Why in News:

• Microsoft launched a new hybrid cloud solution in India for organisations to build and run cloud-native applications with seamless access to on-premise cloud services with existing tools, processes, and skill sets.

 What is Cloud Solutions

• A cloud based solution refers to on-demand services, computer networks, storage, applications or resources accessed via the internet and through another provider’s shared cloud computing infrastructure.
• The benefits of cloud based solutions to end users and businesses include increased capacity, scalability, functionality, and reduced maintenance and cost for computer infrastructure or in-house staff. 
• Cloud Computing services are divided into 3 categories
  • Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
  • Platform as a Service (PaaS)
  • Software as a Service (SaaS)
• Cloud-based solutions can enable companies to focus on revenue driving initiatives rather than time-consuming, non-core business tasks.
• Cloud computer pricing models are categorized by servers in the cloud, sites/applications in the cloud, and storage in the cloud and the majority of cloud providers tend to offer “pay-as-you-go” subscription based models which enable companies to closely manage costs as well as scale up and down as needed.
• The role of hybrid cloud has transformed from being integrator of data centres with the public cloud to enabler of day-to-day business functions.
• It will enable organisations to be adaptive, agile, efficient, and responsive across locations, optimising operations and IT cost efficiency in an increasingly remote work environment today.

 Advantages

• Less capital expenditure
• Improved disaster recovery
• Environmentally friendly

Disadvantages

• Internet connectivity
• Maintenance costs

Additional Information

Initiatives started by India

• In order to utilise and harness the benefits of Cloud Computing, the Government of India has embarked upon an ambitious initiative – “GI Cloud” which has been named as ‘MeghRaj’. The focus of this initiative is to accelerate delivery of e-services in the country while optimizing ICT spending of the Government.

This will ensure optimum utilization of the infrastructure and speed up the development and deployment of eGov applications.

It is an initiative of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).

• eGov App Store: The eGov App store is a common platform to host and run applications (developed by govt agencies or private players) at Meghraj
• Digital MSME Scheme – It provides cloud-based services for MSMEs to reduce their cost by avoiding the building of in-house IT infrastructure.
• RailCloud – The Indian railways has launched RailCloud, a cloud-based service that will enable faster connectivity at a minimal cost.

Nivaran-Grievance portal – It is the first IT application on the RailCloud. It is a platform for resolution of service related grievances of both serving and former railway employees.

• E-health vision of the government aims at incorporating the Health Information Exchange (HIE) mechanism through a cloud platform. An electronic HIE enables stakeholders to correctly assess and securely share a patient’s medical information electronically.
• Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has been working towards achieving 100% financial inclusion with the help of technology. The RBI has been utilising cloud-based solutions, especially for cooperative banks to extend the banking services across India via core banking solutions. Indian Banking Community Cloud (IBCC) is the first community cloud initiative for the banking sector in India.

 Reference:

1. https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/microsoft-launches-new-hybrid-cloud-solution-in-india/article33819944.ece