Software as a Service (SaaS)
Ready-to-use applications delivered over the internet on a subscription.
- Examples: Microsoft 365, CRM, accounting apps
- You manage: users and data
- Best for: everyday business software
Cloud Solutions Guide
A plain-English guide to cloud computing for business.
The basics
What is cloud computing?
Cloud computing is the delivery of computing services like servers, storage, databases, networking, and software over the internet, instead of from equipment in your office.
Rather than buying, housing, and maintaining your own servers, you use technology on demand from a provider and pay for what you use. Your team can reach the same apps and files from the office, from home, or on the road.
For most small businesses, the cloud isn't one big switch. It's a series of smart moves, like email to Microsoft 365, files to SharePoint, and an aging server to hosted infrastructure, each made when it makes sense.
On-demand self-service
Spin up users, storage, or servers in minutes, without waiting on hardware.
Broad network access
Available over the internet from any device, anywhere.
Scalability
Scale resources up or down as your business changes.
Subscription pricing
Pay monthly for what you use instead of large upfront purchases.
Service models
The cloud computing stack
Cloud services are grouped by how much the provider manages for you. The more you move up the stack, the less you have to maintain.
Platform as a Service (PaaS)
Tools and environments for building and running custom applications without managing servers.
- Examples: web app platforms, databases
- You manage: your code and data
- Best for: custom apps and automation
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
Virtual servers, storage, and private networks you control, running in a provider's data center.
- Examples: hosted servers, cloud backup
- You manage: operating system and apps
- Best for: replacing on-site servers
Desktop as a Service (DaaS)
Complete Windows desktops hosted in the cloud and streamed to any device.
- Examples: virtual desktops, remote desktop servers
- You manage: users and apps
- Best for: remote, seasonal, or BYOD staff
Who manages what
On-premisesyour office
IaaSinfrastructure
PaaSplatform
SaaSsoftware
Users, access & data
You
You
You
You
Applications
You
You
You
Provider
Runtime & middleware
You
You
Provider
Provider
Operating system
You
You
Provider
Provider
Virtualization
You
Provider
Provider
Provider
Servers & storage
You
Provider
Provider
Provider
Networking & facility
You
Provider
Provider
Provider
You manageCloud provider managesWith FUSION 1 managing your cloud, the orange layers become ours to look after too.
Your data is always your responsibility
Even in SaaS, protecting accounts and data stays with you. Microsoft keeps Microsoft 365 running, but deleted, overwritten, or ransomware-encrypted files are up to you to recover. That's why we pair every cloud service with multi-factor authentication, security settings, and independent backup.
Microsoft 365 management & backupDeployment models
Public, private, hybrid, or multi-cloud?
Where your cloud runs matters as much as what runs in it. Most small businesses end up using more than one.
Public cloud
Shared infrastructure from providers like Microsoft, available to anyone over the internet.
Strengths
- Lowest cost to start
- Scales instantly
- No hardware to maintain
Keep in mind
Less control over where and how workloads run.
Private cloud
Dedicated cloud infrastructure for a single organization, hosted in a secure data center.
Strengths
- Greater control and isolation
- Custom configurations
- Predictable performance
Keep in mind
Higher cost than shared public cloud.
Hybrid cloud
A mix of public cloud, private cloud, and on-site systems that work together.
Strengths
- Right place for each workload
- Move at your own pace
- Keep legacy apps running
Keep in mind
Needs good management to stay secure and simple.
Multi-cloud
Using services from more than one cloud provider, each for what it does best.
Strengths
- Best-of-breed services
- Less dependence on one vendor
- Regional flexibility
Keep in mind
More accounts, bills, and settings to oversee.
Putting it together
Where your workloads fit
A practical map of common business systems, where they usually live in the cloud, and how we can help.
| Workload | Typical cloud home | How FUSION 1 helps |
|---|---|---|
| Email, calendars, and chat | SaaS: Microsoft 365 (Exchange, Teams) | Microsoft 365 Business |
| Shared files and folders | SaaS: SharePoint and OneDrive | Microsoft 365 Business |
| Accounting or industry software that needs a server | Hosted application or remote desktop server | App Hosting |
| Line-of-business servers and databases | IaaS: virtual private cloud or VPS | Cloud Infrastructure |
| Full desktops for remote or seasonal staff | DaaS: virtual desktops | Cloud Infrastructure |
| Phones, video, and SMS | CaaS: hosted VoIP and PBX | Unified Communications |
| Backups and archives | Cloud backup and backup file servers | Cloud Infrastructure |
| Websites and custom web apps | Managed WordPress, VPS, or PaaS | Web App Development |
How FUSION 1 helps
Cloud services built around your business
From strategy to day-to-day management, we help you get the benefits of the cloud without the headaches.
Cloud strategy & consulting
We assess your current setup and design a practical cloud roadmap and budget.
IT consulting & vCIOCloud migration
A smooth move for your email, files, apps, and servers, planned to minimize downtime.
Microsoft 365 servicesCloud security & compliance
MFA, conditional access, data protection, and compliance-ready configurations.
Cybersecurity servicesManaged cloud services
24/7 monitoring, maintenance, backup, and support for your cloud environment.
