Computing Position Paper : Cloud Computing

The need for sharing of resources, having an online backup storage system as well as providing an online efficient environment for businesses gave rise to the discovery of the clouds. Cloud computing is thus the latest technology in both the technological sector and the business sector. It refers to Cloud computing for example, provides an online platform upon which individuals and businesses can store and retrieve their information effectively when connected to the internet. It thus saves on the costs that could have otherwise been used for the purchase of additional storage devices. There is no worries of how the online documents will open up because cloud computing comes with online document reading software such as Google docs. The

Cloud computing is a fast growing information technology trend that many companies including Google, Microsoft, and IBM are currently looking to get a stake in as demand for the service grows. Cloud computing is the concept of allowing both individuals and businesses to store data and applications on remote servers (owned and operated by a third party company), rather than on their own hard drives and data centers. The service boasts the ability to securely access data and applications from just about any device with an internet connection, allowing for such services as streaming music from a personal collection from multiple devices, and even to business

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

Cloud computing has set a trend in the information technology arena that has sparked the interest of all who utilize the internet on purpose and unsuspectingly. Initially, the primary purpose of cloud computing was to provide a centralized data bank that organizations could use for quick data access. Its use has been quickly adapted, however, beyond business use to become the first option for personal use. The advantages and disadvantages of implementing such a shift from business to personal are varied, yet, statistically, according to the CISCO Global Cloud Index: Forecast and Methodology, 2014-2019 White Paper, its public use is on the rise. The report notes that “by 2019, 56 percent of the cloud workloads will be in public cloud data centers, up from 30 percent in 2014 and by 2019, 44 percent of the cloud workloads will be in private cloud data centers, down from 70 percent in 2014”. Though disadvantages with regard to data security is prominent, users have deemed that its implementation will still promote greater benefits than loss.

This paper was prepared for Social Issues in Computing, CSCE 4010, Section 1, taught by Ian Brooks.

Cloud computing is an emerging model where users can gain access to their applications from anywhere through their connected devices. A simplified user interface makes the infrastructure supporting the applications transparent to users. The applications reside in massively-scalable data centers where compute resources can be dynamically provisioned and shared to achieve significant economies of scale. A strong service management platform results in near-zero incremental management costs when more IT resources are added to the cloud. The proliferation of smart mobile devices, high speed wireless connectivity, and rich browser-based Web 2.0 interfaces has made the network-based cloud computing model not only practical but

(3) Web Services in the Cloud - instead of delivering full applications, this service allows users to access APIs for added functionality.

One of the main benefits of cloud computing is that the company’s resources are used in other different ways and reduce the overall costs. It eliminates the need for a physical hardware computer and replace it with an online storage or a software delivered over the internet. For instance, government agencies are shifting its government IT infrastructure into the cloud and launch mobile and e-services for citizens and businesses. As an example of cloud applications in some countries: In China a company named Wang Fu Jing has deployed cloud services to share supply chain information and implement B2B e-commerce with suppliers (Kshetri, N. ,2011). Another example is in South Korea: IBM’s cloud computing centre provides architecture, skills and pilot projects for banking, telecommunications, and IT hosting services (Kshetri, N. ,2011). An Indian bank named ICICI’s uses Zoho’s applications to develop services such as personalised insurance for diabetes (Kshetri, N. ,2011). Cloud computing offers many services to companies and government agencies; applications, operating systems and data are secured in the cloud environment rather than on a physical computer that is exposed to the risk of lost, stolen or hardware failure. Compared to client-based computing, cloud-based software is easier to install, maintain and upgrade. Furthermore, mobile applications based on cloud computing are becoming increasingly popular. Ericsson estimates that there

