Property Control Application - Mobile App Using Cloud Computing for the Estate Agencies - Research Proposal Example

Property Control Application: Mobile Application Using Cloud Computing and its Benefits to the E Agencies Program Supervisor June 11, 2015 Property Control Application: Mobile Application Using Cloud Computing and its Benefits to the Estate Agencies Introduction Aims and Objectives Management and analysis of data is a challenge, especially to small and middle-sized enterprises such as estate agencies. This study aims at developing a mobile or web cloud application for estate agencies in Coventry city. Results of the study are significant to the target the agencies because it promises affordable and effective technology for decision-making. In addition, results will improve academic knowledge on IT applications for small and middle-sized enterprises. Intended user and their Needs Estate agencies in Coventry city are the target users. Their operational environment faces Information Technology (IT) challenges such as complexity, high maintenance cost, and Information Technology infrastructures and platforms. In addition, IT, information, and other technologies are experiencing rapid growth that requires new approaches to information management. The application addresses the issues and promises a fast and cost effective approach to data management. Systems Requirement and Deliverables Information technology is the basis of data management and data analysis for effective decisions in organizations and cloud computing that involves information sharing over the internet promises to solve many challenges that data management has faced (Lucio 2013, p. 146; Halpert 2011, n.p.), especially due to differences in geographical location of data centres or use of multiple data centres. It offers real time access to data and promotes efficiency in communication of data and associated analyses, especially in areas of dependence. Box, a mobile Android application that allows users to share files within the application and externally is proposed for estate agencies in Coventry city. The application also allows users to monitor access to files and this safeguards the security interest. Alternatively, a Google application with Cloud SQL will be created for application in the study. Application process will involve identification of Google Cloud services, review of property management database, use of Mobile Developer Tools, development of prototype of mobile application, and use of selected application for analysis. Literature Review Cloud computing is one of the contemporary technology innovations and has been popular, especially in terms of awareness, because of its advantages to users. One of the major advantages of cloud computing is its cost effectiveness through economic use of human and financial resources. Duration of CPU usage and storage capacity are some of the areas that benefit from cloud computing features and translates to lower cost. Data is stored in the internet and this saves users from the need to purchase and maintain hard drives for data storage. Similarly, service providers offer maintenance services to save users the cost and time of managing involved software. Compared to traditional data management tools that also required installation of necessary devices before managing databases, cloud computing is flexible and allows a user to install applications when need arises. This further identifies cost efficiency because data management is possible even in the absence of tools that would otherwise be necessary. Other benefits of cloud computing are safety of data, scalability, and accessibility (Han 2010, p. 90). Offering an application that can promote use of cloud computing among estate agencies will, therefore, promote realization of the benefits, especially with improved accessibility of cloud computing. Feasible application of the device would improve access because of the small size of phones that allows for greater portability. In investigating benefits of the application among estate agencies, the study will promote professionalism through the agencies’ use of modern technology and advance knowledge on wider applications of cloud computing towards greater benefits such as lower cost and higher convenience of cloud computing. Application of cloud computing in large scale organizations have identifies the benefits and validates the expectations. The Commonwealth Bank of Australia adopted cloud computing based on these, among other factors. Significance of variable costs, instead of fixed costs that are characteristic of traditional data management tools, influenced the bank’s decision to adopt cloud. Competition in the market that moderates cost is another significant factor to application of the cloud and increased products types among the target agencies, through the application, is likely to increase competition among cloud computing brands and lower prices. Identification of the application’s benefits that could facilitate its usage and the resultant greater cost effectiveness will therefore add to the existing literature on cost benefits of cloud computing and promote usage, especially among small agencies that have not adopted cloud computing due to