Cloud Computing and Virtualization in S-mart - Case Study Example

CLOUD COMPUTING Course Tutor Institution Cloud computing is a paradigm of delivering large pool of computed data and information services over the internet. It services allow accessibility of data and information anywhere when network connectivity is available. It is characterized by on demand self-service, resource pooling and broad network access. On-demand self-service means that a customer can make a request to manage his/her own computing resources. Pooled resources mean that a customer can pool several computing resources, which are usually in remote centers. And finally, broad network accessibility allows customers to access services over the Internet anytime they wish. According to O’Droma and Ganchev [2], cloud computing can benefit an individual or an organization. For instance, S-mart Company benefits through large storage space offered, reduced cost, flexibility, improved adaptability and networking by cloud computing. First and foremost, cloud system offer data and information storage space thus minimizing work load at hand. Now a days, cloud system massive infrastructure guarantees maintenance of large data. Due to cloud system scale, data and information are dynamically managed effectively and efficiently as demonstrated by [2]. Secondly, cloud computing control and reduces cost in many ways such as facilities consolidation, labor optimization and measured services. S-mart Company attracts cloud computing to save than to consolidate their data center. Because of cloud services S-mart Company save on energy cost. Additionally, because cloud does not require maintenance cost to service the system, S-mart made a better plan to redirect the workforce from routine operation to mission critical task. Cloud automatically optimizes resources by measuring services. It integrates cost control to future plan as per O’Droma and Ganchev [1]. Thirdly, cloud computing agility and adaptability are important characteristics. S-mart adapt more rapidly to situations to deliver its critical. S-mart uses cloud computing applications to make marketing easier by employing appropriate block necessary for deployment. By visualizing resources, S-mart build more complex benefits scheme which include improved agility and options for future stability. Additionally, cloud approach make it easier for S-mart to expand and contract services at a faster rate by tapping shared resources by third parties particularly for cloud. With increasing software vendors delivering the product, much of traditional software are preinstalled as the associated software deployment are installed as referenced by [2]. Next, S-mart Company increases flexibility by use of cloud computing. Cloud deployment by S-mart Company ensures close implementation alignment with organization needs and ICT strategies. S-mart chooses hybrid cloud approach to reap more external benefits over the private and public sectors. With the help of efficient footprint and up-down scalability of the system enables S-mart to deliver multiple solutions in different ways. Serving and satisfying customer takes few hours now a day. Flexibility makes the S-mart company to be in a position to manage several resources as a single unit as referenced by [1]. Lastly, cloud computing promote use of applications that offer better ways of networking among citizens. For instance, S-mart Company turns to cloud computing to optimize current and future services to reach it customers. In additional, S-mart cloud system provide accessibility link to a wide range within a single community as per [1]. More so, S-mart Company employs cloud computing to bind its employees closely and efficiently. Also S-mart Company brings related company by fostering interagency cooperation to serve their clients in a better and faster response in case of emergencies. S-mart developed agencies collaboration through cloud computing to strengthen its ties with all sectors. However, cloud computing is associated with risks such as inability to access internet leaving data out of reach, lack of room for negotiation, reliance on third party, business data at risk and automatic updates. First, S-mart company live in a ubiquitous connectivity though there are several occasions when the access disappears, leaving them with no alternative to stand with the digital world. As a result, the issue remains to be a nightmare to S-mart. For example, if the network goes off, the staff is left twiddling their fingers unable to log in to read crucial files. Nick [4] states, Wi-Fi and data connections services are readily available but sometimes they are unreliable thus causing frustration as well as lobbing connection fee. Another risk associated with cloud computing is the adherence on terms and conditions applied by the cloud provider. They generate contracts and offer key issues such as service level availability which are up to the company to accept them. It poses a challenge to S-mart Company because breaching of terms and conditions has consequences. However, cloud software vendors allow S-mart Company to discuss the issue on service levels they want, but at highly private deployments to provide its own conditions as it gets. Afterward, the company sticks to its own conditions which allow it to set its own services as demonstrated by [2]. Thirdly, S-mart Company enjoys benefit of cloud computing services as it manages all its IT. However the reality is not so pretty. S-mart can make savings by reducing IT job in its departments. In other words, it means that they do not have quick access to customers on the ground because things go wrong sometimes as per Vermesan [3]. Cloud computing is also not well documented to develop future internal teamwork and better services to enable the company to be self reliance. Fourth, undoubtedly S-mart Company put its trust to cloud to offer overall security to its data. However, the information is put into service that is accessible by the public internet which means criminals can use the site as their potential gold mine target. As such, the software hacking allows hackers to manipulated or damaged data. So, due to the company inability to uncover the link, it continues to stumble across risk while its sensitive data is being exposed to unauthorized users. Clearly, if sensitive information can be visible through the act of sharing cloud storage services, the company may realize later the big risk underlying on cloud computing even though it is beneficial as demonstrated by [3]. Lastly, automatic updates by the cloud software vendor may pose a challenge to S-mart Company. When update happens seamlessly and abruptly it rolls out many users at fast. Of course, if S-mart Company does not want the update, it is well but it is tough to luck. The company is imagining one day it turn up for work, only to find that there is no care in the world and an upgrade on the software has taken place overnight, the key features that the company relied on are nowhere to be found. The dashboard has new major design which is complex for the ordinary user to understand. While if the company manages its own software and system upgrades might take more time. However, managing its own system upgrades allows the company to decide how and when to control and implement changes as per Nick [4]. According to Zaigham [5], S-mart Company later decide to design its own model with a purpose of providing storage, access, upgrade, processing, sharing, securing and publishing its data. The company can use internet of things strategy to design its model. The model to be designed, will allows the company to set its own security features necessary to protect data in the cloud. The proposed S-mart design model is represented below. Product cloud Identity and security tool is very important in the model to manage user authentication. S-mart Company employed security to control log in by unauthorized user who tempers with the data. S-mart product application is software that runs on remote area to provide, monitor, manage, optimize, control and automate product operation within the geographical area. Additionally, rules govern access of the data in the cloud by the ordinary user. More so, application platform helps user to access the data anywhere anytime when network connectivity is available. Another crucial element is the product data database which enables the company to store data in a single structured unit for easier control and minimize storage space. Next is network connectivity which allow potential user to access and share the data when the need arise. It also acts as an intermediary between the cloud and the company. Product software is responsible of providing better interface to assist the company to access information at the time of need. Product hardware is also an important element in the designed model to help in processing of data into the cloud. Another element is external information source which acts as a gateway to receive external information about the product. And lastly, integration of S-mart Company system which is a crucial tool to publish and integrate data to enterprise business such as enterprise resource planning as per [4]. In conclusion, cloud computing offers huge benefits for individual and organizations such as S-mart Company. Some of benefits includes large storage space offered, reduced cost, flexibility, Improved Adaptability and networking by cloud computing. However, cloud computing is associated with risks such as inability to access internet leaving data out of reach, lack of room for negotiation, reliance on third party, business data at risk and automatic updates risk. As a result the company decided to design its own model to mitigate some of risk that associates with cloud computing. References [1] M. O’Droma and I. Ganchev, “The creation of a ubiquitous consumer wireless world through strategic ITU-T standardization,” IEEE Commun. Mag, vol. 48, pp. 158–165, 2010. [2] M. O’Droma and I. Ganchev, “Toward a ubiquitous consumer wireless world,” IEEE Wirel. Commun, vol. 14, pp. 52–63, 2007. [3] O. Vermesan, P. Friess, P. Guillemin, S. Gusmeroli, H. Sundmaeker, A. Bassi, I. S Jubert, M. Mazura, M. Harrison, M. Eisenhauer, “Internet of things strategic research roadmap,” Int. Things-Global Technol. Soc. Trends, vol.1, pg 9–52, 2011. [4] A. Nick, Cloud computing, London, Springer London, 2010. [5] M. Zaigham, Cloud computing for enterprise architectures, London, Springer London, 2011. Read More