What is cloud computing?
Cloud computing delivers computing services — storage, servers, databases, software — over the internet on demand.
Cloud computing provides on-demand access to IT resources through a third-party cloud service provider. The cloud offers individuals and organizations the opportunity to leverage computing power, storage, and databases as needed, without having to invest in buying, owning, and maintaining physical hardware such as data centers and servers.
How does cloud computing work?
Cloud computing works by allowing you to store and access data and applications over the internet instead of on your computer’s hard drive.
With cloud computing, you rent space and computing power from large, secure data centers. This means you can access your files, run software, and use powerful computing resources from anywhere with an internet connection.
Cloud computing is flexible, scalable, and efficient, making it easy to handle everything from storing photos to running business applications.
Companies that use cloud computing
Virtually all modern businesses use cloud computing — around 94% of organizations worldwide rely on it for storage, apps, and computing.
Adoption isn’t limited to any one industry or company size. Large enterprises use cloud infrastructure to run internal systems, host customer-facing applications, and process massive volumes of data at scale. Mid-market and growing businesses lean on cloud-based software for everyday functions like customer management, HR, and IT operations, instead of building and maintaining that infrastructure themselves. And industries with heavy data and compliance demands — healthcare, financial services, retail, and media among them — depend on the cloud to store, process, and protect information securely.
For ThinkOn’s partners, that near-universal adoption is the opportunity: nearly every prospect your team talks to is already running some part of their business in the cloud — the question is whether it’s running there securely, compliantly, and cost-effectively.
Cloud computing is typically used in a pay-as-you-go model to enhance or facilitate:
File storage
Big data analytics
Data backups (BaaS)
Data archiving and digitization
Disaster recovery (DRaaS)
Software testing & development
Infrastructure as a service (IaaS) & Platform as a service (PaaS)
Communication
Social Networking
Business operations & processes
What are the main types of cloud services available today?
Cloud services fall into three core models: Infrastructure as a Service, Platform as a Service, and Colocation-as-a-Service.
The cloud enables an organization to benefit from expanded resources in cloud computing platforms and services, paying only for what they need, as they need it. By leveraging the resources of a cloud services provider with a pay-as-you-go cloud deployment model, organizations can enhance the power of cloud computing while reducing costs.
Here’s a breakdown of the different types of pay-as-you-go cloud services:
Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS): IaaS is a cloud service that lets you use powerful computers, storage, and networks over the internet instead of buying and maintaining your own hardware. It helps save on costs and allows businesses to quickly scale their IT resources as needed. This cloud service also makes it easier to adopt new software and improves reliability without spending a lot of time or money. Looking for enterprise-grade IaaS? See ThinkOn’s Critical Compute Services for private cloud, VPC, and bare metal options.
Software-as-a-Service (Saas): SaaS is a way to use software over the internet by paying a subscription fee. It’s a cloud computing delivery model that provides access to software licensed on a subscription basis and centrally hosted by a third-party cloud service provider (CSP). The software is hosted and maintained by a provider on their servers. It’s the most popular way to access software online.
Colocation-as-a-Service (CaaS): CaaS is a service where businesses rent space in a data center to place their own servers and equipment. This lets them control their hardware and data but costs more than using cloud services, where the provider owns and manages the servers. Organizations choose CaaS for better control over data security and compliance.
What are the main types of cloud deployment models and their differences?
Cloud deployment models — public, private, and hybrid — differ by where infrastructure lives and who controls it.
Public cloud infrastructure is owned and operated by a third-party provider and shared across multiple organizations, which keeps costs low and lets businesses scale quickly — though it offers less control over exactly where data lives. Private cloud infrastructure is dedicated to a single organization, whether hosted on-premises or by a provider, giving businesses tighter control over security, compliance, and performance, usually at a higher cost than shared infrastructure. Hybrid cloud combines the two: sensitive or regulated workloads stay in a private environment while less sensitive applications run in the public cloud, with data and workloads moving between them as needs change.
Which model makes sense depends on an organization’s compliance requirements, budget, and how much control it needs over its own infrastructure — a decision ThinkOn’s partners are well-positioned to help their customers work through.
Private cloud: hosted on-premises or by third-party providers and dedicated to one organization, offering customized options and security features. A private model is located on-site and accessed only by the organization using the cloud technology and cloud services.
Hybrid cloud: a combination of private and public clouds, allowing organizations to leverage the benefits of each and provide seamless integration between on-premises infrastructure and public cloud services. Hybrid cloud computing is gaining rapid adoption due to its customized approach.
Virtual private cloud: using multiple public cloud services, often from different cloud providers, to benefit from cost advantages and flexibility in cloud services options.
What are the benefits of cloud computing?
Cloud computing lowers IT costs, scales instantly, and improves flexibility, security, and remote access versus on-premises hardware.
Advantages of cloud services:
Cost savings
Organizations only pay for the computing resources they use, protecting them from unnecessary capital expenditures to handle unexpected spikes in demand or business growth.
Flexibility
Enterprises and their users can access cloud services from anywhere with an internet connection, scaling services up or down as their needs change.
Performance
Communication and collaboration are faster and more efficient, streamlining operations, preventing errors, promoting innovation, and providing enhanced customer sales and support.
Strategic value
CSPs stay on top of the latest innovations and offer them as services to companies that want to gain more competitive advantages.
