What impact does latency have on cloud services?

Latency refers to the time it takes for data to travel from one point to another across a network. In the context of cloud services, high latency can significantly delay data communication. This delay can lead to slower response times for applications, which may affect user experience, particularly in real-time applications such as video conferencing, online gaming, or live data processing.

When latency is high, users may experience lag, causing frustration and potential loss of productivity. Applications that rely on quick data retrieval and processing are particularly impacted by latency, as any delay can hinder the overall performance and efficiency of these services. Thus, understanding the implications of latency is critical for designing and optimizing cloud services for end-users.