Impact Of The Technology Cloud Computing

Published Date: 02 Nov 2017

Cloud computing relies on computing resources such as hardware and software. One of the examples of the same would be to prepare presentations or any other document and saving the same in the cloud. You can access that document from anywhere and anytime from any part of the world. The name ‘cloud’ comes from the cloud based symbol, refers to some abstract complex diagrams/system. I see cloud as vast, immeasurable, limitless and available everywhere.

Cloud-based applications are accessed via laptops, desktops, smart phones, servers, tablets or through a web browser whereas software programs are stored on servers at inaccessible place. Cloud computing has various models such as Iaas (Infrastructure as a service) or online file storage, Saas (Software as a service), Paas Platform as a Service. Online file storage is becoming widespread but it’s been there for a several years. Hard drive space has become economical; in fact Asus Cloud storage, Google Docs and many more providers nowadays propose free of charge or inexpensive online storage for users. With Saas, you don’t have to buy expensive software or hardware, instead rent them over and access them on a web browser. For example, in small sales business, it is not required to buy an expensive online sales software or database. Such businesses can rent required sophisticated software and hardware which could be access over web browser or Smartphone’s and handhelds. In Paas, you can develop, can pick and choose the software and hardware applications from cloud computing companies and access them over a network according to the need and requirement of the business without download and installation such as ecommerce website. Cloud computing companies offer protection and essential mechanism for the application. An example would be Google App Engine.

Impact of the technology – Cloud computing in the business world

There are positive as well as negative impacts of Cloud Computing in the business world. Small and medium sized businesses are adopting this technology at a faster pace. Cloud computing for them is profitable because of its benefits. One of the models of cloud computing is pay-as-you-go that helps in cutting cost. Such businesses buy only those services which you want and when you want therefore they can add or remove services according to their need and thereby cut costs. Another factor would be convenience to small and medium size business as these business do not have to worry about maintaining databases, expensive computer systems, out of date equipments, install anti viruses, upgrade software’s, etc.

In large businesses such technology would impact negatively. You do not have to purchase any hardware or software in cloud computing, you just have to pay for services. Therefore, in large businesses installation of software and hardware would be more cost effective than cloud computing. In this type of business same capital costs of such services would become an operating cost and becomes expensive. Another negative impact with such technology is internet connection. Cloud computing services requires high speed and reliable connection which is not available in all states and countries, therefore it would not be much of help in those parts of the world.

With this technology you would be dependent on cloud computing companies for services. If any day they would choose to stop any service or enhance any product, it would make a negative impact on your company. Similar incident happened when Google Docs decided to drop the support of old Microsoft files in 2012.

Another impact would be that whatever services cloud computing companies provide you have to choose among those. Therefore, solutions available might not satisfy your business needs as you do not have much of options there.

Security and privacy issues are one of the important impacts by this technology. Would that be easy to put your confidential data in somebody else’s system in an anonymous site?

Future Impact of technology - Cloud computing on business world

Future of cloud computing looks bright especially in developed countries. With the advent of various technologies, this is a technology which is here to stay. It’s the next wave of technology as until now it’s been stayed alive out of many other technologies. Cloud computing not only helps in reducing infrastructure costs but also reduces capital expenditures. Flexible nature of cloud computing has increases its popularity. For instance you can scale up or down various services as per the requirement of your business, at a short period. Another aspect of cloud computing is accessible through computers, laptops, Smartphone’s and handhelds for majority of their applications. Virtualization technologies like cloud computing have thus revolutionized the IT industry, enabling small and mid size businesses to suggest online services without investing much in storage, Web, or e-commerce infrastructure. Most important aspect is Security. Many companies are concerned of security of their data as their competitors have same vendors as theirs and therefore data might be shared with their competitors. Also various companies demand application specific security like various encryption/decryption algorithms related to access of their data. Sometimes such services cannot be fulfilled by vendors. But as time goes by lot of new advancements and innovation will take place and one of key aspect to watch out would be security.

Conclusion

The world is ever changing with fast pace of technology. With advent new technology advancement and business innovation, cloud technologies have become an effective part of today’s business world. Undoubtedly, cloud computing is here to stay as it decreases the burden of establishing and operating software and hardware devices on computer systems. This technology would give an experience of well synchronized internal procedures and an enhanced relationship among group members. As cloud computing is a combination of computing power and information which produces potential risks, security concerns and disruptive possibilities. In the near future it would be interesting to see the evolutionary path of cloud computing. It would also be interested to see if this technology adds more value to current services and/or offer improve security measures.