Abstract
The advent of technology has been beneficial in numerous ways to humans. The internet advancement has seen the rise of cloud computing innovation, enabling people and corporations to store and retrieve critical data resources remotely from the cloud network. This has come along with vast merits and also triggered some considerable limitations. This research will evaluate how cloud computing applies to a corporation with its financial implications and threats that could emanate from using this technology. Besides, this report will assess the merits and demerits of cloud computing via a SWOT analysis framework for the sustainability of the technology. Finally, the paper will project the future and viability of cloud resources in an enterprise environment and the conclusion of the research.
Introduction
Cloud computing is a paradigm of computer technology that uses shared computational resources instead of servers located in a physical region or personal devices to run programs. The name “cloud” alludes to the world wide web and the fact that cloud technology relies on a system of corporate networks that are remote rather than on local hardware. Cloud computing enables companies to establish technology-enabled digital services through internet support (“in the cloud”) to enhance business operations, reduce costs, and increase efficiency. Cloud services could store and manage data, design and implement apps, and construct websites and web applications. Cloud computing is a new young notion that is always changing and thus requires the company’s initiatives to keep abreast with the evolving world of technology (Androcec et al., 2012). The current IT infrastructure has limitations in the setting of physical database servers as depicted by the spacial constraints of physical buildings. Besides, the mixture of the Oracle, MySQL, and other non-DB servers has been a challenge because of the different physical machines setting the IT infrastructure. Storage limitation has also been a critical element that has disrupted the growth of the corporation storage structures since the data to be stored keeps on growing continuously.
Basic Capabilities of the Cloud
Cloud computing technology is described as on-demand service access. The technology provides vast capabilities through an internet connection to the computing resources. The technology has vast applications and servers used in data storage and processing. Besides, vast IT tools are provided for networking and network development through remote hosting of services. One of the exceptional services provided by cloud computing platforms is resource pooling technology (Parwekar, 2011). Cloud computing enables people to pool resources remotely without having the physical installation of devices. This is done as per the consumer needs and creates an opportunity for the providers to meet consumer demands with control of information and data with a high degree of abstraction. The corporation using Cloud has the potential to monitor the performance of the server and has vast capabilities of storage over the internet, allowing the corporation to monitor computing performance.
The other fundamental capability attributed to cloud computing is the ease of maintenance. In some circumstances, the cloud servers are simple to operate, and downtime is minimal, if not non-existent. Each time a new version of Cloud Technology is released, it improves progressively. The upgrades are much more compatible with computing nodes, work faster than the conventional versions, and have issues resolved. Besides, there is larger network accessibility when an individual or corporation uses cloud computing resources. With the help of computer nodes and internet access, the consumers can view the Cloud’s data or upload data to the Cloud from everywhere. These potentials are available throughout the connectivity provided over the net. In virtualization technologies, there is also the simplicity of storage services provided in addition to these essential processes. The Cloud’s features can be tailored to the user’s needs and greatly expanded. It evaluates storage utilization and, if necessary, allows the user to purchase more Cloud storage for a modest fee.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Cloud Computing
Advantages of Cloud Computing
The use of cloud computing in contemporary organizations has proved crucial in giving organizations a competitive edge. The virtualization technologies in data storage, automation of tasks, and sharing of resources are among the fundamental pillars of cloud computing that result in enormous merits. The profound merit attributed to cloud computing technology is the decreased costs. Cloud computing technology can benefit businesses, as seen in attempts to conserve money by removing the need for substantial upfront hardware and software expenditures (Sadiku et al., 2014). Furthermore, since cloud computing allows firms to scale up or down their resource utilization as required swiftly, this could help them become more agile and responsive to transitional changes. Cloud computing resources are often defined as pay-as-you-go services. Therefore, corporations benefit and pay for the resources that they use. This results to further flexibility since the corporations can pay for additional services they require in their progressive operations.
Similarly, cloud computing has other substantial benefits in reducing the physical space required for routine operations. The physical space for the server rooms and computing resources is not necessary when using cloud platforms. Besides, this helps enhance disaster recovery since the vital computation resources are shielded from the physical damage that could emanate from a disaster. As a result, this method is seen as enhanced disaster recovery and risk mitigation plan since the emergence of a disaster has less implication on the computing resources, and data backup is retrieved easily. The other remarkable benefit of using the cloud computing platform is increased efficiency. Since cloud computing allows companies to access resources as needed and only pay for what they use, it can help them to enhance their efficacy incorporation functions. Because service providers often have experience in privacy and can offer several encryption techniques, cloud computing enables foster prosperity their protection safeguards availed.
Finally, cloud computing technology has enhanced collaboration. Cloud resources enable people and corporations to access and share data resources within their platforms easily. The excellent data and resource access allow individuals to share and query data seamlessly, provided they are connected to the internet. Mobility is an extra advantage linked to cloud computing, where maintenance costs are reduced. The notion of reliability comes alongside efficiency and the elimination of data redundancy. These are prime merits linked to the use of the Cloud, where data is stored across multiple virtual servers. The up-time guarantee for the cloud services is estimated to be outstanding at a 99.99 % up-time. Finally, corporations can pay for huge data storage options and ensure that crucial data is backed up under required schedules.
Disadvantages of Cloud Computing
Even though cloud computing technology is much praised and has become the deal of the century, several limitations threaten its sustainability. One of the significant challenges that face cloud computing platforms is security concerns. Lately, enormous concerns have been premised on internet privacy and confidentiality issues. Most of the internet resources have been declared good and beneficial in the awakening of the IT era. However, the merits have been challenged by the limitations of a security breach (Dillon et al., 2010). Most of the internet resources have been declared good and beneficial in the awakening of the IT era. However, the merits have been challenged by the limitations of a security breach. However, cloud service providers have been dealing with the threats and are seeking to install robust and rigid security reinforcements to prevent such occurrences.
