What is enrichment?

Cloud computing is the delivery of computing services-like servers, storage, databases, networking, software, and analytics-over the internet (“the cloud”) instead of using a local computer or on‑premises hardware. You basically rent these resources from a provider and use them on demand.

Let's break it down

  • Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): You get virtual machines, storage, and networks, just like having your own data center but hosted elsewhere.
  • Platform as a Service (PaaS): The provider supplies a platform (operating system, runtime, middleware) so you can develop and run applications without managing the underlying hardware.
  • Software as a Service (SaaS): Complete applications (email, CRM, office tools) are accessed through a web browser, with everything managed by the provider.
  • Public, Private, and Hybrid Clouds: Public clouds are shared among many customers, private clouds are dedicated to one organization, and hybrid clouds combine both for flexibility.

Why does it matter?

  • Cost Savings: Pay only for what you use, avoiding large upfront hardware purchases.
  • Scalability: Quickly add or remove resources to match traffic spikes or slow periods.
  • Accessibility: Work from anywhere with an internet connection, enabling remote teams.
  • Speed of Innovation: Developers can spin up environments instantly, test ideas, and launch products faster.

Where is it used?

  • Websites and Apps: Hosting front‑end sites, back‑end APIs, and mobile app back‑ends.
  • Data Storage & Backup: Storing files, databases, and disaster‑recovery copies.
  • Big Data & Analytics: Running large‑scale processing jobs without buying massive clusters.
  • IoT Platforms: Collecting and analyzing data from connected devices.
  • Enterprise Software: Running CRM, ERP, and collaboration tools as SaaS solutions.

Good things about it

  • Flexibility: Resources can be adjusted in minutes, not weeks.
  • Reliability: Major providers offer high uptime guarantees and automatic failover.
  • Security (often): Providers invest heavily in security measures, certifications, and compliance.
  • Global Reach: Data centers around the world let you serve users with low latency.

Not-so-good things

  • Ongoing Costs: Pay‑as‑you‑go can become expensive if usage isn’t monitored.
  • Vendor Lock‑in: Moving workloads to another provider may be complex and costly.
  • Internet Dependence: If your connection drops, you lose access to services.
  • Shared Responsibility: Security is a joint effort; misconfigurations by the user can expose data.