Cloud computing, also known as distributed network computing, is used by most companies in one form or another to manage applications and programs from network servers or the Internet. Although many companies have already virtualized much of their IT infrastructure with a public, private, or hybrid cloud option, some excellent automation strategies are available with a private cloud environment. Single-business, private-cloud solutions are designed to provide autonomy to companies who desire to build and manage their own cloud infrastructure, even with the support of third-party entities. Although some risks are involved, operating in a private cloud is often a viable solution for small businesses that wish to maintain control over their IT infrastructure and company data.
What Is Private Cloud Automation?
With private cloud automation, managers access provisioning tools to specify the number and types of resources needed as businesses expand or scale down. IT support and resources are often needed to create, manage and prioritize virtual resources in-house. Private cloud automation also includes the ability for companies to increase their autonomy and gain new benefits such as improved agility when it comes to productivity and competitiveness. They can also access, manage and store data through easy-to-use dashboard technology and establish automated project workflows. A third-party company may also be contracted as needed.
Automated Provisioning
One of the advantages of a private cloud is automated provisioning, which consists of IT services that are deployed without any user interaction. This equates to timely automated support for changing businesses. Adding or scaling back employee resources is simple. If your cloud server is reaching its maximum capacity, more power can be provided automatically without any intervention from IT staff. By using such an approach, companies are able to save costs by managing resources in-house or by using a pay-per-user model from a third-party host. Ultimately, companies benefit from efficiency, security and cost savings when they rely on automated private or hybrid cloud provisioning scenarios.
Cloud Dashboard
Private cloud automation includes a robust, easy-to-use dashboard allowing business leaders to manage and track data in real time. Although automated provisioning is seamless, a cloud management dashboard is critical for managers to establish settings for these automated processes. Cloud dashboards allow managers to track resource usage, modify access controls, manage data and view activities taking place in a private cloud network.
Project Workflow
In a private cloud, developers can unify processes for many types of services. By using project workflow systems, developers can designate various conditions needed to execute tasks. Project workflow in a private cloud environment is an efficient way to manage enterprise projects among workgroups and across platforms. Task management can be linked within the organization and managed internally in real time.
Although private cloud solutions require greater internal IT strength and on-premise equipment (the buy-build-manage model), for some small businesses the private cloud offers the perfect balance of software, hardware, network and server control while still providing a cloud environment for easy and secure access to data. According to an infographic created by edCetra posted at Learning Solutions Magazine, private cloud computing has improved end-user experiences for 72% of the companies that have migrated to this environment, and labor costs are greatly reduced.
Some exciting automation strategies lie behind private cloud computing. For leaders who prefer to improve their bottom line, easily manage data, simplify project workflow and use leading-edge dashboard technology, these private cloud automation strategies will be the right solution.
Action Item: Single-business, private-cloud solutions are designed to provide autonomy to companies that desire to build and manage their own cloud infrastructure. One of the advantages of a private cloud is automated provisioning, which consists of IT services that are deployed without any user interaction. Ultimately, companies benefit from efficiency, security, and cost savings when they rely on automated private or hybrid cloud provisioning scenarios.
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