in the education sector. In this new learning environment, there’s an attractive environment for learning, teaching, experimenting provided to students, teachers, and researchers so they can connect to the cloud of their establishment and access data and information.    

Why Cloud Computing as a Career?

With cloud computing touching so many aspects of modern life, it is one of the most demanding and rapidly growing career domains. Nearly 90% of businesses worldwide are already on the cloud, and the worldwide public cloud computing market is predicted to surpass USD 350 billion by the end of 2021. Most big businesses spend nearly one-third of their IT budget on cloud computing services. No wonder cloud computing is the next big thing; the increasing demand for cloud computing professionals is unmet in the job market.  

So how do you forge a career in cloud computing?

Most entry-level cloud computing jobs ask for prior experience. Still, even if you don’t have the required expertise in the cloud domain, the right cloud certification can help you land a job in cloud technology. 

Get aware of cloud technology and platforms, gain an understanding of the fundamentals of cloud computing, and work on the requisite skills to advance cloud computing careers. 

A cloud computing professional is an IT specialist who handles cloud computing responsibilities like planning, design, deployment, maintenance, and support. Some cloud computing roles involve overseeing the business’s cloud computing strategy, cloud adoption plans, cloud application design, cloud management, and monitoring. 

Top Cloud Computing Careers

The various job roles that come under the cloud computing domain include:

• Cloud Developer
• Cloud Security Engineer
• SysOps Administrator
• Front-End and Back-End Developer
• Development Operations Engineer
• Solutions Architect

Top Skills Required for Cloud Computing Jobs

• Cloud Mitigation and Deployment
• Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence
• Database Proficiency
• Programming Skills
• Serverless Architecture
• System or Platform Certifications
• DevOps

Cloud Computing Salary Trends

Cloud Architect 

Average Salary in the US -$106,100 annually

Average Salary in the UK - £62,573 annually

Average Salary in India - ₹1,897K annually

Cloud Network Engineer

Average Salary in the US - $144,483 annually

Average Salary in the UK - £ 35,355 annually

Average Salary in India - ₹501K annually

Cloud Security Analyst

Average Salary in the US - $94,949 annually

Average Salary in India - ₹ 5,88,076 annually

No matter where you are located, there is no shortage of jobs for skillful cloud computing experts. As the cloud industry is in high demand, a career in cloud computing can be the perfect choice to achieve your career goals.

That was all about applications of cloud computing.

Stay updated with developments in the field of cloud computing with online cloud computing courses offered by Simplilearn, one of the leading online certification training providers in the world.