Cloud Computing : A Research And Commercial Viewpoint

The focus of cloud computing is providing with scalable and a cheap on-demand computing infrastructure with a good quality of service levels. The process of the cloud computing involves a set of network enabled services that can be accessed in a simple and general way. Cloud computing provides with a unique value proposition for any organization to outsource their information and communication technology infrastructure. Moreover, the concept itself provides with a value proposition for an organization as using the cloud saves on cost, resources, and staff, and business opportunities for the organization (Katzan). An extensive connectivity of

This research paper tackles the issues that faces Cloud Computing today and gives the experts and industry’s point of view on the matter. The aspects explored are the significant industry questions that have risen about the use of Cloud Computing, business value, organization impact, adaptability, limitations, initial cost of implementation, and the severe business security risks

SaaS – Software as a Service – Users on the service are given access to the application’s software and databases, cloud providers manage the infrastructure and platforms that run the application. “On demand”.

The report discusses such aspects of cloud computing as its characteristics, deployment models and service models as well as the drivers and challenges of cloud adoption. It also summarizes key differences between cloud computing and traditional IT environments.

Initially, we will describe what cloud computing covers and its various models. Then, we will analyse the benefits of cloud computing, explaining the success of this model.

By 2020, Forbes (McKendrick, 2012) has estimated that the cloud market will be worth $270 billion; this suggests that the market is expanding rapidly and users are becoming more aware of this feature. Many people, though, still ponder over the exact purpose of cloud computing: Cloud computing is a group of offline servers that are networked together to allow data to be stored centrally. For example, Drop box is an established cloud storage company that allows users to store documents, images and videos on their servers. This type of cloud computing is known as ‘Software-as-a-Service’, which are business applications that are hosted by the provider and delivered as a service (Hurwitz, 2010). Hurwitz also mentions two other types of cloud computing: ‘Platform as a Service (PaaS)’ and ‘Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)’. ‘Platform as a service’ is where the consumer will create an application, using tools and software from the provider, then the provider will administer the consumer with networks, storage and servers. ‘Infrastructure’ as a service is where the provider will provide the consumer with physical computer or virtual machine.

This report will be exploring what cloud computing is, the usages of cloud computing, a comparison of organisations that offer cloud services and their architectures, an explanation on how a typical software company may benefit from having a cloud implementation, a description of a challenge that cloud computing has in research and a description of a challenge in a commercial adaptation in connection to cloud computing.

What is cloud computing? Cloud computing is a new process of managing, storing, and accessing data and programs over the internet instead of through a local computer hard drive or office network. (Griffith, 2016). A newer process developed in the early 2000’s to better help organizations as technology continues to evolve. Cloud computing is having the ability to access your information through an internet connection from anywhere at any time (Griffith, 2016). Of course, as with most all technology there are many advantages as well as disadvantages. Throughout this paper we will look at some of the top advantages and disadvantages that come with the process of utilizing cloud computing.

Despite its growing importance and necessities, cloud computing has several drawbacks and disadvantages. People need to think twice when it comes to cloud computing. They need to ask themselves questions like whether it is convenient or not, whether it is right or not, whether it is safe or not. No doubt that everyone is getting into it, but still there are several factors that have to be considered like:

SAAS (Software as a service) - Allows users to run existing online applications. Off-the-shelf applications are accessed via internet.

Cloud computing is one of the newest major evolutions in the technology industry. It is a paradigm where computing resources become available at any time, from anywhere just having an Internet connection. The cloud eliminates the need to be physically close to the hardware containing the data user wants to obtain. It can own both hardware and software necessary to run business applications. Cloud service also reduces costs for a company, by excluding the need to buy additional servers and memory storages. Furthermore, because this method of computing uses the pay-as-you-go payment method, it charges organisation based on the usage. This means that business can purchase more space or reduce their subscription as it is required

Public cloud service is a service that is open to anyone who has access to Internet is a potential user. Public cloud service can be further divided into application, platform and infrastructure. Software as service (SAAS) “transfer programs to millions of users through browser. In the user 's views, this can save some cost on servers and software. In the provider 's views, they only need to maintain one program, this can also save cost” (Wang, June 2011). Google Apps and Zoho offices

This type of cloud computing offers applications over the internet via the browser. The most popular SaaS business applications are Google G Suite and Microsoft Office 365. Other popular cloud services are Salesforce, enterprise applications, ERP suites from Oracle and SAP.

SaaS means Software as a Service and includes email, virtual desktops, and games (Mell and Grance 2011, pg. 2). SaaS gives businesses the ability to deliver software over the Internet in real time. SaaS is also pay per use and allows for minimal upfront costs (Microsoft Azure). The service provider is responsible for managing underlying infrastructure, middleware, application software, and data. SaaS is beneficial in that the enterprise can rent sophisticated applications with minimal cost and maintenance (Microsoft Azure). SaaS also features similar benefits as IaaS and PaaS.

Cloud computing interestingly offers several types of services which can be provisioned by cloud providers. The offered cloud services by providers are apparently categorized into three main ones according to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) [1] and they are as follows: