One of the fundamental benefits of using the services of public cloud providers is the flexibility and scalability they offer. Using the vast resources of a cloud vendor, a customer can increase and diminish their computing, network bandwidth, and storage capacity much more easily than with an on-premises data center. Instead of the capital expense involved in procuring more hardware that may only be needed for a short time, organizations can scale up to address seasonal or unexpected demand spikes. When the demand on their systems returns to normal levels, they can scale back down to avoid paying for unnecessary capacity.

According to CNBC, Google will start reporting on its cloud operating income or losses.

Google wants investors to know its cloud business isn’t going anywhere. During its third quarter earnings call Thursday, the company — which doesn’t provide revenue guidance — said it will start reporting operating income (or losses) for its cloud business, joining Amazon in giving investors more details.  

Taking advantage of the benefits of cloud computing is not restricted to organizations operating in the private sector. In the United States, local, state, and federal governments make extensive use of public cloud resources. As is customary for all types of government contracts, some assessments and approvals must be obtained before the offerings of a cloud service provider (CSP) can be used by specific agencies. Government contracts can be very lucrative and service providers who want a piece of the business need to demonstrate that their products meet all requirements surrounding security and functionality.

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced society to adopt radical methods as the world’s population struggles to stem the spread of the disease. The highly communicable and easily transmitted virus has led to the practice of social distancing being employed in many countries across the globe. It is our best defense against the coronavirus until treatments or a vaccine are developed.