Using cloud computing for your work is no longer seen as something optional. In an era where every business (even one situated on-premises) uses online project management platforms and IM tools for communication, it is clear that cloud-based platforms are the future.
Still, for an enterprise, just randomly picking a cloud-based platform here and there shouldn’t be an option. You need a system… an infrastructure. Here’s what you need to know about the key features and benefits of Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI).
1. What is Oracle Cloud Infrastructure?
The simplest way to describe OCI is to say that it’s a system offering a robust suite of cloud computing resources. This includes virtual machines, storage solutions, and networking. All of these resources are designed to meet the diverse needs of businesses and provide a platform for running apps.
OCI is built for performance. It offers high-speed storage and networking capabilities. It doesn’t matter if you’re running a database, hosting a website, or deploying enterprise-based applications.
Because there’s so much at stake (we’re talking about almost all your enterprise processes), the Oracle Cloud Infrastructure puts a special emphasis on cybersecurity. The infrastructure has built-in features like encryption, firewall, and advanced threat detection.
The most important thing is that the OCI is designed to grow with your business. It really doesn’t matter if you’re a startup or a large enterprise. The infrastructure can scale with your business and meet your needs no matter where you are. It can ensure that you only pay for what you use and that you can both upscale and downscale, depending on where you are at the moment.
2. What are the core components of Oracle Cloud Infrastructure?
The OCI provides a range of computing services that can cater to different workloads. This ranges from something as simple as web hosting all the way to the most complex of machine learning models.
Storage options on OCI are quite numerous. This is important because Oracle Cloud Infrastructure has to fulfill so many different needs. For instance, you have block storage for databases, object storage for unstructured data, and file storage for shared access. This last part is especially important for collaborative spaces. The key thing in storing data is to make it simultaneously safe and available, which is not an easy balance to establish.
Another thing you need to take into consideration is the fact that networking in OCI is built for reliability and speed. These are the two pillars of the modern business world, and as a platform that’s primarily built for enterprises, any problem may cause an expensive downtime.
Lastly, you have the security features which are used to safeguard yoru data. They ensure that the infrastructure remains secure from external threats and help you meet compliance requirements and protect sensitive information.
3. High availability and disaster recovery
We’ve already talked about the importance of reliability. The thing is that humans make errors, and there are so many things that can go wrong at any time. This is especially the case with complex systems, which have so many parts that could malfunction at any time. The OCI’s architecture is designed to be fault-tolerant. This means that even if something goes wrong, it won’t bring down the entire system but just the parts of it.
The deployment is also very important. You can deploy your applications across multiple geographic regions, which will ensure that they remain accessible, even in scenarios where one region experiences an outage. This is important not just for international teams but also for businesses that work with partners across the globe.
More importantly, there’s the process of continuous data replication. Unlike with physical copies, every file and app that’s on the cloud is always up to date.
Now, one of the main reasons why people love cloud-based apps is because they make automated backups and are great for disaster recovery. In this scenario, no data loss will be catastrophic for your enterprise.
4. Cost management and optimization
The OCI works on a pay-as-you-go pricing model. In other words, you get to pay just for what you use. This is amazing for cost control.
One of the biggest problems that people always have with Microsoft Office is that they’re charged for so many apps (some of which are completely amazing). Still, the majority of people will only use Word and Excel, perhaps even PowerPoint. In other words, a lot of entrepreneurs struggle with the idea of having to pay for the features that they don’t use. With OCI, this won’t be the case.
Now, you can set cost controls on your OCI, which will allow you to set alerts and track your budget in real-time. This helps you stay on top of your cloud spending and will prevent you from breaching your budget.
Scalability is incredibly important. You don’t have to make extra integrations or expand your operational infrastructure. All of this is done seamlessly, and you just end up paying slightly more. It’s like if your home could grow a new room every time your household gets a new member and then erase it from your property every time you move out.
5. Integration and compatibility
OCI is designed to integrate seamlessly with your existing on-premise systems, regardless if you want to expand your storage or set up a VoIP for your enterprise. Simply put, this allows you to extend your current infrastructure into the cloud. Such hybrid approach provides flexibility but also continuity, which means that your team won’t need to restart the onboarding process.
Another thing you need to take into consideration is the importance of finding support for hybrid cloud environments. This is important because, most of the time, a part of your team will work remotely while the rest will be on-premises. Also, while this is never too good of an idea, a part of your team will join your cloud infrastructure from their personal devices.
The biggest selling point of OCI is definitely its ability to integrate third-party tools, which allows enterprises to customize their digital arsenal fully. All the tools you were previously using are still valid, and you don’t have restrictions on new tools.
Wrap up
Ultimately, your business needs a system. You need something reliable and dependable, and Oracle Cloud Infrastructure is the right way to get it. You need to focus on setting up an infrastructure that will be capable of sustaining future expansion and growth. Thinking about integrations in advance is important, so embracing OCI might be a great idea.
