Types of Cloud Computing Softwares and Pros and Cons of Each

Types of Cloud Computing Softwares and Pros and Cons of Each

Background Information

Competition in both private and public sector has pressured organizations to reduce costs over a period of time (Antonopoulos and Gillam 2010). At the same time, required to remain relevant and improve productivity to satisfy the ever growing market. However, during the recovery period, most organization faces financial challenges to sustain the organization’s growth as the financial capacity declines. In addition, the management always remains alert to reduce cost as well as device innovative ways to remain competitive (Furht and Escalante 2010). Thus, technology innovation is one area that most organizations are investing heavily in order to lower expenses and increase efficiency. Cyber infrastructure involves the technological research environment that identifies and advance methods of data acquisition, data management, data storage, data mining, data integration, and data visualization (Furht and Escalante 2010). Therefore, cyber infrastructure is part of the technological advancement that provides solutions to efficient data connection, connection between computers (Buyya, Broberg and Gościński 2011). In other words, cyber infrastructure makes it easier to deploy computer applications and software. Thus, the applications expand the scope of information accessibility, efficiency, reliability, and quality (Antonopoulos and Gillam 2010). In other words, the applications captures the commonalities among application needs hence facilitate the sharing of services and equipment in an efficient and reliable way.

Definition of Cloud Computing

Nonetheless, today many business entities rely heavily on information technology and information services (Buyya, Broberg and Gościński 2011). Ideally, it is important because, it enables the organization to achieve economy of scale. As such, it reduces the overall cost. Nonetheless, the technology increases the efficiency and productivity of the end user. For instance, an organization might conduct 80% of its business using the electronics, but about 20% of the total cost overhead is connected to information technology (Buyya, Broberg and Gościński 2011). Therefore, according to the United States National Institute of Standard and Technology (NIST), cloud computing refers to paradigm that anchors on the computation and sharing of data over a wide network of nodes (Antonopoulos and Gillam 2010). There are three types of cloud computing which include “Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS)” (Antonopoulos and Gillam 2010). In the current market, cloud computing has become the most viable and relevant information technology (Antonopoulos and Gillam 2010). For instance, many enterprises have adopted the technology, arguing that, it allows flexibility within the computer interface and cost less to apply the applications (Buyya, Broberg and Gościński 2011). As such, companies such as EPR, Google Apps, QuickBooks, and Salesforce are building their own cloud services instead of using the local applications and softwares (Buyya, Broberg and Gościński 2011). In addition, academia is also building its own cyber infrastructure to resolve inconveniences and Grid limitation (Furht and Escalante 2010). This paper would describe types of cloud computing and analyze the advantages and disadvantages of using the softwares.

Types of Softwares in Cloud Computing

According to the United States National Institute of Standard and Technology (NIST), cloud computing softwares have been summarized as “Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS)” (Antonopoulos and Gillam 2010).

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

Since the inception of web-based cloud service software (Infrastructure as a Service), majority of enterprises have experienced exponential growth (Antonopoulos and Gillam 2010). Nonetheless, the software provides greater customization and integration of different functionality within the organization. The web-based cloud service software maps all the developmental processes and data within the organization in a comprehensive manner (Buyya, Broberg and Gościński 2011). In other words, the software integrates functional units of an organization in a holistic way and channels every operation into single information technology architecture. For instance, the American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS) adopted the software in the year 2000 (In Buragga and In Zaman 2013). The operations system of the company such as finance, personnel, production, quality management, and marketing were integrated (In Buragga and In Zaman 2013). Currently, the service serves the suppliers, the company, and the clients without wasting time to travel long distances (In Buragga and In Zaman 2013). In fact, the software enables the company to make a direct link with people without necessarily connecting through the internet.

Pros of Web-Based Cloud Service

Normally, the web-based cloud service software provides quick accessibility and collaboration between the organization and client servers (Furht and Escalante 2010). This superior ability enhances the capacity of employees to access the system far away from the office, thereby, offering a wide scope for effective work output. For example in a hospital set up, the software would assist the physicians to collaborate faster with the patient without travelling to his/her residential homes. Thus, secure environment would facilitate effective delivery of better services and health care. Moreover, the web-based software enables the firm to save finances since it lowers the operation cost (Furht and Escalante 2010). For example, it is easier to switch to a new web-based system. In other words, the costs being reduced include user license, hardware installation, training of employees and implementation fees. Nonetheless, the web-based cloud service software lowers the maintenance cost, upgrading, configuration and information efforts (Buyya, Broberg and Gościński 2011). For instance, the client-server service cost almost $40000 in U.S without including the license fee, maintenance fee (Buyya, Broberg and Gościński 2011). However, installation of web-based cloud software does not require hardware and the license fee and maintenance charges which is part of the cost thereby making it affordable.

