Cloud Computing Essay

Cloud Computing Essay

Cloud computing is the concept, according to which the programs run and produce results in the window of a standard Web browser on your PC, and all applications and data needed for work are situated on a remote server on the Internet. That is, cloud computing is a hardware and software that is available to the user via the Internet (or LAN) as a service, allowing the use of web-based interface for remote access to the allocation of resources (computing resources, programs and data). The user’s computer acts while an ordinary terminal connected to the Internet. Computers conducting it are called “cloud computers”. In this case, the load between computers that are in the “cloud” are distributed automatically. The simplest example of cloud computing are a p2p-network (peer-to-peer).
The concept of “cloud computing” originated in 1960 when John McCarthy suggested that someday computer calculations will be made with the help of “nation-wide utilities”. Now this technology is evolving. The concept of “cloud computing” is actively used by different companies, for example, Google. The most typical example is the service Google Docs, when you can work with office documents via a browser. In July 2008 the corporation HP, Intel, and Yahoo! announced the creation of a global, encompassing many areas, the open computer lab “Cloud Computing Test Bed” for the development of research and development in the area of ​​cloud computing.
Nowadays many experts believe cloud computing is the new trend in the development of computing technologies, and it may become the next platform for building innovation ecosystem for the development of economic and social infrastructure. According to Jim Tully, vice president and senior analyst at Gartner, in a serious global recession companies will move away from using its own hardware and software toward a service-oriented and cloud computing. After all, it will reduce costs and increase the demand for new IT products, but the growth effect of such technologies will manifest itself only in the long term. (Gartner.com)
The essence of the concept of cloud computing is to provide end users with remote dynamic access to services, computing resources and applications (including operating systems and infrastructure) over the Internet. Development of the host sphere was due to the need for software and digital servicesб which can be managed from within, but that would be at the same time more economical and efficient through economies of scale. Most service providers offer a cloud in the form of VPS-hosting, virtual hosting, and software-as-a-Service (SaaS). Cloud services for a longtime were provided in the form of SaaS, for example, Microsoft Hosted Exchange and SharePoint.
Thus, industry of the cloud computing is growing rapidly and, according to analysts, by 2012 it will account for 9% of all IT spending. In addition, the emphasis in the industry is increasingly shifting from hosting to cloud computing and SaaS.
Cloud computing is an effective tool to increase profits and expand sales channels for independent software vendors (ISV), service providers and VAR-intermediaries (in the form of SaaS). This approach allows to organize a dynamic service, where users can pay on the fact and adjust the volume of its resources according to actual needs without long term commitments. For Hosters cloud computing offers huge growth potential. Also the concept of cloud computing significantly changed the traditional approach to the delivery, management and application integration. Compared with the traditional approach, cloud computing allows you to manage a large infrastructure, serving multiple user groups within a single cloud, but also mean complete dependence on the provider’s of cloud services. (IBM.com)
Cloud computing is used in small business. First of all, for small businesses it is important that the use of cloud-based infrastructure technologies are much cheaper than the management and support of their own physical servers. Licensing model from provider provides lower costs than traditional software. Cloud infrastructure provides small companies with mobility at work. For example, VoIP services based on cloud technologies are cheaper and mobile than a regular phone. The same is applied to applications of Google, through which employees can work with documents simultaneously. For the project management it is possible to use BaseCamp, Apollo and other services. Meetings with colleagues have become easier with the help of services GoToMeeting, Fuze and WebEx. (IBM.com)
Cloud Computing model is particularly attractive for enterprises segment of small and medium-sized businesses and start-up companies, because it allows to significantly reduce investment in technology infrastructure and pay only directly used by information technology. Current users are becoming more mobile, less work in the traditional fixed locations, more on the road, outside the workplace. These users will need new methods of work and communication with managers, contractors, customers, and the possibility of Cloud Computing in this case is difficult to overestimate.
Growth of the market of Cloud Computing services makes them attractive to business leaders, as well as directors of departments of information technology that hopes to move information technology costs from the category of capital in the transaction to be able to respond flexibly and promptly respond to the changing needs of their businesses. This aspect is important and convincing, when approving of the enterprise budgets for information technology. Cost-effectiveness of Cloud Computing as compared to locally used hardware and software (on-premise) is significantly reducing the cost of hardware and software infrastructure and is closely linked with the technological advantages such as high levels of virtualization and scalability. Cloud Computing has the following properties that make up the cost-effectiveness of this model:
– Ensures a faster return on investment compared to traditional information technology;
– Requires no previous capital expenditures;
– Minimizes operating costs;
– Requires less technical resources;
– Provides a more simple level of integration.
Also one of the most important advantages Cloud Computing – regardless of geographic location, both the client and service provider.
Thus, organizations are striving to realize all the potential opportunities through the rapid introduction of advanced business models and reducing the barriers to innovation and the required changes in IT. To achieve these goals requires a new, dynamic model of access to computing resources that would allow the rapid introduction of innovation in areas such as applications, IT services and processes of service delivery.
Pros of Cloud Computing
• Services are paid for-use basis.
• Low fixed monthly payment is determined by the fact that Cloud Computing makes it possible for the economy with an increase inscale (up to millions of users) and inexpensive service (data centerswithout the involvement of human resources).
• No upfront investment in IT, which is especially important for small and medium-sized businesses, as well as startup companies.
• No need to install and maintain servers, install software updates or worry about the compatibility of software and hardware.
• No need to manage software licenses.
• There are opportunities for easy expansion to serve more users orthe introduction of additional services – or clotting, such as the holiday season.
• Ability to access documents and functions from any computer without being tied to a specific system.
• Easy integration into existing computing environment of the organization.
Cons in using cloud computing:
• Data protection laws require the control of personal data and restrict the movement of such data outside the country.
• Availability is not guaranteed – a few cloud-suppliers involved in the process, there are various guarantees continuity of service, different values ​​of operating time to failure and time of data recovery. This means that the services are unreliable for critical applications.
• Confidentiality is a major concern, as criminals, spies and government agencies can easily get the data if they are stored outside the organization;
• Difficult to maintain compliance with laws and regulations. For example, the service provider can transfer data to another country, where cheaper electricity, but laws are less strict.
The example is the company IBM. IBM has its own experience in
deployment of Cloud Computing Centers in different parts of the world, including Dublin (Ireland), Beijing (China), Johannesburg (South Africa), Tokyo (Japan), and other cities. Over recent years, IBM in the interests of different clients provided hosting cloud services to “enterprise class” by its offer of IBM Computing on Demand (CoD). In addition, IBM is able to meet the needs of any company, regardless of its size, with such decisions as IBM Arsenal Digital Solutions, which provide services for information protection. Also, customers can try an IBM pilot program Bluehouse, which is an innovative and powerful set of intuitive business applications on the basis of cloud technology. (IBM.com)