Cloud Services: Benefits for Businesses

Cloud services, or cloud computing services, are offered by specialised providers and let businesses and end users access IT resources such as servers, storage, databases, software, IT security and other resources over the internet.

These resources are provided on demand: users pay only for what they use and don't need to worry about purchasing, installing or maintaining hardware or software.

In other words, cloud services let businesses use IT resources without having to buy, install or manage them directly — this cuts operating costs and the upfront investment needed for hardware and software.

Three service models

Cloud services are available in three main service models: Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS), Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS).

Each model provides a different level of access to IT resources:

• IaaS — Lets the user access and control the underlying infrastructure, such as servers, networking, storage and operating systems. This model suits companies that want to manage their IT infrastructure directly.

• PaaS — Provides a development and application runtime environment, together with the infrastructure resources needed to support them. This model suits companies that want to develop and deploy applications without managing the underlying infrastructure.

• SaaS — Provides complete applications that run on cloud infrastructure, removing the need for users to install and manage the application on their own computer or server. This model suits companies that want to use applications without managing the underlying infrastructure.

The main public cloud providers

Several providers offer large-scale cloud solutions and can manage the complexity of the underlying infrastructure, letting companies focus on their core business. Here's a list of what we currently consider the leading public cloud platforms available:

• Amazon Web Services (AWS): one of the largest, most established public cloud providers, offering a wide range of cloud services including IaaS, PaaS and SaaS.

• Microsoft Azure: Microsoft's cloud platform, offering IaaS, PaaS and SaaS services and supporting a variety of programming languages, tools and frameworks.

• Google Cloud Platform (GCP): Google's cloud platform, offering IaaS, PaaS and SaaS services, known for its scalability, security and ability to handle large volumes of data.

• IBM Cloud: IBM's cloud platform, offering IaaS, PaaS and SaaS services, with a focus on security and compliance.

• Oracle Cloud: Oracle's cloud platform, offering IaaS, PaaS and SaaS services, known for its integration capabilities with existing Oracle applications.

Where TN Solutions Fits Into This Picture

Of the three models above, TN Solutions' day-to-day work with SMEs sits mostly in SaaS: migrating and managing Microsoft 365 (email, files, collaboration), including choosing the right licences and setting up security and backup correctly. AWS, Azure and Google Cloud are useful context for understanding the landscape, but for most of the businesses we work with, the practical question isn't "which hyperscaler to pick" — it's "how do we move email, files and applications to a well-managed cloud environment without stopping work", which is the part we handle directly.

A SOLUTION WITHIN A CLICK'S REACH…

Do you need cloud services, want to learn more, or need IT support of another kind? TN Solutions has a team of specialised technicians ready to help with any IT need, from choosing the right cloud service model to day-to-day infrastructure management. If you're weighing up a move to the cloud or want to compare costs against your current infrastructure, let's talk: we'll assess your needs for free and recommend the solution that fits best.