Virtualization and cloud computing share the same goal—creating useful environments by utilizing abstract resources—as well as many other similarities, making it easy to confuse one from the other. Unfortunately, the confusion can affect your business decisions, that is, you may utilize virtualization instead of cloud computing when your business actually needed the latter. Thus, as a business owner, you must know exactly what both are for to be able to make informed decisions.

Thus, for this entry, we at Amucomp Solutions, as your trusted provider of IT solutions in California, have listed down the ways these two differ and how you can determine which one to use based on your needs.

So, what’s the difference between virtualization and cloud computing?

Virtualization is the technology that powers cloud computing, it is the software that manipulates hardware and allows the creation of multiple simulated environments. On the other hand, cloud and cloud computing are created as a result of employing virtualization; where the cloud is the environment and cloud computing is the service that allows the sharing of computing software, data, and other resources.

There are no true disadvantages between the two—acquiring one IT service in Montebello, California, over the other depends on your current needs. In fact, it is more appropriate to view it as complementing approaches. Businesses that are ready and are looking to expand their scale and service delivery, even temporarily, can turn to cloud computing. Meanwhile, enterprises whose focus is on maximizing their resources and physical on-location hardware can leverage virtualization first.

A quick way to know if you need virtualization over cloud computing and vice versa is by determining the nature of your primary business concerns and the model you’re working on.

Can your company use more of integration and security? Is it running on high capital expenditures (CAPEX) and low operating expenses (OPEX)? Then virtualization would be a good fit. It is also ideal if you are running a small operation and are looking to cut back costs on computing resources and upkeep.

On the other hand, if you are working on an OPEX or an operational expenditures model which typically involves a smaller IT support team and fewer concerns over security, then cloud computing can benefit your business significantly.

Cloud computing is also the ideal choice if you are outsourcing your IT needs and are looking for a quick and easy setup or one that has a pay-as-you-go service to save you money. Moreover, choosing cloud computing allows you to scale your IT capacity by adding and removing services and resources you no longer need or don’t need at the moment.