cost constraints. Implementing the study among small-scale organizations and a specific industry is also likely to promote usage in the industry through promoted awareness (Schlagwein, Thorogood, & Willcocks 2014, p. 213). Despite the benefits of cloud computing, many small and middle scale businesses have not implemented it and limitations of the popular brands of cloud applications could explain this. Many of the class of organizations have not implemented cloud computing in Ireland, an observation that could be possible in other countries. The organizations recognize benefits of cloud computing but more than 50 percent have not implemented cloud applications in any of their applications (Carcary, Doherty, & Conway 2013, p. 12). This suggests that only a small percent of the organizations have implemented cloud applications in their systems to realize the benefits. In addition, many of the organization that have adopted cloud computing did not evaluate their position before adoption. Consequently, cloud computing among estate agencies and other small and middle-sized enterprises may exist as traditional applications and fail to offer their optimal benefits. Identification of exact needs for cloud computing, plan for implementation, and plan for selection of service providers are some of the areas that the organizations ignore when implementing cloud computing (Carcary, Doherty, & Conway 2014, p. 5, 6). Introducing a cloud tool to the organization and ensuring awareness of the tool’s properties and its suitability for the organization is therefore likely to promote strategic adoption for optimal benefits. The literature further casts doubt on suggested benefits of cloud computing on businesses because such benefits could be theoretical and not practical. With awareness of the proposed application and subsequent informed approach to implementation, developed knowledge on speed and effectiveness of the application will validate existing literature and promote cloud computing among the agencies and even among large-scale organization. According to a study by Sahandi, Alkhalil, & Opara-Martins (2012, p. 190, 191), SMEs have positive attitudes towards cloud computing but such factors as vendor lock-in and security concerns remains barriers to adoption of the technology. Availability of data on the web has advantages but also identifies security concerns and together with fear of control over data undermines usage. Durao, Carvalho, Fonseka, & Garcia (2014, p. 1328) support existence of concerns that discourage possible implementation of cloud computing among organizations and that could be applicable to SMEs. Security of data was one of the authors’ identified concerns, it is consistent with the concern among SMEs in the United Kingdom, and establishes reliability. In addition, the authors identify need for further development in cloud computing that could overcome the barriers to implementation in organizations. Focusing this on SMEs in the United Kingdom suggests ability to promote application of cloud computing among small and medium sized organizations such as estate agencies towards full benefits of technology. An alternative approach of cloud computing, such as the proposed mobile application that offers consumers independence in their cloud application, is likely to resolve the possible concerns and improve rate of implementation. Creation of a prototype, one of the possible features of the application, offers autonomy in data management through independence in development of a cloud system. Resolving the barriers to promote use and investigating attitudes towards the new model of cloud application will also identify new barriers to application that the current literature has not identified. Existing literature identifies knowledge of benefits of cloud computing and limitations of the application that has undermined its use among SMEs and even large-sized organizations. With the aim of investigating possible effects of a new application among SMEs, the study offers a basis for validating existing knowledge on perceived effects of cloud computing and limitations, identifying possible new benefits and limitations, and promoting use of cloud computing among estate agencies in Coventry city, a subset of SMEs. Research Methodology Research Techniques Rational unified process methodology is proposed for the study (Schwalbe 2013, p. 90). The need to investigate opinions on cloud technology across a transition and to develop a technology that will be compatible with needs and competencies of the selected organization supports the methodology. Data will be collected for developing knowledge on incident opinions to the application. Needs and competencies of the agency will be the focus of research in order to inform features of the target product and involving the agency through the rational unified process approach will ensure a tailored application for the agency. Convenience sampling approach is proposed for the study (Jackson 2015, p. 98, 99). The approach is economical and time saving. An estate agency, selected because of its ability to corporate in the study and accessibility, will be will be used for the study. An agency that shall have used the proposed application prior to