“There are 39 service providers currently offering cloud computing services in Vietnam, which encompass both foreign giants like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon, as well as numerous domestic providers presenting a plethora of solutions. This diversity can pose a challenge for businesses seeking the most suitable supplier.” (According to data from the Department of Telecommunications under the Ministry of Information and Communications). Therefore the question arises: How can enterprises identify a reputable cloud provider that aligns with their cloud computing requirements?
1. Types of Cloud Services
Cloud services have become the preferred model for businesses looking to accelerate their digital transformation. They offer the flexibility, scalability, resiliency, and security that businesses demand. With cloud services, there’s no need to worry about the physical limitations of on-premises servers or invest heavily in building, managing, and maintaining an in-house data center.
As the demand for cloud services continues to grow, businesses face the challenge of selecting the right cloud service model to meet their specific needs. Let’s explore the most popular cloud models in use today: Public Cloud, Private Cloud, Hybrid Cloud, and Multi-Cloud.
Public Cloud
Public Cloud is a service that allows organisations and individuals to rent or purchase shared storage space on a cloud platform. Third-party providers offer resources through the Internet, making them available for use. While some public cloud resources are offered for free, customers can also opt for subscription-based or pay-as-you-go models to access additional resources.
- Advantages: It helps save on initial deployment costs, significantly reduces application deployment time, often enables deployments within hours, and offers flexible scalability.
- Disadvantages: One challenge is the relatively lower level of data security due to shared space. However, modern technology has been improving in this regard, and the public cloud has a certain level of data security.
Private Cloud
For organisations like government agencies, financial institutions, banks, and insurance companies, or any entity requiring rigorous data control, a private cloud is an ideal choice. In a private cloud, businesses have exclusive ownership of their data and full control and oversight over all data stored within the cloud environment.
Advantages: It offers high levels of security, and data is managed through the organisation’s dedicated software systems.
Disadvantages: The deployment and operating costs are typically high because all equipment needs to be individually purchased and tailored to meet the specific requirements of the business.
Hybrid Cloud
A hybrid cloud is a type of cloud computing that combines on-premises infrastructure, often referred to as a private cloud, with a public cloud. The hybrid cloud allows for the seamless movement of data and applications between these two environments. This storage model also enables businesses to make more flexible choices when it comes to securing their data, as only specific portions may require stringent security measures.
Advantages: Hybrid cloud platforms offer organisations several key benefits, including greater cost flexibility, increased deployment options, the ability to maintain data security when necessary, and the capacity to expand storage space swiftly and flexibly.
Disadvantages: Given the combination of diverse cloud models, effective management strategies and experienced staff are essential for successful implementation.
Multi-Cloud
Multi-cloud services allow businesses to utilise multiple technology platforms and various cloud computing providers such as Google Cloud, Amazon Web Services, Azure, and manage them from a single interface.
Advantages: Multi-cloud enables businesses to flexibly choose from a variety of cloud providers, leveraging diversity to meet their specific needs while benefiting from competitive pricing and resources from multiple providers.
Disadvantages: Managing and integrating multi-cloud environments can be complex, requiring a high level of technical expertise. Ensuring security becomes intricate, potentially resulting in hidden management costs.
2. Cloud Computing Applications in Businesses
Cloud computing applications play a pivotal role in seamlessly integrating businesses into the digital age:
- Store and share data
The development of technology has made it possible for us to handle remote work efficiently and quickly. When an organization uses cloud computing, their employees can work from anywhere, as long as their devices can connect to the Internet.
- Backup and restore data quickly
Manually backing up data with cumbersome hardware devices often consumes a significant amount of time and requires substantial infrastructure costs. However, backing up data on cloud computing is an economical solution and ensures data security for businesses, especially in the face of potential threats such as hacker attacks or natural disasters.
- Website Hosting
Websites serve as crucial communication channels between businesses and their customers. Consequently, it’s imperative for businesses to reduce the risk of website downtime caused by technical issues, ensuring uninterrupted business operations. Cloud-based website hosting enables businesses to securely store their websites, guaranteeing normal operation even if the server encounters problems.
- Business Management Applications
The digital transformation of enterprises is prompting organizations to migrate from complex tools to software solutions that aid administrators in tasks such as project management, human resource management, content management, sales management, customer relationship management, and more. However, the proliferation of software can make it challenging for managers to monitor and understand employee workflow. Consequently, an increasing number of enterprises are turning to cloud services for the convenient maintenance, security, and streamlined management of personnel and data.
3. 05 Steps to Choose the Right Cloud Service Provider for Your Business
Step 1: Choosing the Right Cloud Service Provider – Identifying 03 Key Criteria
+ Security and Safety: Cloud security is a top priority when choosing cloud service providers. To ensure it, the providers have to maintain a modern physical server infrastructure that adheres to international standards.
+ Customer Support and Management Team: A crucial criterion is the availability of a 24/7 support team. This ensures that data backup processes are continually monitored, minimizing risks and enabling prompt issue resolution.
+ Service Variety: An ideal supplier offers a wide range of services, allowing customers to select those that align with their specific needs. Additionally, considerations such as the technology employed by the provider, cost, and time associated with each service are essential criteria that should not be overlooked.
Step 2: Choose whether the supplier’s architectural infrastructure is suitable for the business’s IT infrastructure
Gathering information about the supplier’s architectural infrastructure will help enterprises determine its compatibility with their own model. Enterprises can confidently choose a provider with cloud servers that have successfully served large corporations.
Step 3: Choose the Cloud Service Deployment Strategy that best suits your Business
Every business has unique cloud storage needs. Reputable providers will propose cloud system development and management strategies that align with business requirements. They will also offer a comprehensive range of cloud services, including Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), allowing customers to select the most suitable options.
Step 4: Solutions to mitigate Provider Security risks
Before deploying the service, the provider should have a plan in place to address any potential risks that may arise, allowing enterprises to respond promptly.
Step 5: Establish an Account Management Plan for Cloud Computing
Businesses will work closely with the provider throughout the process of utilizing Cloud services. The provider will furnish the business with an account management plan and offer training to ensure that the business’s employees are well-versed in the service model.
4. Hi Gio Cloud Powered by FPT & IIJ: An Unique Journey to the Cloud
Developed by two large technology corporations, FPT Telecom and Internet Initiative Japan (IIJ), HI GIO CLOUD powered by FPT & IIJ, is the first international standard cloud computing platform designed for the Vietnamese market. It offers a wide range of cloud services to both international and domestic businesses. HI GIO Cloud, powered by FPT & IIJ, carefully assesses the needs of businesses and recommends the most suitable strategies and types of services.
Now, let’s explore the essential “up to the cloud” journey with HI GIO Cloud for enterprises:
+ Step 01: Public or Private Cloud?
HI GIO Cloud assists businesses in formulating an appropriate ‘up to the cloud’ plan. The choice between a cost-flexible Public Cloud or a fully dedicated Private Cloud depends on the business’s top-priority requirements.
+ Step 02: Choose Storage & Backup Features
Within the Storage & Backup options, businesses can select the necessary storage options and capacity associated with Public & Private Cloud.
+ Step 03: Choose the appropriate Network Features
HI GIO Cloud offers exclusive network features at no extra cost. Businesses can opt to enhance performance or select additional network features that best align with their operational needs.
+ Step 04: Choose the appropriate Operating Software
HI GIO Cloud offers a diverse selection of popular software systems, readily available for businesses to install on virtual machines within the Public or Private Cloud.
Conclusion
Each cloud computing model and service type can cater to the varying technological needs of businesses. Choose a cloud service provider that aligns with your business goals to achieve optimal business performance.
