CLOUD TECHNOLOGY

Student name: Luu Thanh Trung

Student ID: CGS00017287

Course: MBAOUM0314

1. Introduction:

What is cloud technology?

Everyone is talking about “the cloud.” But what does it mean?

Business applications are moving to the cloud. It’s not just a fad—the shift from traditional

software models to the Internet has steadily gained momentum over the last 10 years.

Looking ahead, the next decade of cloud computing technology promises new ways to

collaborate everywhere, through mobile devices.

Life before cloud computing

Traditional business applications have always been very complicated and expensive. The

amount and variety of hardware and software required to run them are daunting. You need a

whole team of experts to install, configure, test, run, secure, and update them.

When you multiply this effort across dozens or hundreds of apps, it’s easy to see why the

biggest companies with the best IT departments aren’t getting the apps they need. Small and

mid-sized businesses don’t stand a chance.

2. Outlines:

- Cloud computing: a better way

With cloud computing, you eliminate those headaches because you’re not managing

hardware and software—that’s the responsibility of an experienced. The shared infrastructure

means it works like a utility: You only pay for what you need, upgrades are automatic, and

scaling up or down is easy.

Cloud-based apps can be up and running in days or weeks, and they cost less. With a cloud

app, you just open a browser, log in, customize the app, and start using it.

- Mobility and collaboration

The latest innovations in cloud computing are making our business applications even more

mobile and collaborative, similar to popular consumer apps like Facebook and Twitter. As

consumers, we now expect that the information we care about will be pushed to us in real

time, and business applications in the cloud are heading in that direction as well. With it,

keeping up with your work is as easy as keeping up with your personal life on Facebook…

Here are some of the ways small businesses can use the Cloud. Review this list and how it

applies to your business as you explore how the Cloud can help you use technology to do

more with less.

1. Data Backup

As a small business owner, you are probably already aware of the importance of backing up

your data so you don't lose everything in the case of a systems failure or other disaster. The

Cloud not only simplifies the process by allowing your data to automatically update as you

work, but it also creates copies of your data off-site where it will be safe from any local

natural disaster, theft or malfunction.

2. Mobile Working

One of the great benefits of technology is the ability for small business owners to create

fullyfunctional mobile offices. The Cloud fits in perfectly with this because it allows you to

access and sync your data from wherever you are, essentially allowing you to take your office

with you on the road.

3. Information Sharing

Whether you have in-house staff or a team spread across a distance, the Cloud makes sharing

data effortless. Once you have your data backed up, sharing files can be as easy as sending a

link, eliminating the cumbersome process of emailing large files or saving copies on drives

that are then mailed.

4. File Storage

Many small businesses are using images, audio and video to enhance their marketing

activities. These files often take up a significant part of your hard drive space, which can be

costly. The Cloud allows you to shift the storage of large files off of your local system,

saving local storage for the files you need to access every day.

5. Growth Planning

The Cloud is scalable, so it allows small businesses to create a plan for growth that utilizes

the benefits of the Cloud without a significant up-front investment. You can start small, and

gradually increase your usage over time, while only paying incrementally for the services and

access you need. The Cloud is also self-managed by the apps that provide the services, so you

can eliminate or at least reduce the need for an in-house IT staff to manage your technology.

Small business owners who want to reduce costs without sacrificing their ability to do

business and compete with larger companies are using the Cloud. If you are ready to put the

Cloud to work for your business, you can start small so you can see the benefits without

making major changes to your operations. Over time, you will discover news ways to use and

benefit from the Cloud.

Cloud computing can mean different things to different people. While the technical definition

may differ depending on who you talk to, the main concept of cloud computing is that your

data is stored remotely. The data is not on your computer or server; it is on someone else’s.

All you need to do is to log on to the internet to access your data, and all the work to maintain

the data (servers, IT professionals, etc.) is a third parties problem, not yours. You are free to

do what you do best, which is to run your business.

Advantages of Cloud Computing

The main advantage of cloud computing for the small business owner is its simplicity. You

pay a monthly or annually fee and use the software. For example, you can use QuickBooks

Online for you accounting and bookkeeping needs. You pay Intuit monthly for this service,

and you can just open a browser and do your bookkeeping. If your computer or laptop

crashes, your data will still be they went out of business. So make sure that you have reason

to believe that the company you contract for any cloud services is reliable and will be around

for a long time.

