Software Deployment via Cloud Computing - Term Paper Example

? Business applications software that can be deployed via cloud computing Abstract Business intelligence and analytics applications are programs that are designed to build quantitative processes that can be used by the management to make important business decisions such as develop or identify new opportunities as well as implement effective strategies. Over the recent past, the focus of analytical tool providers from developing applications for performing basic technical stuff and are instead now focusing on high end applications that can effectively be deployed via cloud computing. This paper discuses the three main business analytics applications such as SPSS analytics, SAS application and Oracle analytics software as well ass their potential deployment in cloud computing. Business applications that can be deployed via cloud computing Introduction With the current rapid technological developments, business analytics applications are increasingly gaining popularity and are now easily available to help business managers and analysts deliver insight into the data of their respective organizations. Over the past few years, the focus of analytical tool providers from developing applications for performing basic technical stuff and are instead now focusing on high end applications that can effectively be deployed via cloud computing. Business analytic applications are generally used to measure and predict the performance of various business operations and consequently such applications are important sources of business intelligence to the organizational management which can help the to make improvements in their organization’s business functions (Davenport, 2006). Cloud computing is a new paradigm whose development has provided a powerful virtualized and scalable infrastructure where resource management is often hidden from the end users. Generally the popularity of deploying business data analytics in the cloud is rapidly on the rise and this is particularly attributed to the fact that the underlying infrastructure in cloud computing is able to effectively meet the extreme scalability demands. For example, a business intelligence applications deployed via the cloud can effectively reduce a large computation work into a set of sizable computations thereby improving the speed, capability and accuracy of the applications (Winkler, 2011). Analytics applications are often regarded as a sub set of performance management because they are closely related to the analysis of various business processes such as potential risks and account payable analytics and this is critically important during the decision making processes. This paper discuses the three main business analytics applications such as SPSS analytics, SAS analytics application and Oracle analytics software as well ass their potential deployment in cloud computing. IBM’s SPSS predictive software is currently one of the widely used business applications that enable managers to effectively and accurately predict a number of business operations to enable them make smarter decisions, solve their business problems as well as improve outcomes. As predictive analytics software, SPSS provided an integrated approach to predictive analytics through a number of distinct application packages such as data collection, statistics, Modeler and decision management software. Competition in the current business world has been seen at various points and the need to focus so that to remain profitable has encouraged the use of SPSS predictive soft ware and SAS Analytics application software. These softwares have become important tools for analysis of business performance and prediction of the direction an organization takes in terms of strategies and management in order to remain profitable. It has been observed that through usage of such software it has increased the forecast into performance and enabled businesses to make informed decisions. Through such various organizations have gained insights that have been used to improve on performance both at individual level and organizational level as such relevant information is used anticipate and respond to the different changes in market and customer perspectives that are significant in market research. Businesses are associated with risks either seen or bound to happen in future and through usage of predictive analytical software, such risks can be effectively predicted and analyzed before their occurrence making it major source of information for management and expansion of business. When such risks are identified early it becomes easier to know how to solve them or reduce their occurrence in business field. This software also provides information in terms of capabilities as it incorporates issues of balanced scorecard and dashboards in the analysis of the business setting. By comparing earlier information and the recent data that is collected on individual performance is of great importance. In addition the software is able to analyze the strength and capabilities of competitors in the market and give the relevant information required to increase market share despite the competition. Among important benefit of this business predictive analytics application is that it is cost effective to use the software as it delivers reports with much ease. It also eliminates the need for redundant development and other training as it focuses on improving the already available human resource and knowledge. Consequently SPSS predictive analytics has been beneficial to business and financial analysts because it is considered big source of ideas to them for development and expansion of businesses. Through such analysis the need for innovation creativity and modification of businesses has been identified and implemented to include the changing consumer preferences and changes in the