Week 7 – E-Procurement
November 7, 2008Cloud computing is a computing pattern, which is accessed over a network and assigns different tasks, software, services and combination of connections. Network of connections and servers is jointly known as “the cloud”. The term cloud is used as a metaphor.
Super computer-level power can be assed using computing at the scale of the clouds. The resources within these clouds can allow users to see the information they want, as and when they require it. (E.g. laptop, iPhone, Blackberry). This may also be described as “on demand computing”.
Enormous amounts of data can often be sorted out using cloud computing (made up of thousands of servers, based in data centre). Cloud computing is more or less buzzwords, which are used to repackage utility computing and grid computing.
Cloud computing also allows companies and users to pay for service and storage that they require and when they require it.
There are companies out there who provide business solutions to large corporations; this is the likes of SAP. SAP basically would host an individual company’s data such as Argos in their data SAP centre. Basically there job is to provide Argos with software applications, which would link the company to their data. Argos use the SAP customer ordering system this may also be known as SAPCO and is used both online through the website and in store.
The biggest cloud network that most people would know and use is windows live services including e-mail, instant messaging and storage.
Benefits of cloud computing
Basically you do not have to maintain infrastructure for any applications. This saves electricity costs and labour costs. Another great advantage being you can access an application wherever you go and on the move. Companies either big or small have no need to buy individual servers for any new software applications. Servers will prove to run more efficient as memory is distributed throughout the cloud network. Cloud computing is much more useful/beneficial toward large organisations/companies, which are required to process a vast amount of computer related power. In saying that it can be used in a much smaller scale (individual) to access the likes of Windows Live features.
More benefits include
- Free up Internal Resources
- Easily Implemented, without need of purchasing hardware or software licences
- Scalability, enormous and organisations can add and subtract capacity as the network loads dictates
- Quality of service, vendor can provide 24/7 customer support and offer immediate responses in emergency situations
- Skilled Practitioners, vendors are reputable and offer customer reliable service
- Security, improved die to data be centralised, but in return raises concern over loss of control around sensitive data
- Performance is consistent and monitored
Problems of cloud computing
- Depending on application or the vendor, you are always dependent on others keeping data intact and application functional.
- Application changes may happen either without your consent or knowledge, therefore there is a security risk of personal data be lost or stolen. Basically the data is in the hands of a 3rd party resulting in not directly in the user/owners hands.
- Cloud computing requires an Internet connection and sometimes signal may be weak and can cause problems within/throughout applications.
- I do not like the fact that your personal data may be stored in file severs in one country and processed by severs in another, perhaps even at the other side of the world (worldwide). Can be affected by bandwidth being insufficient or even a high network load.
http://www.wikinvest.com/concept/Cloud_Computing
http://www.webhostingunleashed.com/features/cloud-computing-benefits/
http://www.zenofnptech.org/2008/08/what-is-cloud-computing.html
