What is the Cloud?

The cloud is a vast, global network of computing resources managed in data centers by service providers, accessible via the internet. Some of the best known cloud service providers are Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud.

Why is it important?

Cost reduction: Businesses reduce their overall long-term expenditures by moving work to the cloud. Instead of allocating resources to procure, maintain, manage, and upgrade an internal grid of servers, businesses can utilize cloud providers, which typically operate under a pay-as-you-go model for both data processing and data storage at a significantly lower rate.

Scalability: Cloud providers have significantly greater resources available than is practical for any one business to have. As a result, its clients can instantly access far greater processing power during data-intensive tasks without having to pay to maintain that infrastructure year-round; they can use as much processing as they want, at any time, and only have to pay for what they use.

Security: Customers can outsource many compliance and security concerns to their cloud providers. Enable encryption, backups, firewalls, and more with the click of a button. Cloud providers even handle physical security of the data centers for their customers!

What is the difference between “cloud-hosted” and “cloud-native”?

Many legacy software companies developed their products for on-premise solutions and are relabelling existing products as “cloud-enabled” or “cloud-hosted” in order to take advantage of the growing movement. These updates typically make use of a private cloud for processing while the main application is still tethered to an on-premise solution, even if it runs on a remote computer. Unfortunately, they often fall short of newer technologies that are built “cloud native”, where the entire application was built from the ground up to leverage the full potential of cloud technologies. Legacy applications struggle to take advantage of all of the advantages cloud providers offer because they were originally designed to run on a single machine.

How do SLOPE users benefit from a cloud native solution?

Processing Power: Calculations run on a local machine can consume all of its resources and prevent the user from accomplishing any work until the model is finished running. SLOPE users can kick off multiple, simultaneous runs without affecting their computer’s performance at all.

Centralized Workspace: Unlike other platforms on the market today, SLOPE users can directly collaborate with other users on their team; all inputs, models, and output data can exist in a single workspace that is immediately accessible by all. This significantly reduces the amount of time spent building audit trails, managing files, and communicating with team members to ensure that everyone is using the correct and most up-to-date information.

Continuous Deployment: Slope Software is able to continually monitor usage, address issues, and regularly release updates to the underlying architecture without disturbing the user experience. Instead of waiting for the next quarterly or annual update to the system, users can expect regular improvements throughout the year.

Instant Deployment: Roll out updates immediately without the need for IT involvement or computer downtime. Users can wake up to a solution that’s faster and more efficient than it was the day before, never having to manually convert a model to be compatible with those updates.

Disaster Recovery: SLOPE users can rest easy, knowing that they have access to complete disaster recovery of their data, with guaranteed system uptimes of 99.9% or better.

Security: Slope maintains SOC2 Type II and ISO27001 certifications, in addition to having implemented all HIPAA controls.  As a result, SLOPE users can be confident their data is secure and that proper systems, processes, and policies are in place to manage the application and data, without them ever needing to get involved.