The web-based cloud service software is secure to use and eliminate the uncertainty that occur due to lack of safety assurance (Buyya, Yeo, Venugopal, Broberg and Brandic 2009). As compared to the client-server system, the web-based system delivers superb security. For example, the production of software is in alignment with HIPAA rules and regulations (Furht and Escalante 2010). Thus, it renders the “high bank level security” hence does not allow readability of data (Buyya et al., 2009). In the case, whereby, natural disaster such as, fire destroys the data, the software provides a back up which is stored in multiple places within the system (Buyya et al., 2009).

Cons of Web-Based Cloud Service Software

Beside the numerous advantages of web-based cloud service software, there exist disadvantages. First, it is hard to outsource the software from a reliable source (Buyya, Broberg and Gościński 2011). This creates fear among the management, thereby, slowing the pace of adoption. Secondly, although the software provides adequate security and back up, the fact remains that, in none way or the other manufactures have the software details (Buyya, Broberg and Gościński 2011). Therefore, it raises a concern when the organization handles confidential information such as, customer credit card information. On the other hand, the terms and condition attached to the software are inflexible (Buyya et al., 2009). As such, for confidential information, it requires that, the organization utilize the private web-based cloud service for maximum security. In other words, the software has some hidden expenses that could not be identified easily.

Software as a Service (SaaS)

This software facilitates the delivery of application to many users through the computing infrastructure (In Buragga and In Zaman 2013). The software delivers the application regardless of employee’s location, unlike the traditional model where one application was handled in one desktop. However, the software allows all the instructions to be managed from one location that is, the central position. In other words, inclusion of pricing, architecture, management characteristics, and partnering between organizations is made possible (Buyya, Broberg and Gościński 2011). For example, Coca-Cola Enterprise installed SaaS to incorporate collaboration tools, conferencing, sending emails, and calendaring (Buyya, Broberg and Gościński 2011).

Pros of Software as a Service (SaaS)

The software allows the pooling of resources that enhance resource elasticity (Buyya et al., 2009). In other words, it increases the capacity and elasticity of infrastructures to allow flexibility. This high level of flexibility enhances the productivity and increase business efficiency (Furht and Escalante 2010). According to the Cloud Networking Report in 2012, the feature enabled the small businesses to compete well with large business rivals in the industry (In Buragga and In Zaman 2013). Moreover, the SaaS offers a platform that is easy to use and adapt (Buyya et al., 2009). Untrained person could follow the instructions and test the functionality of the software without difficulties (Buyya, Broberg and Gościński 2011). Nonetheless, the user may use more that one version during the operation and achieve his/her goal. In addition, the SaaS provide room for upgrading, which ensures continuous service to the client. The efforts and cost associated with upgrading of the new version is lower in comparison to the traditional model (Buyya et al., 2009). In other words, the cost is minimal even if the organization outsources a professional for installation. Another advantage of SaaS is that, it enables the small medium enterprises to access the application which could have been difficult to get (Buyya et al., 2009). According to Cloud Networking Report in 2012, many small business enterprises lacked the capacity to install and use specialized software for their business (In Buragga and In Zaman 2013). Nonetheless, the SaaS provide a smooth transition from information technology budget to capital expenses and operational expenses (Buyya et al., 2009). As such, less energy is spent during the computation of expenses.