Alongside the security concern, the use of the Cloud is limited to internet use. As you may be aware, all data (images, audio, video) in cloud computing is transmitted and stored in the Cloud. The implication is that we can only access it via the Cloud via web-based connectivity. It is challenging for unstable network connections to query data from the cloud resources. One is incapable of accessing these files if one does not have strong internet access. Therefore, there are no other means of accessing data stored in the Cloud. The other limitation of cloud computing technology is depicted in vendor lock-in concerns. In a mature business, one is likely to interact with a few well-known companies that provide tried-and-true services. Cloud computing is a nascent sector with many startups vying for customers. It is possible that cloud hosting will struggle financially and shut down permanently (Apostu et al., 2013). The more critical the Cloud is to any company, the more disastrous an unexpected supplier closure will be. The problem is exacerbated by internet vendor lock-in, making switching from one cloud provider to another complicated and costly. Consider it like leasing a storehouse and stocking it with goods. It is a logistical headache to relocate all of that product after being stored inside.
Analysis of Economic Implication
The prime economic impact of implementing the cloud technology is seen in the company’s IT infrastructure development leading to a competitive edge. Cloud computing eliminates the time-consuming and expensive process of assessing and purchasing a piece of new equipment or infrastructure, then evaluating, implementing, and administering it on-site by making almost infinite, cutting-edge computer technology capabilities instantly available. Businesses can pay just for what they use on the internet-based instead of needing to spread the cost of equipment capital expenses over a period (Chen et al., 2016). Such cloud advantages, according to experts, are still viable and appreciated earlier in a company’s current or application lifespan. The Cloud can even make it possible to launch a corporation whenever it would otherwise be impossible.
Business Requirements
The organization will choose the most efficient model that fits its needs based on the corporation’s operations. Platform as a service (termed PaaS) is a service that addresses programmers’ needs by providing a complete method for cost-effective application deployment and management. PaaS provides all the capabilities linked to deploying applications, debugging, development, and design based on the group’s client online services, central database linkage, version control, networking, and configuration and maintenance. The ideal option for the firm is IaaS ( infrastructure as a service). IaaS allows for more efficient operations and good functioning. When the consumer cannot manage the purchase cost and location, the internet offers a multitude of data storage, hardware, networking, and operational equipment. The computing resource provider is primarily accountable for housing all devices and keeping therefore, this will be the ultimate model for the corporation of the case study.
The corporation must also assess its preparedness for the proposed changes and ensure that they are better positioned. The firm must inform all the stakeholders and involved members of the change and prepare them for the new business solution to be executed. Clear understanding and preparation for change are vital since they will prepare all the employees to get prepared for the changes to be executed.
SWOT Analysis
Strengths
The corporation will earn a competitive edge through the efficiency and reliability of the new approach. Flexibility and support of the framework will lead to more merits for the corporation, as depicted in the cost-saving approach and added functional features of the newly executed framework.
Weaknesses
The prime weakness of the IT infrastructure will be security. It is paramount for the firm to develop a rigid security infrastructure to prevent abuse of data stored and transmitted through their networks.
Opportunities
The innovations that emanate from the cloud computing resources, such as automation and virtualization, will help enhance functionality leading to a competitive edge in the marketplace. Further, the High-tech environment will ensure that there are modern solutions provided as per the client’s needs. It is possible to scale the organizational needs and pay for extra services once they are needed with the opportunity of having developers from the cloud platform design better innovative approaches for the corporation’s needs.
Threats
Despite the opportunities and Strengths linked to cloud computing resources, the technology era has enormous Cybercriminals. The issue of data security is a major threat to the approach. Some vast attackers could hijack confidential data in transmission or stored and use it maliciously, leading to lawsuits against the corporation. Besides, migration is a challenge from one platform to the other. Different vendors will have different plans and costs, which might be challenging for the corporation to switch from one vendor.
Conclusion
In summary, the innovation of cloud computing is a vital framework that helps organizations earn a competitive edge by using remote computing resources. Cloud computing is transforming the way contemporary organizations purchase technology. Modern companies can reach the Cloud via various routes, encompassing infrastructure, platforms, and applications offered through internet platforms by cloud providers. Many consumers will be perplexed by the variety of offers and the vocabulary utilized to explain them, and the risks and rewards. Although there are some limitations and threats, research is underway to ensure that the framework remains rigid and sustainable for a better future.
References
Androcec, D., Vrcek, N., & Seva, J. (2012, April). Cloud computing ontologies: A systematic review. Proceedings of the third international conference on models and ontology-based design of protocols, architectures, and services (pp. 9-14).
Apostu, A., Puican, F., Ularu, G. E. A. N. I. N. A., Suciu, G., & Todoran, G. (2013). Study on advantages and disadvantages of Cloud Computing–the advantages of Telemetry Applications in the Cloud. Recent advances in applied computer science and digital services, 2103.
Chen, T., Chuang, T. T., & Nakatani, K. (2016). The perceived business benefit of cloud computing: An exploratory study. Journal of International Technology and Information Management, 25(4), 7.
Dillon, T., Wu, C., & Chang, E. (2010, April). Cloud computing: issues and challenges. In 2010 24th IEEE international conference on advanced information networking and applications (pp. 27-33). Ieee.
Parwekar, P. (2011, September). From internet of things towards cloud of things. In 2011 2nd international conference on computer and communication technology (ICCCT-2011) (pp. 329-333). IEEE.
Sadiku, M. N., Musa, S. M., & Momoh, O. D. (2014). Cloud computing: opportunities and challenges. IEEE potentials, 33(1), 34-36.
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