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Here is given a brief introduction to cloud computing, as it consists of delivering services via the world wide web. Business users are capable of accessing resources and services from a variety of providers. Businesses are able to have a dynamic resource allocation into their IT infrastructure on a usage capacity on-demand, as a result businesses do not have to prior invest in terms of in-house expertise, security or large financial commitments including the ongoing maintenance of their whole IT infrastructure.

Below are the main characteristics of Cloud Computing for Business:
• On-Demand Self-Service: Businesses can provision computing capabilities custom implemented to their requirements.

• Resource Pooling: IT infrastructure resources, such as storage, processing and memory, are pooled to serve multiple consumers using a multi-tenant model, with different physical and virtual resources dynamically assigned according to demand.

• Rapid Elasticity: Consumer’s capabilites can be rapidly and elastically provisioned and purchased in any quantity at any time. As a result, IT Managers are less pressured to predict utilization, thereby reducing capital expenditure.

• Measured Service: Metering capability allows automatic control and optimization of resources through cloud computing. Resource usage is monitored, controlled and reported.

Migrating to the cloud can provide many benefits to businesses. It follows that it is imperative that an understanding of the different cloud configurations including service models, ownership and location of the hardware, and the degree of capacity reservation, are essential to help the overall understanding for any business strategies and implementations.

Implementation Models or Cloud Configurations:

• Infrastructure as a Service (Iaas), this configuration permits to deploy and run software by provisioning components such as processing, storage, networks and other fundamental computing resources. Businesses do not manage or control the underlying cloud infrastructure. The underlying service providers own the equipment and are thus responsible for their own maintenance. However, the businesses do have control over operating systems, storage and deployed applications. Examples include Amazon Web Services.

• Platform as a Service (Paas), this configuration permits the deployment onto the cloud infrastructure customised solutions including applications created using tools supported and hosted by the service provider.  However, businesses do not manage or control the underlying cloud infrastructure, such as the network, servers, operating systems or storage, but has control over the deployed applications. Examples include Google Apps Engine and Microsoft Azure.

• Software as a Service (Saas), businesses are capable to use the service provider applications running on a cloud infrastructure. Businesses do not manage or control the underlying cloud infrastructure including network, servers, operating systems, storage or even individual application abilities. An example is web-based email.

Deployment:

• Private Cloud, In this model, the cloud infrastructure is self-owned by a business. It can be managed by the organization itself or a third-party provider, and it can exist on or off the organization’s premises. However, there are challenges of managing large initial investments, significant changes in internal IT operations and support, and time to achieve technology capability

• Public Cloud, the cloud infrastructure is made available to the general public or a large industry group. The infrastructure is vendor-owned.

• Hybrid Cloud,  a combination of both private and public clouds, hybrid clouds are organized in such a way that a portion of the infrastructure is deployed in a private cloud and the rest is exposed on the public cloud. In this case, there is an increased need for a central cloud management solution to address challenges in both private and public configurations.

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Photo by mayorgavinnewsomCloud Computing Business Benefits
Business leaders are begining to embrace the cloud as the next big thing in IT.  Business processing such as document management and outsourcing are more easily done with this technology in place.  As a result,  permits businesses to add IT capabilities or capacity in a flexible manner without the need to invest in a new resources and tools.

The business benefits can be detailed as:

• Economies of scale: When you take advantage of a centralized infrastructure that supports multiple clients, you get an economy of scale.
• Unlimited storage and processing power: With unlimited capacity, it follows that businesses don’t have to expand a data center or add servers to a network.  Furthermore, it allows for a vast computational power with no impact on a business overall energy consumption.
• Flexibility and scalability: Because there is no infrastructure to manage and maintain for the cloud, and businesses only pay for what they use, there is a huge advantage in flexibility. Instead of investing in permanent resources that may not be needed in the future, businesses can just tap into the cloud for immediate needs.
• Benchmark technology and best practices: Leading providers of cloud services are able to provide innovative technology and current best practices thanks to size and resources.
• Streamlined implementations: The cloud is an efficient platform for service delivery and provides great cost effectiveness, better quality, and faster implementation processes.
• Improved access to information: A key resource for any employee to share information, create and revise documents and collaborate in real-time.
• A sensible solution for a mobile workforce: Offer flexibility for employees to work anywhere.  Subsequently, the cloud improves business productivity.

Cloud Perception
Many businesses are delaying the decision to direct their processes and resources into the cloud.  The perception is that of a data and system security, the maintenance of privacy for people and organizations, and the possibility of being locked into one provider. However, as with any other technology the perception can be overcome when explained that cloud computing mitigates any concerns by providing experts, with latest security updates for free and SLA with compensations in place.  It follows that it involves the aggregation of computing power and data understandably gives rise to concern.

We provide some pertinent questions to help convince sceptics below:

• What are the current benefits of cloud computing?
• Can anything stop its progress?
• Are the cloud computing benefits worth the risk?

One aspect of these concerns centers on security. Putting confidential records in public clouds increases the risk that unauthorized people can gain access to sensitive information. When organizations store their data with programs hosted by a provider, they lose some of control over their sensitive information. The responsibility for protecting that information from data breaches by unauthorized parties then falls into the hands of the provider rather than the organization.

In addition to security and privacy concerns, cloud computing gives rise to apprehension about being locked in by a vendor. Proprietary architectures or unique data models could potentially make it difficult to switch vendors and move into or out of a cloud vendor. In addition, if the provider goes out of business, there’s a question of what happens to the organization’s data it holds. Before jumping into the cloud, an organization should consider whether their vendor has standardized processes, proven service delivery methodologies, and transparent governance.

Trustworthy Providers
Cloud computing can be regarded as a form of outsourcing,  therefore the key issues from data security, privacy, service quality and reliability must be met by a trustworthy provider.  When looking for a provider, businesses should choose one that offers ROI analysis identifying which applications would provide the best returns when migrated to a cloud environment, an implementation plan, an explanation of how the plan aligns with business strategy, and guidelines for deployment.  Furthermore, businesses should also consider the factors below:

• Security policies to enhance the business process.
• The security design should be flexible enough to adapt to changing business situations and evolving technology.
• The use of standards is essential to minimize risks.

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