https://www.xperience-group.com/news-item/cloud-computing-and-iot-a-match-made-in-heaven/
The mass growth of both Cloud Computing and the Internet of Things has been nothing short of impressive. As of 2021 there were more than 10 Billion active IOT devices with predictions of growing to over 25 billion by 2030. Meanwhile the growth of the Cloud over the past decade has seen 94% of enterprises using a Cloud Service. The symmetrical growth between the two services is no coincidence and this is due to the fact that they work symbiotically.
IOT devices generate data which needs to be stored somewhere, and the Cloud provides a cost effective and flexible house for this data. As well as this there are other benefits, for example with businesses who deploy apps. Their apps can be sent worldwide in a matter of minutes with the Cloud. Leading to a better service for their customers, as they can use products on demand.
Due to the large number of devices with access to the internet, IOT devices often generate a mass amount of data. This data would be difficult to manage and store with an On-Prem Solution. Furthermore, there would be restricted accessibility to the data across the organisation. Due to Cloud computing’s endless capacity, organisations have a convenient and affordable solution for data management. The costs of Cloud computing are more affordable than on-prem servers, as all maintenance is carried out by the provider.
As mentioned above, IOT devices generate data- a mass amount of data- all in real time. This data can be too much to store on-premise due to it constantly growing. However with The Cloud there is virtually unlimited storage capacity. This means companies have access to data that has no interruptions over time. This leads to data that gives them better insights, leading to a more detailed service for their customers.
Normal PCs cannot cope with the mass amounts of data that goes through the IOT. Using cloud computing with IOT allows you to make use of Virtual Machines which provides substantial processing power. These machines are capable of handling the mass amount of data that comes through the IOT. Processing data remotely also eliminates the need to purchase expensive hardware which takes up physical space in an organisation, as well as the cost of providing power to the hardware.
Cloud security is often viewed as more secure than On-Premises, this is in part down to the fact Cloud providers make security a top priority. Cloud Infrastructures constantly survey threats and with their built-in security capabilities protect against potential attacks. As well as this, security of the Cloud is updated regularly and automatically. Cloud providers will also continuously survey the cyber landscape and update security patches accordingly. This takes the pressure off your organisation as whilst the provider monitors security you are free to focus on your IOT devices and applications.
Cloud services use a network of data servers located across various geographical locations, storing multiple copies of backed up data. This makes data recovery easier if the worst should happen and systems do go down. Utilising The Cloud ensures that your business is in the best place possible to protect against network downtime. Network downtime cost businesses between £65,000 to £83,000 every hour, so business continuity is of paramount importance.
It is clear to see why The Cloud is the storage method of choice for many businesses who use IoT devices. From the cost effectiveness to enhanced Security, the relationship between the Cloud and IoT is one that is only going to grow stronger. With the Cloud ever growing in size and capability, there is a window for the IOT to grow further too. The IOT has been seen to be useful for a variety of industries from healthcare to agriculture where mass amounts of data such as patient records needs to be stored. The use of Cloud storage with the IOT provides potential for it to assist more markets.
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