With the development in technology, data management has touched new heights. Organizations do not limit their data compilation and storage to a single server as it can affect flexibility and scalability. Hence, cloud hosting is a failsafe measure for any organization as it relies on a group of physical and virtual servers. So, if you want to make the organization more efficient, you need to be aware of its functionality, types, and other aspects.

A network of physical and virtual servers
Simply put, cloud computing enables its clients to access cloud applications and data using the internet from remote computers, servers, and databases.

The front-end portals, such as a device, cloud software, network, and browser, connect to the back-end entities like servers, databases, and computers that act as a repository for storing data. Both the entities are managed by central servers that facilitate exchange using a set of protocols. Although cloud hosting providers rely on physical servers, they also depend on virtualization and automation. However, their general functionality defines their type.

Types of cloud hosting services
The following types of services can be defined based on service delivery:

PaaS
Platform as a Service or PaaS is a model in which cloud hosting providers offer development tools on their infrastructures that can be accessed over the internet with the help of Application Programming Interface (APIs), gateway software, or web portals.

IaaS
Infrastructure as a Service or IaaS typically uses a virtual server, storage, and networking with APIs, enabling users to transfer the workload to virtual machines with allotted storage capacity. It also enables customization of the cases for various needs.

SaaS
Software as a Service or SaaS, as the name suggests, delivers software applications over the internet. Cloud hosting providers of this type can be accessed from any location using an internet-enabled device. Email services are one of the best examples of SaaS.

The following characteristics make cloud hosting beneficial for any organization:

• Mobility
  Greater mobility means users can access data and information from any location with any device (provided it is connected to an active internet connection).
• Cost-effective
  Cloud hosting services can reduce capital costs as organizations don’t necessarily have to invest in storage equipment. It not only saves costs associated with storage but also associated expenditures like hardware storage facilities.
• Maintaining continuity
  Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery, or BDCR is one of the main concerns of any organization. Cloud hosting providers guarantee accessibility to their data in case of inoperable devices. Moreover, these providers can also facilitate data recovery in emergencies like power outages and natural disasters so that business does not suffer from damage or disruption.

Important factors to know
While cloud hosting providers can make several processes of an organization convenient and efficient to use, it is important to be aware of the following concerns:

• Data sensitivity
  Organizations that work with sensitive data must consider separating them from standard data using dedicated servers.
• Security
  This is one of the main concerns when using these services, as the data available on the cloud can be accessible to any device with active internet.
• Performance
  Latency can be one of the biggest challenges of an organization as they need to have reliable and sturdy internet connections to access and review data.

Popular hosting providers

A2 Hosting
It is one of the top providers with a bandwidth range between 2TB and 8TB and storage options of up to 450GB, 8 CPU cores, and a whopping 32GB RAM. The configuration ensures efficient multitasking and transferring data to the cloud.

Cloudways
This provider lets you deploy your cloud servers from up to 25 locations, providing the leverage to choose the region and city. With bandwidth speeds ranging from 1TB to 5TB, the servers have storage options of up to 160GB, depending on the plan.

SiteGround
It is best for shopping websites as all web or cloud hosting plans are e-commerce enabled with free SSL. It has a storage capacity starting from 10GB to 40GB, so you can choose the one that suits your business size and requirements.