In the context of cloud computing, what does scalability refer to?

In cloud computing, scalability primarily refers to the ability of a system to increase or decrease its resources in response to varying workload demands. This characteristic is crucial for dynamic environments where user traffic can fluctuate significantly. For instance, during peak times, a cloud service can allocate additional computational resources to maintain performance and ensure that users experience minimal delays. Conversely, during times of low demand, resources can be scaled back, which helps to optimize costs.

This flexibility in resource management allows organizations to efficiently handle changes in workload without the need for manual intervention or over-provisioning, which is a hallmark of traditional, on-premises infrastructure. Scalability is a fundamental advantage of cloud services, enabling businesses to grow and adapt quickly to market conditions without the burden of physical limitations.