Cloud Services for Larger Companies

In this continuing series about cloud services, we’ll look at more cloud computing choices for small to medium size businesses, this time looking at those with more than 500 employees.Cloud computing is a big term that encompasses a lot of services. Most common are Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), which offer one specific service or application. Cloud computing can also include Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), which gives businesses a platform to create (and integrate into one platform) custom apps, databases, or services. Infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) takes it one step further, allowing businesses to buy virtual infrastructure from providers. Infrastructure in this case can mean servers, memory, firewalls and more.Cloud computing has been viewed as a tool that primarily offers advantages to small and medium businesses. But as more services migrate to the cloud, more large companies are starting to take advantage. Below are some examples of the kinds of services available for larger companies.Google Compute EngineThis is a fairly new Iaas offering from Google. Like other IaaS services, Compute Engine lets a company rent systems instead of buying racks of computers. Compute Engine’s Linux VMs are scalable, and allow you to connect to machines in other data center and to other Google services using Google’s private fiber network.RackspaceRackspace offers hybrid cloud services, meaning you can use public cloud services like backup and databases, managed hosting, or private cloud services. Private clouds work well for companies that need something scalable, have large storage and compute needs, and strict control and security requirements.Windows AzureLike other Iaas services, Azure is designed to take the worry of infrastructure and networks out of a company’s hands. Using Microsoft-managed datacenters, it lets companies to build, deploy, and manage applications across that network.You can read more here and here about large-scale cloud offerings and how large businesses can take advantage.