market. SAS which was originally referred to as Statistical Analysis System is an integrated predictive analytics application that allows business operations managers to effectively carry out their business planning, decisions and forecasting. It is currently one of the popular business application software used in business development to gather, analyze interpret and make decisions on the viability and future changes in strategy and concepts. It has been observed that among the benefits of this software is that it has a higher model-scoring performance and in addition it is faster as it gives results on time. By usage of this software it applies latest statistical techniques to give relevant information which is accurate and precise that is helpful to restructuring or organizations and businesses. Generally SAS software looks at the portfolio of any business, predictive analysis, the financial performance, management in order to provide a clear picture of the current performance and predict future outcomes. This software have been beneficial to many businesses and organizations. Significant to note of the SAS software is that it can be tailored to specific environments to produce relevant data important for decision making. Oracle business analytics is another important application with business intelligence, business analytics and predictive analytics which can be effectively deployed via cloud computing. Business intelligence and analytics applications such as Oracle analytics program are generally designed to build quantitative processes that can be used by the management to make important business decisions such as develop or identify new opportunities as well as implement effective strategies. Implications of deploying business analytics applications via cloud computing There are a number of organizational implications of deploying business analytics applications via cloud computing. Generally business decisions require use of scientific approach in order to make correct decisions that are guided by use of relevant information and data. This is what the software helps most businesses to realize and become a source of information for strategic planning and management. According to Ranadive (2006), the potential of deploying business analytics applications via cloud computing is particularly attributed to the fact that most of the applications currently provide a subscription based service whereby users will be able to effectively access the application on demand through cloud deployments. Cloud computing has provided n opportunity for vendors such as IBM and SAS to deliver application solutions not only as a cost effective service that can easily scale with the growing user demand but also as service that can be paid based on the actual consumption just like the customers pay for their utility bills. Additionally some analytics applications such as SAS supports both private and public cloud deployment and this is important because organizations will now be able to reduce the costs that are often associated with the requirement of specific capabilities. Cloud computing is one of the emerging technologies that have significantly affected the IT strategy of a number of business organizations. On the other hand, the deployment of business applications via Cloud computing has been beneficial as it saves costs. In addition, when such applications are hosted centrally, any updates on the software can be released. In addition, with applications hosted centrally, updates can be released without the need for those using the software installing new one. These software can be deployed via cloud computing and hence making the software available to majority of organizations cost effectively. Best practices in the tourism, travel and hospitality industry With the rapid changes in the tourism, travel and hospitality industry due to globalization and developments in information and technology development, organizations increasingly need to adopt best practices in their operations in order to maintain and sustain a competitive advantage. One of the best practices is the use of web technology. For example, organizations in the hospitality industry should use the various web technologies such as social media platforms to, market their brands and enhance customer experience (Negash, 2004). Another important best practice that can form part of growth strategy of organizations in the hospitality industry is product diversification. This practice can particularly achieved providing the customers with a wide range of exciting services. Lastly, According to Kaplan and Norton (2001), organizations should support the change agenda that is in line with their organizational strategy. This is particularly because management strategy is generally about managing change. Conclusion In conclusion, cloud computing is a new technology that has significantly influenced the use of business intelligence applications. Generally many of the predictive analytics applications deployed via the cloud such as IBMs SPSS analytics, SAS analytics software and Oracle can effectively reduce a large computation work into a set of sizable computations thereby improving the speed, capability and accuracy of the applications. References Davenport, T.(2006). Data to Knowledge to Results: Building an Analytic Capability. California Management Review 43, 2, 117–138. Kaplan, R., Norton, D. (2001). The strategy focused organization. New York: Harvard Business Press.  Negash, S (2004). Business Intelligence. Communications of the Association of Information Systems13, 177-195. Ranadive,V. (2006). The Power to Predict: How Real Time Businesses Anticipate Customer Needs, Create Opportunities, and Beat the Competition. New York: McGraw-Hill. Winkler, V. (2011).Securing the Cloud: Cloud Computer Security Techniques and Tactics. Waltham. J.Wiley and sons. Read More