Cons of Software as a Service (SaaS)

The potential pitfalls of SaaS include, first, sensitive information and company data could not be endowed to a third party: the service provider (Furht and Escalante 2010). In the case where the service provider gets access to the company information and data, it could easily leak to the hands of employees. More especially when the company uses more than two cloud systems, security becomes an issue (Furht and Escalante 2010). Secondly, despite the fact that the business owner lying best procedure and plan for installation, outrage normally happens (Furht and Escalante 2010). SaaS is prone to human error, which results into disastrous situation a head (In Buragga and In Zaman 2013). Therefore, for conventional installation and usage, the user must scrutinize the Service Level Agreement carefully to avoid mistakes (Buyya et al., 2009). Consequently, it would force the user to buy tools such as, Outrage Analyzer or Is It Down Right Now (Buyya et al., 2009). Thirdly, SaaS is prone to hiccups, which could derail the business processes (Buyya, Broberg and Gościński 2011). Therefore, the Cloud Networking society recommends that, it would be wise if the user chooses a vendor that allows exit strategy to provide a basis for data mobility (Buyya, Broberg and Gościński 2011).

Platform as a Service (PaaS)

Platform as a Service involves delivery of the middleware and database, as well as management, development, security and integration as a service (In Buragga and In Zaman 2013). In other words, the PaaS enables the standardization, and deployment of applications to different functional units of an organization. Therefore, the PaaS provoke the fact that every application requires technology to function (Furht and Escalante 2010).

Pros of Platform as a Service (PaaS)

The PaaS requires a few servers, network components, and storage capacity, which reduce the capital expenditure (Furht and Escalante 2010). In other words, a few database elements means, a reduction of operation cost hence provide the ability to consolidate database. As such, the business gains momentum to increase efficiency in its operation. Actually, the few database elements integrated with standardization of activities within the organization, makes it easier to manage the operations as well as providing reliable environment for doing business (In Buragga and In Zaman 2013). Moreover, the PaaS increases the information technology agility, that is, PaaS forms the heart of Oracle Real Application Cluster (Buyya et al., 2009). Therefore, the database ability and capacity could easily accommodate any volume of workload. In other words, the database elements could either expand or shrink depending on the workload volume. The PaaS has also assisted in improving the quality of services (Buyya et al., 2009). For instance, the previous Tier 3 and Tier 2 database could not accommodate all the workload, thereby, reducing the capacity of an organization to satisfy the client (Furht and Escalante 2010). The incorporation of PaaS software has assisted in expanding the capacity of the servers to increase efficiency and security. Therefore, the inclusion of RAC into the database has facilitated the deployment of resources. As such, achieving value addition to the existing service delivery has possible in many organizations (In Buragga and In Zaman 2013).

Cons of Platform as a Service (PaaS)

The PaaS has the weakness of locking-in the vendor (In Buragga and In Zaman 2013). In other words, the application requires that the user makes an application according to the provisions of the PaaS provider (In Buragga and In Zaman 2013). As such, it would be hard moving an application from one provider to another. Handling private and confidential data and information about the organization is hard under The PaaS application (Furht and Escalante 2010). It forces the organization to locate its private information in different servers other than the PaaS. Nevertheless, PaaS installation and integration with other local application is expensive (Buyya et al., 2009). This is because of its complex nature. In addition, the application has limited chances to comply with environment standards, data, and energy (Furht and Escalante 2010). Therefore, it acts as a resistance to organizational changes.

Conclusion

The research reveals that, there are three types of cloud computing, which include Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a service (PaaS), and software as a service (SaaS). As such, the applications expand the scope of information accessibility, efficiency, reliability, and quality. In other words, the applications captures the commonalities among application needs hence facilitate sharing of services and equipment in an efficient and reliable way. Nonetheless, the software enables organizations to derive benefits such as, scalability, rapid update and upgrading, lower operation cost, improved accessibility, easy integration, and enhancement of security. However, the pitfalls included the compliance risks, integration limitation, data security, limitation of deployments and strategic risks. Apparently, for small business enterprises to compete well with big organizations there is the need to embrace information technology.

References

Antonopoulos, N., & Gillam, L. (2010). Cloud computing: Principles, systems and applications. London: Springer.

Buyya, R., Broberg, J., & Gościński, A. (2011). Cloud computing: Principles and paradigms. Hoboken, N.J: Wiley.

Buyya, R., Yeo, C. S., Venugopal, S., Broberg, J., & Brandic, I. (2009). Cloud computing and emerging IT platforms: Vision, hype, and reality for delivering computing as the 5^th utility. Future Generation computer systems, 25(6), 599-616.

Furht, B., & Escalante, A. (2010). Handbook of cloud computing. New York: Springer.

In Buragga, K. A., & In Zaman, N. (2013). Software development techniques for constructive information systems design. Hershey, PA: Information Science Reference.