You may find that the subscription fees can add up to significant amounts if you need

additional add-on functionality as your business grows. Many cloud computing services offer

basic services for free or low-cost, but require you to purchase additional modules or add-ons

to get enhanced features or functionality. Sometimes, this can get a bit pricey.

3. Present the key ideas in research with CRM in today’s trends:

Businesses are running all kinds of apps in the cloud, like customer relationship management

(CRM), HR, accounting, and much more. Some of the world’s largest companies moved their

applications to the cloud after rigorously testing the security and reliability of our

infrastructure.

As cloud computing grows in popularity, thousands of companies are simply rebranding their

non-cloud products and services as “cloud computing.” Always dig deeper when evaluating

cloud offerings and keep in mind that if you have to buy and manage hardware and software,

what you’re looking at isn’t really cloud computing but a false cloud.

In today's ever-changing business climate, it's critical that small business owners get what

they need right when they need it. Whether they're on their computers, tablets or mobile

phones, it's more important than ever for businesspeople to have information right at their

fingertips, wherever they are. This is exactly the convenience that cloud computing provides.

For small and midsize businesses (SMBs), the benefits of cloud computing are endless. Cloud

computing saves businesses time and money by boosting productivity, improving

collaboration and promoting innovation. Cloud hosting facilitates all types of information-

there when you log back on because you have given your data over to Inuit.

Another advantage is the cost of cloud computing applications is usually lower than the do-it-

yourself approach for small business owners. Cloud computing companies usually operate on

large scale and can realize a significant cost savings, while you would have to purchases

servers, contract IT professionals, and pay for the operations and maintenance of this data and

that can be very costly as a small business that lacks any economy of scale.

Disadvantages of Cloud Computing

The main disadvantages of cloud computing for small business owners is that you lose

control over your data, are locked into subscription-based contracts, and rely on a third party

to keep your data secure. Your data is at the mercy of whatever company you store your data

with so you will want to make sure that you know they will be around for a while. You do not

want to lose all your accounting data to a company and have absolutely no records because

sharing, such as email services, application hosting, Web-based phone systems, data storage

and more.

Cloud computing is used by everyone from individuals to private and public organizations,

including educational systems and governments. In business, cloud systems are used by

organizations of all shapes and sizes, from small businesses to multinational corporations.

Businesses use cloud computing to access information anywhere using any compatible

device. Unlike storing information on your computer or a server in your office, cloud

computing stores data on the Internet. It works by making information available from a

central Web-based hub that gives anyone with proper credentials access from any location

with an Internet connection. Cloud computing also syncs data for all devices connected to the

cloud, keeping them updated with real-time information.

In the cloud environment, users can access all types of files, use applications as though they

were in the office, and even collaborate remotely while working on the same project or

presentation on their device as someone on the other side of the globe. Even if you're away

from work or your office server is inaccessible, data in the cloud is always up-to-date and

always available wherever, whenever.

Cloud-computing services can range from data storage to functional programs, including

accounting, customer-service tools and remote desktop hosting.

According to a study by Neovise, an IT research firm that focuses on cloud technology, 54

percent of organizations use cloud computing. Of these organizations, 74 percent use some

combination of different types of clouds, with 40-50 percent of them using multiple services

of the same type of cloud.

What Kinds of Cloud Services Do Business Owners Use?

Business owners use three types of cloud services to store their data and provide them with

services: public, private and hybrid.

Public Cloud: A public cloud service is built on an external platform run by a cloud-service

provider. With this off-site cloud service, users get their own cloud within a shared

infrastructure. The provider offers everything from system resources to the security and

maintenance of your cloud system. Since it is managed by an outside company specializing in

cloud services for a large range of customers, a public cloud system is great for organizations

that want more elasticity, cost-effectiveness and the latest technology.

Private Cloud: A private cloud service is a cloud platform built within your own walls on

your own hardware and software. Since a private cloud is managed by your own internal IT

team, it is ideal for businesses that want exclusive access, more flexibility and greater control

over their cloud. To use a private cloud service, however, organizations build their own data

centers, making it a costlier cloud option.

Hybrid Cloud: A hybrid cloud service employs both private and public clouds. In a hybrid

cloud system, an organization’s own IT team manages part of the cloud in-house and the rest

off-site. For instance, a hybrid cloud system is perfect for an organization that wants to

manage business-related data (such as customer files) in-house but wants to store less-

sensitive information with a third party. Hybrid cloud systems are used by all types of

organizations but are 46 percent more likely to be used by larger organizations with more

than 1,000 employees, according to the Neovise research.

