A cloud-based service is a resource, application or IT as a service provided over the internet, or cloud, via third party and IT service providers. These services can be accessed across dedicated networks, public, private and hybrid clouds, often with payment based on usage. Cloud-based services range from full applications to virtual desktops and are designed to be consumed in an affordable and flexible manner, without the need for internal hardware or infrastructure.

Cloud computing is a style of computing in which scalable and elastic IT-enabled capabilities are delivered as a service using internet technologies. Simply put, cloud computing is the delivery of computing services—including servers, storage, databases, networking, software, analytics and intelligence—over the cloud to offer faster innovation, flexible resources and economies of scale. Most cloud computing services fall into four broad categories: infrastructure as a service (IaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), serverless and software as a service (SaaS).

Industry cloud refers to specialized vertical cloud solutions tailored to meet the unique requirements of a particular industry. Unlike general-purpose cloud services, industry cloud platforms are designed to address the specific needs, regulatory requirements and business processes unique to sectors such as healthcare, finance, manufacturing and retail.