Scalability
As business grows and the needs of the organization evolve, cloud computing allows organizations to scale up or down rapidly and at a reduced cost.
Global access
Cloud computing is a global tool that can accelerate business anywhere, anytime, and provide real-time insights.
Efficiency
Organizations can develop new applications on reliable, proven infrastructure and deploy them rapidly.
Security
CSP security teams are the top experts in IT with global expertise in data security.
Sustainable IT
Data tracking, reporting, and automated compliance tools in cloud computing help organizations maintain sustainable data centers, and more efficient virtual collaboration to help users reduce GHG emissions, lower energy consumption, and divert the use of physical resources.
Remote access
Streamlined collaboration, security, and reliability facilitate remote working, boosting productivity and access to global insights.
Can you recommend the best cloud solutions for digital transformation?
Cloud computing underpins digital transformation by giving organizations scalable infrastructure, faster deployment, and access to advanced AI and analytics tools.
Police forces and other public service organizations adopt cloud computing for the digitization of records, helping them track trends, gain individual and cumulative data insights, and provide communication between relevant departments and services. Healthcare providers can analyze trends in medical history and cumulative patient data, allowing for more rapid diagnosis and more effective treatments. Retailers can track consumer buying trends and boost sales by serving customers more effectively.
What should I consider when choosing a cloud service provider?
Evaluate security, pricing structure, data center locations, compliance support, and customer service before selecting a provider.
Security posture, pricing, and data center locations are the baseline; but compliance support and responsive customer service are what determine whether a provider actually holds up once you’re relying on them day to day. For partners in particular, it’s worth asking one more question a spec sheet won’t answer: will this provider ever compete with you for your own customer relationship, or go around you to sell direct?
Guidelines for choosing the right CSP:
Cloud-smart approach
Put the needs of the organization first and choose the CSP that most closely aligns with the goals of the organization.
Cloud computing expertise
The right CSP will have the expertise needed to evolve with the digital landscape, staying in tune with the global marketplace, foreign laws, and data security and compliance.
Partnerships
Look for a CSP who can provide options in cloud technology brands that suit the needs of the organization when designing your architecture and cloud services.
Trust and transparency
Cloud computing contracts can be complicated. Read the fine print and understand who the CSP is working with, where their head office and data centers are located, and what foreign laws the CSP may be liable to comply with.
Global access
The location and number of data centers available through the CSP are important to ensure data compliance and data sovereignty in cloud computing.
Hidden costs and simplified pricing
Confirm that all costs are laid out in a straightforward manner with a pricing structure that is easy to understand.
Customer service
Confirm the level and manner of customer support that is being offered.
Are you looking for cloud services?
Cloud computing with cloud services from a reliable CSP can broaden the capabilities of an organization, streamline operations, expand business, and protect data. A trusted cloud services provider who understands the global cloud computing market can boost performance, provide data insights, and help the organization grow.
Consider ThinkOn your dedicated department of data-obsessed experts. We will protect your data like it’s our own, making it more resilient, secure, actionable, and searchable.
Check out how:
Data Protection Services
With seamless recovery, reliable security, and easy integration, ThinkOn helps you stay ahead of digital transformation, AI advancements, and cyberthreats. Whether you need basic protection or advanced disaster recovery, we have the solution to scale with your business.
Critical Compute Services
ThinkOn’s Critical Compute Services offer flexible, secure, and scalable cloud solutions tailored to your business. With enhanced security, seamless compliance, and reliable performance, we provide cost-effective, customizable options with no lock-ins.
Data Archiving Services
Businesses today face the challenge of managing growing volumes of information. Data archiving is not just about storage—it’s a strategic necessity to ensure efficient protection, accessibility, and compliance. Our tailored solutions help you future-proof your data strategy, no matter the complexity.
Ready to grow with a channel-only cloud parter?
ThinkOn works exclusively through partners — we never sell direct, so your account and your customer relationship stay yours. Join the ThinkOn Partner Program for wholesale pricing, deal registration, and the infrastructure to grow your business.
How much does cloud computing cost?
Cloud computing costs vary widely by usage and provider, from a few dollars to thousands of dollars per month
Is cloud computing secure?
Cloud computing is generally secure when configured correctly, though security depends on the provider and how it’s set up
What are examples of cloud computing?
Common examples include file storage, email, video streaming, and business software delivered over the internet instead of local hardware.
Public or private cloud?
Public cloud uses shared infrastructure from third parties; private cloud is dedicated to one organization — choice depends on needs.
What are some common use cases for cloud computing in businesses?
Businesses use cloud computing for website hosting, data backup, big data analytics, software development, and remote collaboration.
What is the cloud in simple terms?
The cloud is a network of remote computers in data centers that let you store files and run programs online.
The ThinkOn Advantage
Think On, Inc. is a cloud service, channel-only provider with a global data center footprint, dedicated to solving complex data problems through a portfolio of creative, turnkey infrastructure and data management solutions. they are fast, flexible, scalable, highly secure, and cost-effective with predictable pricing and no hidden fees.
ThinkOn’s channel-only distribution model empowers value-add resellers and managed service providers to service the data needs of businesses in commercial enterprise and public sectors across North America, the United Kingdom, Europe, and Australia.
ThinkOn builds its solutions on industry-leading technology platforms engineered to make your data more resilient, secure, actionable, and searchable.