Whether it’s called Cloud Computing or On-demand Computing, Software as a Service, or the Internet as Platform, the common element is a shift in the geography of computation. When you create a spreadsheet with the Google Docs service, major components of the software reside on unseen computers, whereabouts unknown, possibly scattered across continents. This affects all levels of the computational ecosystem, from casual user to software developer, IT manager, even hardware manufacturer. Recently, a lot of vendors have started talking about “cloud computing” in their marketing materials. Citing a research published by Merrill Lynch entitled “The Cloud Wars: $100+ billion at stake,” Merrill Lynch has estimated a $160- billion addressable market opportunity, including $95- billion in business and productivity applications, and another $65-billion in online advertising for Cloud Computing. But the main question is whether the users are ready to give up using services on their local machines and shift to the Cloud since shifting to cloud computing has both advantages and disadvantages for all possible users; nevertheless, they may have different level of importance for different users

Cloud computing is the answer for “affordable” business technology platforms. It is a more affordable solution for media content than any other medium, and this is why Netflix, Amazon.com, and Apple are among the leaders in cloud usage and development. Ultimately cloud computing will be the primary way data services are accessed by businesses and consumers alike. Marston, Li, Bandyopadhyay, Zhang, and Ghalsasi 2009 conclude cloud computing offers companies the opportunity to deploy cutting edge IT services without the enormous upfront costs that deter so many organizations from making the investment in infrastructure. Now that affordable solutions are becoming more readily available it is likely that more small and

Cloud computing has been the hottest buzzword in recent years and is continually to be one of the most popular felids in which not only IT industry but other industries like commence, geosciences, education, etc are interested and where hundreds of millions of dollars flood into. The whole term “cloud computing” is first introduced to the public media by Google ex-CEO Eric Schmidt on Search Engine Strategies Conferences in 2006 (Schmidt 2006). The generally accepted definition of cloud computing is developed by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST):

Cloud computing is revolutionizing the use software globally at a very rapid pace as it is completely redefining the economics of how software is purchased and used. Web 2.0 technologies and their underlying design precepts are responsible for the current and future generations of social networks (Bernoff, Li, 2008). Both have immediate and significant impacts on the operations of businesses and the major contributions each makes are explained in this analysis.

Services such as, data storage and security, are provided by cloud computing over the internet. In cloud computing, users can pay for what they consume (Bisong & Rahman, An Overview of the Securtiy Concerns in Enterprise Cloud Computing, 2011). Cloud computing is an emerging information technology, which can make it easier for the users to manage their data. Cloud computing allows businesses to expand as new cloud-based models are being discussed and implemented as solutions (Bamiah & Brohi, 2011).

The word "cloud" is used to represent the internet and other communications systems. Cloud computing is the result of an evolution of the widespread adoption of virtualization, service-oriented architecture, autonomic, and utility computing in the past, telecommunications companies mainly gave simply dedicated, point-to-point data circuits to their users. Starting from the 1990's, virtual private network services was included in their contributions. It made the telecommunication companies offer equally improved services whereby cutting down on cost as well as using resources effectively.

Cloud computing is a topic of which much is assumed. The average person recognizes the term “cloud computing” as having to do with their storage from their iPad or iPhone on the online storage area which syncs their Apple devices to their computer. This common cloud is called the iCloud. That is where common knowledge ends about this topic. However, upon further exploration, a deeper understanding is gained with greater explanation, and it is realized that cloud computing is something that is used all of the time on many levels of everyday technology. While the terminology remains cryptic to the mind of most people, the concepts behind the practical uses of cloud computing become quite clear. It is relatable and understandable. Upon this revelation, the iCloud is recognized as the tip of the preverbal iceberg when speaking about cloud computing. It is important to discuss and further understand the many types of cloud computing as well as the various applications to life through technology. This affects how information is stored online, computers are protected, information is secured, emails are processed, and many other factors that are taken for granted in the world of technology. Cloud computing is a general term used to describe how information is stored, utilized, and accessed over the internet. There is no cloud, but the word cloud gives the connotation of an abstract place which is known to exist but is too vast to touch or contain (Griffith,