the study will be disqualified in order to eliminate possible maturation confound. Google form will be the data collection instrument. The instrument is cost effective to produce and disseminate as just a single soft copy is generated and is shared with all research participants. Email will be used for sending the questionnaires to participants because of associated cost effectiveness. Convenience also informed selection of online questionnaires because likely effects in promoting response. Data Collection A list of estate agencies will be obtained from the city’s business register and names of the agencies shuffled. Convenience of the agencies will be analyzed and the most convenient selected. The manager of the selected agency will be contacted, scope and potential benefits of the study explained, and informed consent sought. Upon receipt of consent, contact with the entity’s branches will then be sought. Contact with a sample of branch IT representatives, landlords, and tenants will then be made and scope of the study explained to them. The questionnaires will then be sent and a two-week period be allowed for response. Awareness on possible application features will then be created through a pamphlet and the particiants encouraged to critique the features and make recommendations. Data will then be collected one month after the awareness. Proposed Analytical Techniques Participants will rate usage of cloud computing, speed, effectiveness, and limitation, of currently applied technology, on a scale of one to tem where one represents least significant and ten represents most significant. Ratings will then be made based on recommendation and median will be used to estimate and compare scores for current application and recommended application features. Proposed Timetable of Activities Period Activity 2 weeks Preliminary investigations into the research topic 1/2 weeks Determination of the research problem , aims, and objectives 3 weeks Review of existing literature 1 week Documentation of literature review 1 week Identification and justification of research methodology 2 weeks Preparation, editing and presentation of the research proposal 6 weeks Implementation of the study and data analysis 1, 1/2 weeks Writing the report 1/2 week Editing the report 1 day Presentation of the report Expected Outcomes The study seeks to investigate and develop a mobile or web cloud application for estate agencies in Coventry city. The study anticipates success in identifying unmet needs and application features for meeting the needs. Majority of the target agencies, based on existing literature, have not embraced cloud computing and the proposed development is likely to aid usage. Knowledge of information safety and such benefits as portability of mobile devices for accessibility are also likely to promote usage. Development of the application is also likely to identify benefits to the organizations and less limitations, compared to perceived limitations of popular cloud computing applications that have been barriers to cloud applications among the agencies. I am also likely to improve my knowledge on cloud computing from the study. Implementing the study will require an understanding of concepts of the mobile application and will ensure my competence in development and use of the application. In addition, interaction with responses from the research participants, together with the process of application development will expand my knowledge on benefits and challenges of the mobile cloud application to estate agencies. The results will further expand knowledge on application of cloud computing among SMEs. Reference list Carcary, M Doherty, E & Conway G 2013, ‘Understanding and supporting cloud computing adoption in Iirish small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs),’ Proceedings of the European Conference on Information Management & Evaluation, pp. 10-17. Carcary, M Doherty, E & Conway G 2014, ‘The adoption of cloud computing by Irish SMEs- An exploratory study,’ Electrical Journal of Information Systems Evaluation, Vol. 17, No. 1, pp. 3-14. Durao, F Carvalho, J Fonseka, A & Garcia, V 2014, ‘A systematic review on cloud computing,’ Journal of Supercomputing, Vol. 16, No. 3, pp. 1321-1346. Halpert, B 2011, Auditing cloud computing: A security and privacy guide, John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken. Han, Y 2010, ‘On the cloud: A new way of computing,’ Information Technology & Libraries, Vol. 29, No. 2, pp. 87-92. Jackson, S 2015, Research methods and statistics: A critical thinking approach, Cengage Learning, Boston. Lucio, G 2013, Pervasive cloud computing technologies: Future outlooks and interdisciplinary perspectives, IGI Global, Hershey. Sahandi, R Alkhalil, A & Opara-Martins, J 2012, ‘SMEs’ perception of cloud computing: Potential and security,’ International Federation for Information Processing-Publications, Vol. 2012, No. 380, pp. 186-195. Schlagwein, D Thorogood, A & Willcocks, L 2014, ‘How Commonwealth Bank of Australia gained benefits using a standards-based, multi-provider cloud model,’ MIS Quarterly Executive, Vol. 13, No. 4, pp. 209-222. Schwalbe, K 2013, Information technology project management, revised, Cengage Learning, Boston. Read More