4. Design and implementation of our system prototype:

We are an impressive cloud-hosting platform that is both robust and easy to use. Its suite of

powerful features includes compatibility with every major Web language, fast application

deployment, monitoring and analytics, an intuitive user interface, easy scale management and

simple third-party add-on integration from outside vendors. We also provides a collection of

tutorials and documentations for uncomplicated utilization.

Cloud services and communications provider for SMBs, also suggests finding cloud-

computing services that offer both cloud and network connectivity to simplify logistics, save

money and avoid the headaches of dealing with multiple vendors.

The drawbacks of cloud computing are twofold. First, implementing any new type of

technology will require training personnel and establishing an effective troubleshooting

system during and after the cloud has launched. You will also have to address any hesitation

among your employees, especially for those who are unfamiliar with cloud technology.

Another concern about cloud computing is its security risks. Business owners and decision

makers primarily worry about sensitive data in the cloud and their vulnerability to

unauthorized users. While an organization's cloud is typically accessed using designated

usernames and passwords, verifying user identity itself remains a top concern. A study by the

Ponemon Institute, an independent privacy and data-protection research center, found that a

mere 29 percent of organizations have confidence in a cloud's ability to authenticate identities

and secure who has access to sensitive information.

In weighing the risks of cloud computing versus its benefits, executives are especially

concerned about how their information is kept safe in the cloud.

How Does Data Stay Safe in the Cloud?

Cloud safety is all about finding the right vendors and implementing technology that focuses

on both identity verification and data encryption.

“Businesses need to understand that data safety doesn’t just happen on its own,” said Helen

Ching, founder of Cloud Launch One, a cloud consulting and services firm. This means that

businesses need to be strategic in adopting security systems, such as by authenticating

devices connected to the cloud and the identity of the person using it.

One way to protect sensitive information is to encrypt data as it enters, leaves and rests in the

cloud, Ching suggested. This can be done by leveraging DLPs, or Data Loss Prevention tools,

which monitor data leakage and ensure the secure transportation of data to and from the

cloud.

5. Possible direction for extending cloud technology:

Businesses must also do their due diligence and research cloud service providers before

signing up with them. Phil Agcaoili, chief information security officer at Cox

Communications Inc., recommends taking the following steps to vet your provider:

1. Consider utilizing the Consensus Assessment Initiative Questionnaire (CAIQ) provided for

free by the Cloud Security Alliance (CSA). The CAIQ offers boilerplate questions

established by hundreds of security professionals around the world.

2. Demand that your cloud service provider has and maintains appropriate levels of security

assurance and verify that they have posted this information on the Security, Trust, and

Assurance Registry (STAR).

3. Ensure that you have appropriate security language in your contracts with the cloud service

provider, and establish meaningful service-level agreements to guarantee service delivery.

4. Validate that your cloud service provider is spot-checking its performance. The CSA has

Cloud Audit that can provide an automated approach to doing this, while some companies

perform a right to audit. Determine how thorough you need to be in order to obtain a level of

assurance.

5. Consider your back-out plan if the cloud service provider relationship does not work out.

6. In the end, ensure that you have a thorough understanding of what information you can't

afford to lose. As the old security saying goes, don't digitize anything you don't want to lose.

Likewise, don't store it out in the cloud.

6. Conclusion:

Cloud Computing for Small Business Owners: The Options

You will find a few ways to get your small business working in the cloud below:

Document storage. If you want to save, edit, and access Word files, PDFs, spreadsheets,

and other data through an internet connection, then services such as Google Docs, Google

Drive, and Microsoft’s Cloud Services may be options for you.

Website hosting. Many small business owners use a web hosting company, such

as GoDaddyor Web.com to host their company websites. It is far easier and cheaper to use

these web hosting companies rather than having the costs of purchasing and maintain a server

or trying to put a website online from a personal computer.

Payroll Processing. You can process your payroll through national payroll providers such

asADP and Paychex in the cloud. You can even set up payroll reports with these companies

so that your payroll expenses can be formatted to you general ledger to streamline the

accounting for your companies’ payroll and let your employees enter time online so you can

be completely paperless when it comes to manage your payroll and labor.

Cloud Accounting Software. QuickBooks Online (review) was already mentioned as a

viable cloud accounting software program for small business owners. A lesser known option

isKashoo Accounting (review), which you can use for reconciling bank accounts, tracking

expenses, preparing checks, and perform other accounting tasks.

These are just a few of the many ways small business owners can use cloud computing

options to run their businesses more efficiently, effectively, and at a lower cost.