Cloud Provider

Definition - What does Cloud Provider mean?

A cloud provider is a company that delivers cloud computing based services and solutions to businesses and/or individuals. This service organization may provide rented and provider-managed virtual hardware, software, infrastructure and other related services. Cloud services are becoming increasingly desirable for companies because they offer advantages in terms of cost, scalability and accessibility.

A cloud provider is also known as a utility computing provider. This role is typically related to that of a managed service provider (MSP), but usually, the latter provides other managed IT solutions.

Techopedia explains Cloud Provider

Cloud providers are generally organizations that provide some form of IT infrastructure that is commercially distributed and sourced across several subscribers - typically businesses. Cloud providers deliver cloud solutions through on-demand, pay-as-you-go systems as a service to customers and end users. Cloud provider customers access cloud resources through Internet and programmatic access and are only billed for resources and services used according to a subscribed billing method.

Depending on the business model, a cloud provider may provide various solutions, such as:

  • Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): May include virtual servers, virtual storage and virtual desktops/computers
  • Software as a Service (SaaS): Delivery of simple to complex software through the Internet
  • Platform as a Service (PaaS): A combination of IaaS and SaaS delivered as a unified service
A cloud provider also may be classified as a public cloud provider, private cloud provider, hybrid cloud provider or community cloud provider.
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