Question

Cloud Computing

In your chapter 5 reading assignment, you will learn all about the components of a traditional information technology infrastructure. This includes all the equipment, beyond your desktop or laptop computer, which allows you to communicate and share information with others. Some of this equipment includes cables, servers, network devices, telecommunications lines, data storage systems, and other devices. Many of these components are usually found behind the scenes in a data center.

There has been a developing trend in computing called “Cloud Computing.” As the text defines it, cloud computing is a service whereby organizations obtain their computer power and software applications via the internet. In other words, rather than investing in building an information systems infrastructure, some organizations have chosen to “rent” it from an outside company. In this case, the equipment sits in the “cloud” at the service provider’s data center. Amazon.com is an example of an outside company that offers cloud computing service. In fact, they are one of the major players in this space. You may have also heard of a company called Salesforce.com which is another big player in this arena.

Some questions to ponder (remember to post references):

1) Do you think cloud computing can still be considered an "emerging" technology or has it gone mainstream? Why?

2) What are some of the risks and benefits of “cloud” computing?

3) What types of organizations do you think can benefit most from this offering?

4) Why would a company like Amazon.com or Salesforce.com venture into this business?

5) What do you think the future holds for cloud computing?

Answer 1

1) First Question

Yes cloud computing is still an emerging technology.

The cloud makes it possible for you to access your information from anywhere at any time.

While a traditional computer setup requires you to be in the same location as your data storage device.

The cloud removes the need for you to be in the same physical location as the hardware that stores your data. Economically, the main appeal of cloud computing is that users only pay for what they actually use.

Resources are available to be accessed from the cloud at any time, and from any location via the internet.

There’s no need to worry about how things are being maintained behind the scenes.

Because of this, cloud computing has also been called “Utility Computing” or “IT on demand”

Cloud Computing will lead to increase in the following categories:

1.Virtualization

2.Standardization

3.Scalability

This technology gone to mainstream

Because,

The Cloud has become mainstream for enterprise computing, and despite some valid concerns about security of data storage in the Cloud, many contend that web services are perhaps more secure and redundant than data sitting on a server or laptop.

One of the primary reasons for this growth is that working in the Cloud allows a company to be nimble, efficient, and cost-effective.

Some reasons or characteristics of cloud became the mainstream are

1.Cost- effective

2. Flexible

3. Automatic software update

4. Security

5. Mobility

2) Second question

Risks of cloud computing

1. Network Dependency

Cloud computing is dependent on the internet.

The most basic drawback of cloud computing is that you need internet connection to access the cloud and this direct tie to the internet means that this system is prone to outages and service interruptions at any time.

This could occur in the middle of a task or transaction, meaning the action could be delayed or lost entirely if time sensitive.

2. Centralization

Organizations usually outsource data and application services to a centralized provider.

In cloud computing, we know that network dependency is a drawback due to outages.

Centralized data can certainly add another risk to cloud computing.

If the provider’s service goes down, all clients are affected.

3.Data integrity

There is already a huge risk with data hosted in-house, so it’s no secret that data offsite sits at even higher risk.

With Data offsite, more avenues for attack and the fact that it will be traveling more makes it easier to be intercepted.

With technology always improving, there are ways to make sure of better encryption.

However with technology always improving, there are always people out there improving their hacking skills.

Benefits of cloud computing

1.Reduced costs

Moving to cloud computing may reduce the cost of managing and maintaining your IT systems.

Rather than purchasing expensive systems and equipment for your business, you can reduce your costs by using the resources of your cloud computing service provider.

You may be able to reduce your operating costs because:

• the cost of system upgrades, new hardware and software may be included in your contract
• you no longer need to pay wages for expert staff
• your energy consumption costs may be reduced
• there are fewer time delays.

2.Scalability

Your business can scale up or scale down your operation and storage needs quickly to suit your situation, allowing flexibility as your needs change.

Rather than purchasing and installing expensive upgrades yourself, your cloud computer service provider can handle this for you.

Using the cloud frees up your time so you can get on with running your business.

3.Business continuity

Protecting your data and systems is an important part of business continuity planning.

Whether you experience a natural disaster, power failure or other crisis, having your data stored in the cloud ensures it is backed up and protected in a secure and safe location.

Being able to access your data again quickly allows you to conduct business as usual, minimising any downtime and loss of productivity.

4.Collaboration efficiency

Collaboration in a cloud environment gives your business the ability to communicate and share more easily outside of the traditional methods.

If you are working on a project across different locations, you could use cloud computing to give employees, contractors and third parties access to the same files.

You could also choose a cloud computing model that makes it easy for you to share your records with your advisers (e.g. a quick and secure way to share accounting records with your accountant or financial adviser).

5.Flexibility of work practices

Cloud computing allows employees to be more flexible in their work practices. For example, you have the ability to access data from home, on holiday, or via the commute to and from work (providing you have an internet connection).

If you need access to your data while you are off-site, you can connect to your virtual office, quickly and easily.

6.Access to automatic updates

Access to automatic updates for your IT requirements may be included in your service fee.

Depending on your cloud computing service provider, your system will regularly be updated with the latest technology. This could include up-to-date versions of software, as well as upgrades to servers and computer processing power.

3) Third Question

The types of companies benefit the cloud computing offer

1. Marketing Groups. Marketing groups are oftentimes one of the most misunderstood industries out there.
2. Shared Office Space Leasing Companies.
3. Data Security Firms.
4. Global Corporations.
5. Accountancies.
6. Hotels
7. Education

4) Fourth Question

Amazon cloud name is amazon web services (aws).

Developing, managing, and operating your applications requires a wide variety of technology services.

Customers often ask us what represents a fully-functional, flexible technology infrastructure platform.

Below, we outline requirements for a modern, robust, industry-leading technology infrastructure platform with all the benefits that the cloud brings to bear.

Samesforce.com

Salesforce.com uses cloud computing by providing customer relationship management (CRM) and other application software solutions in the form of software as a service leased over the Internet, as opposed to software bought and installed on machines locally.

With cloud computing, businesses access applications via the internet.

Salesforce is the leader in cloud computing, offering applications for all aspects of your business, including CRM, sales, ERP, customer service, marketing automation, business analytics, mobile application building, and much more.

5) Fifth Question

Future the cloud computing may holds

Cloud industry has developed over the past few decades and has now become a crucial part of every business organization, enterprise, and company.

Considering the rapid surge and increased adaption of cloud computing, many companies and organizations are now hastening to take the cloud expedition.

According to Gartner, the cloud revenue is expected to grow up to a solid 17.3% in 2019 which make it the fastest growing industry of this highly-technologized era and business sector.

Apart from the business and marketing world, the importance of cloud computing is quite inevitable in our everyday lives. From providing the best breed of innovative software, data authentication and integrity to improved socializing and bank accounts management methods, its increasing imperativeness can be recognized from these listed reasons:

• From automated server maintenance to bug fixes, cloud helps in freeing up your IT staff from spending time such ordinary tasks.
• Virtualization of the network ensures accessibility and availability of information at all times.
• From auto-updates of software to file synchronization d backups, cloud computing ensures improved storage capacity and faster automation.
• Providing you with increased adaptability, it offers boundless virtual server and storage capacity.
• From reducing the cost of business operations and ownership to saving a huge amount of your budget on external storage resources and servers purchases, cloud computing enables you to pay only for the resources and applications that are useful for you

A company offering reliable cloud technology allows for computing to be done in a much more shared way, as a cloud provides a service rather than a product. Users get and share their information in a way that can allow them to access and give access to the whole world or any groups of people within their cloud.