Fully managed ITHybrid & multi-cloud
Connect cloud platforms and on-site systems into one secure, well-managed environment.
Cloud infrastructureAI & automation
Put your cloud data to work with Microsoft Copilot and practical business automation.
AI adoption supportHosted infrastructure options
Desktop as a Service
Virtual desktops with dedicated resources and secure remote access.
Remote desktop server
Shared virtual desktops streamed to many users at once.
Application hosting
Run business apps, like accounting or imaging software, in the cloud.
Virtual private cloud
Isolated, scalable infrastructure dedicated to your business.
Backup file server
Redundant cloud storage with file sync and replication.
Virtual appliances
Cloud firewalls, VPN, load balancing, and intrusion detection.
VoIP / PBX server
Hosted phone systems from popular vendors.
Managed WordPress & VPS
Fast, secure hosting for websites and web apps.
Global reach
Data centers around the world
Host your workloads close to your users, with enterprise-grade security and reliability.
North America
- New York
- Virginia
- Georgia
- Texas
- California
- Illinois
- Washington
- Hawaii
- Toronto
- Mexico City
Europe
- United Kingdom
- Netherlands
- France
- Spain
Asia Pacific, Africa & South America
- Singapore
- Japan
- India
- Australia
- Israel
- South Africa
- Brazil
- Chile
Enterprise-grade facilities
Our hosted infrastructure runs in data centers operated by major infrastructure partners, with PCI DSS, SOC 2, and ISO 27001 certifications, encryption, firewalls, and intrusion detection. Choose a region close to your users for speed, or to keep data in a specific country.
Explore cloud infrastructureBenefits
Why businesses move to the cloud
Lower upfront costs
Replace large hardware purchases with a predictable monthly subscription.
Scale on demand
Add users, storage, or computing power in minutes, and scale back when you don't need it.
Work from anywhere
Your team gets secure access to apps and files from any device, in or out of the office.
Resilience & recovery
Redundant data centers and cloud backup keep you running when hardware fails or disaster strikes.
Stronger security
Centralized control, modern identity protection, and continuous monitoring, when configured correctly.
Always up to date
No more server refresh cycles. Providers keep the underlying hardware and platforms current.
Migration
Your path to the cloud
A proven, four-stage approach that keeps your business running throughout the move.
Assess
We inventory your apps, data, and infrastructure and identify what should move, what should stay, and why.
- Application and data review
- Licensing and cost comparison
- Security and compliance needs
Plan
We design the target environment and a migration plan that keeps the business running.
- Cloud roadmap and budget
- Identity and security setup
- Cutover schedule and rollback plan
Migrate
We move email, files, apps, and servers in stages, with minimal disruption to your team.
- Data migration and testing
- User communication and training
- Old systems safely retired
Manage & optimize
After the move, we monitor, secure, back up, and fine-tune your cloud environment.
- 24/7 monitoring and support
- Backup and security reviews
- Ongoing cost optimization
Self-check
Is your business ready for the cloud?
If several of these apply, it's a good time to explore your options.
- Your server is more than 4–5 years old or out of warranty
- Your team needs reliable access from home or on the road
- You're paying for hardware and software you rarely use
- Adding a new employee means buying and configuring equipment
- An office outage would stop the whole business
- You want to use Microsoft Copilot or other AI tools
Microsoft 365 & Cloud Readiness Assessment
15 questions, about 4 minutes. Get an instant score and a prioritized plan for your Microsoft 365 and cloud setup.
Take the assessmentCloud Migration Readiness Checklist
A free PDF to check your apps, data, internet, and plan before you move anything.
Get the checklistFAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is the cloud secure?
Major cloud platforms invest far more in security than most small businesses can. Most cloud breaches come from weak passwords, missing multi-factor authentication, or misconfigured settings, not the platform itself. We lock those down as part of every cloud project.
Doesn't Microsoft back up my Microsoft 365 data?
Microsoft keeps the service running and offers limited retention, but it isn't a true backup. If files are deleted, overwritten, or encrypted by ransomware, you may not be able to get them back. We recommend a separate backup for Exchange, OneDrive, SharePoint, and Teams.
What happens if our internet goes down?
When your apps live in the cloud, your internet connection matters more than ever. We recommend a backup connection with automatic failover, and cloud tools like OneDrive can keep recent files available offline.
Can our existing software run in the cloud?
Usually, yes. Many business apps have cloud versions, and those that don't can often run on a hosted application or remote desktop server. See App Hosting.
Is the cloud cheaper than buying a server?
Often, once you count everything: hardware, software licenses, power, maintenance, backups, and replacing the server every few years. The cloud also turns a large upfront purchase into a predictable monthly cost. We'll compare both options for your situation.
Where is our data stored?
In secure data centers operated by our infrastructure partners and cloud providers. You can choose regions in North America, Europe, and around the world to keep data close to your users or within a specific country.
Can we keep some systems on-site?
Absolutely. A hybrid approach lets you move what benefits most from the cloud first and keep other systems where they are, all managed together.
How disruptive is a cloud migration?
With good planning, very little. We migrate in stages, test before cutover, schedule changes outside business hours when possible, and make sure your team knows what's changing and how to get help.
Get the ultimate value for your business today.
Book a free cloud consultation. We'll review your current setup and map out the smartest next step.