Cloud infrastructure

A flexible and scalable IT infrastructure is the critical IT foundation for any organization. A solid cloud infrastructure allows organizations to dynamically manage, and deploy, their IT resources, allowing them to respond more quickly to changing market conditions and business needs.

Cloud infrastructure

What is cloud infrastructure?

Cloud infrastructure refers to the combination of hardware, software, networking, storage and virtual resources delivered through a cloud computing platform. Instead of managing physical servers and data centers, companies use these cloud-based resources, which are available on-demand over the Internet. This allows organizations to easily access needed computing power, storage and network capacity without the need for significant upfront investments in hardware. Cloud infrastructure operates on a pay-as-you-go model, allowing companies to pay only for the resources they actually use.

How a cloud infrastructure works

A cloud infrastructure is composed of several components that work together to deliver services and applications from the cloud. A brief description of the key elements:

  • Hardware: The physical hardware of cloud environments consists of servers and backup devices, often located in data centers spread across different regions. These physical components form the foundation on which cloud services run.
  • Compute: This is the computing layer within the cloud infrastructure responsible for running and managing virtual machines, containers and other workloads. Virtualization technology plays a crucial role here by creating virtualized resources that can be flexibly allocated and configured.
  • Storage: Instead of storing data locally on hard drives, cloud infrastructure uses cloud storage, storing data externally on servers of cloud providers. Services such as block, object and file storage allow storage capacity to scale dynamically and adjust performance according to user needs.
  • Networking: This component enables users to connect to cloud applications and services with low latency. The networking segment of the cloud infrastructure provides connectivity and data transfer between different components and services within the cloud.
  • Security: Cloud infrastructure should incorporate comprehensive security measures such as encryption, authentication, access management and monitoring. These are designed to protect data and respond quickly to potential threats.
  • Management: Management of cloud infrastructure is typically done through a Web-based interface that allows users to monitor, configure and scale the infrastructure as needed.

Public cloud and hybrid cloud

Public cloud

In a public cloud model, an organization "rents" infrastructure and services from a third-party cloud provider such as Microsoft. The charges "as a service/as a service. The data and applications are managed by the provider and made accessible to the business over the Internet. This model offers significant advantages, such as scalability and flexibility, as companies can easily scale up or down resources according to demand.

Moreover, the public cloud is often a cost-effective solution, as organizations only pay for the resources they actually use, without the need for large investments in physical hardware.

Hybrid cloud

A hybrid cloud model combines on-premises infrastructure, or private clouds, with public cloud services. This approach allows organizations to keep sensitive or mission-critical data and applications in a private environment, while moving less sensitive workloads to the public cloud for greater scalability and cost efficiency.

This model offers the best of both worlds: the control and security of a private cloud, combined with the flexibility and lower cost of the public cloud. Moreover, a hybrid cloud can also be an "intermediate step" for organizations looking to gradually migrate from on-premises systems to a fully cloud-based infrastructure.

Which cloud model best suits your organization and (future) needs?

Which cloud solution best suits your organization depends on a multitude of factors, such as security requirements, performance, compliance and budget. Therefore, get proper advice so that you (together with a partner) develop a cloud strategy that best suits your business needs and goals.

Benefits of cloud infrastructure

  • Scalability: Cloud infrastructure makes it easy to scale up or down IT resources depending on demand. This ensures optimal resource utilization and cost control.
  • Cost savings: By choosing a cloud model, organizations avoid the high cost of acquiring and maintaining physical hardware. In addition, they can reduce operational expenses by using efficient cloud services.
  • Reliability and continuity: Cloud providers offer high availability and robust disaster recovery solutions, assuring companies continuity of service.
  • Flexibility: Employees can access cloud-based applications and data from any location and device, promoting productivity and collaboration.
  • Security: Cloud providers invest in advanced security measures and offer compliance certifications, allowing organizations to maintain high levels of data protection and regulatory compliance.

Leverage all the benefits of cloud infrastructure without the hassle: Azure Managed Cloud

In the jungle of all possibilities, making the right choices can be overwhelming and complex. Therefore, the transition or onward journey to the cloud is often accompanied by complexity, unexpected challenges and costs. With our Azure Managed Cloud services, we take the complete management of your cloud environment off your hands. We make sure everything is taken care of, you can focus on your core business.

Azure Managed Cloud is more than just a collection of cloud services; it is a complete solution for managing and optimizing your cloud infrastructure. Microsoft Azure provides a robust foundation known for its flexibility, scalability and reliability.

With our Managed Cloud Services, businesses get easy access to a wide range of Azure services. These range from basic infrastructure management to advanced cloud solutions such as machine learning and data analytics. These services enable organizations to quickly adapt their cloud environment to changing needs, optimize costs and strengthen their security, without the complexity of managing the environment in-house and under direction.

Valid's cloud services: from design to management

Valid guides companies through every stage of their cloud journey. We start by designing a solid infrastructure, with our team of experts working closely with clients to develop customized solutions that meet specific business needs. We lead the process of construction and implementation, including integration and migration of existing systems, to ensure a smooth transition to the cloud.

After implementation, our commitment remains strong. We provide ongoing maintenance and support, proactively identifying and resolving potential issues, performing security updates and ensuring that the infrastructure is always performing optimally. With Azure Managed Cloud services from Valid, you are assured of a stable, secure and cost-efficient cloud environment that grows with your organization.

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