In today’s digital landscape, cloud computing offers businesses a secure way to scale operations, cut costs and boost efficiency without the need for complex on-site infrastructure.
Government research shows that 99% of UK businesses with at least 10 employees handled digitised data in 2024, of which 35% stored and processed data on-premises, 19% used a public cloud provider, and 13% used a private cloud provider.
Rather than managing physical servers, companies can access cloud resources on demand so they can adapt quickly to new challenges and changing demands. Not only does it allow businesses to reduce their operational costs, but it also means they can focus on innovation and growth rather than IT maintenance.
Whether managing data or developing new applications, modern cloud solutions provide full flexibility and enable businesses to leverage enterprise-grade technology without huge capital investment.
However, there are many different types of cloud computing options, and finding the best fit for your business is essential for strategic planning. Here, hybrid cloud computing experts, whitespider, compare the various cloud solutions on offer to help you make an informed choice.
1. Public Cloud Services
Public cloud services offer businesses an affordable and practical way to access substantial computing power without requiring significant investment in physical infrastructure.
All leading providers of public cloud solutions have built extensive ecosystems that keep expanding their cloud capabilities, with the range of available services growing year after year.
Public cloud options come with flexible, pay-as-you-go pricing with minimal upfront cost, fast scalability based on demand, plus full IT support handled by the provider. Users can also leverage global reach thanks to worldwide data centres that offer wider service delivery.
As today’s public cloud environments are usually built on infrastructure not owned by the end user, they’re typically deployed as Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) or developed into Platform as a Service (PaaS).
2. Hosted Private Cloud Solutions
If enhanced security is a top priority for your business, you may need a hosted private cloud partner. Hosted private cloud delivers dedicated computing resources to a single business, offering higher levels of control and security than public cloud options.
Some of the key advantages of private cloud include the ability to configure the environment to meet specific business needs and ultra-reliable performance as resources are not shared with other organisations.
Private cloud services also offer easier compliance management with greater control for highly regulated industries. And for companies requiring heightened security, a dedicated environment minimises exposure to external threats and cybercrime.
Developed on offsite, vendor-owned data centres, hosted private cloud services combine flexibility in infrastructure management with the added advantage of a secure, isolated environment for robust data and network protection.
3. Hybrid Cloud Services
A hybrid cloud approach involves a powerful blend of both public and private cloud environments, giving businesses greater flexibility when managing workloads and processes. It means organisations can securely connect the two options to create a flexible, unified environment that takes advantage of each model’s unique strengths and features.
Businesses that leverage hybrid cloud solutions benefit from optimised resource allocation so that workloads run in the best environment for their needs. This also offers advanced business continuity where public resources provide reliable backup and disaster recovery to minimise downtime.
Hybrid cloud is also a cost-effective solution as upfront investment is balanced with ongoing operating costs. Not only that, but hybrid options allow businesses to gradually migrate to the cloud at a flexible pace that aligns with growth and current challenges.
If your business needs the power to seamlessly shift between cloud services and on-premises systems as demands change, while combining performance and security with affordability, hybrid cloud could be the answer.
4. Multi-Cloud Options
Sometimes businesses require more than one strategy to support their business needs. A flexible, multi-cloud approach uses two or more cloud providers to spread workloads and resources across different platforms.
Multi-cloud enables organisations to select the best services for specific workloads while avoiding over-reliance on a single provider. This means a broader reach through access to data centres in multiple locations as well as greater pricing and service options for stronger bargaining power.
With multi-cloud strategies, businesses can explore their options and tap into specialised services from different providers.
5. Community Cloud
The community cloud is a collaborative cloud model designed for multiple businesses with shared needs such as security, compliance, or industry standards. Unlike public cloud, which is open to anyone, or private clouds, which serve just one organisation, community cloud is built around a group of users with common concerns.
From security standards and regulatory obligations to performance needs, a community cloud can be managed by a participating organisation, third-party provider, or combination of both. This provides a tailored environment where both resources and costs are shared across the group.
One of the main advantages of community cloud is cost efficiency and customisation. By pooling resources, organisations gain access to secure, specialised cloud environments without the significant cost of a private cloud service. This can be especially beneficial for government, finance and healthcare sectors where compliance with strict regulations is critical.
Community cloud fosters enhanced collaboration and trust through a dynamic platform. It makes it easier to exchange information and manage resources effectively. Not only does this reduce risk and simplify management, but it also allows businesses to balance compliance demands and cost savings with robust security.
Ultimately, choosing the right cloud solution depends on your specific business needs based on security, scalability, reliability and cost to ensure the option you choose aligns with your operational goals.
Here, at whitespider our scalable infrastructure solutions power digital transformation with adaptable networks and hybrid environments that scale on demand, helping you pick the right option for your business needs.