Cloud Technology and How It Has Shaped Business

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Introduction

In the modern world, cloud computing has reshaped the usage of the web, as well as the storage of data in most companies. Cloud computing is a specialized technology that runs sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Furthermore, the new technology helps in the manipulation of files obtained from Google docs and Gmail.

In the field of information technology, cloud computing would mean a network of computers. These computers are used as service-oriented tools. Their primary role is to transmit software and information. Websites can only be displayed in computers and servers.

However, cloud technology is different because it uses information from computers as a collective virtual computer.

This means that all applications have the capacity of running independently, without relying on servers or server configurations. In other words, cloud technology allows information to float around freely (Chambers, 2010).

This implies that the hardware is not essential. Private cloud computing means that information to be shared is restricted to a few individuals, particularly members of an organization while public cloud computing allows information sharing among the general communal members.

The main aim of this paper is to discuss the applications of cloud technology, its economic benefits, and how the technology has shaped businesses in the world.

The relevance of cloud technology is understood through a case study. In this regard, the paper looks at the effectiveness of the technology in Prince Mohammad bin Fahad University.

Application of Cloud Computing

The social media, such as Facebook and Twitter, offer people with specific skills that can easily affect the way in which people pass information in organizations and social life. For instance, Facebook offers a micro-blogging UX. This facilitates the redistribution of information, asking of questions and finding knowledge.

Information distribution does not follow any standardized structure in the cloud computing technology. Micro-blogging is a form of technology used in cloud computing, which utilizes the services of CRM (Zissis, 2010).

Through CRM technology, an individual or a company can pass updates to other individuals regarding unusual events and actions. The following chart shows cloud computing layers.

Cloud computing layers

For companies, they are able to circulate configurable real-time updates to treasured customers through Facebook. For information to be displayed to other Facebook users, several tools and programming languages are employed. Facebook servers use a LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL, and PHP).

The most essential tools are the Linux and the Apache. The two tools are indispensable when it comes to safeguarding the identity of the client. MySQL is a tool that is charged with the responsibility of transferring data from the primary server to other users.

For purposes of ensuring that correct language is used, PHP programming technology is often employed. This ensures that the contents are portable. In this regard, the content can be distributed or even transferred to other users (Joha, & Janssen, 2012). The following diagram shows how the technology works.

How the cloud technology works

Critics of cloud computer technology claim that companies exploit customers. This is because customers boost the sales of the company yet they are not paid. For instance, each person is expected to create his Facebook, Twitter, and Google accounts without the help of the company.

This amounts to exploitation because it would be expected that the company opens an account for each customer. Companies have free access to labor because customers are employees who are not paid. However, it is surprising to note that customers are always inconvenienced because they lack privacy.

When opening a Facebook account, a customer is supposed to disclose pertinent information, such as age, sex, occupation, and academic qualifications.

The biggest concern for firms in the industry is continuity. The ability of the firm to withstand forces in the external environment is always very important. Profitability of the firm must be based on sustainability.

Emerging technologies have resulted to big success for some firms, just as they have pushed some out of the market. Based on how the management of a firm responds to the emerging technologies, the result can be either positive or negative.

Cloud computing is one of the best ways through which a firm can remain sustainable in the market. Three main factors are important in ensuring business continuity. The elements are reduced cost of operation, strong base of loyal customers, and the ability to put to check market competition.

These are some of the factors that virtualization has improved. The discussion above clearly demonstrates that virtualization is one of the best ways through which a firm can cut down on its costs of operation.

This would increase its profitability in the market, making it stronger enough to withstand forces of competition in the market. A firm would be able to monitor the actions of its competitors and come up with the best response strategies. These factors would maintain continuity.

Case Study: Application of Cloud Technology in Prince Mohammad bin Fahad University

Prince Mohammad bin Fahad University is a world-class institution of higher learning, which offers several courses and programs. In this regard, it should have a large distribution system that operates globally. The institution operates in the service industry, which is highly competitive and diverse.

Through cloud technology, customers would be allowed to make inquiries and apply for courses and programs online. This form of technology would be relevant for the institution since it would help it manage competition effectively.

The institution has encountered several challenges regarding data storage and dissemination meaning that cloud technology would be necessary in resolving these issues. In other words, it has to select a niche and devise ways through which it could protect this market.

This would be made possible through the application of cloud computing. The service industry is very lucrative, but very competitive. Various other institutions of higher learning have come out with strong strategies on how to remain competitive in the market.

One of the most critical factors that would determine competitiveness of this university in this industry is communication (Geada, 2011). Information flow is significant in this sector.

For an institution to be competitive in this industry, it would be expected to communicate with its clients, who are mainly students, effectively and pass this information to the shareholders.

The institution heavily relies on repeat purchases meaning that customers are students who decide to continue with their studies after going through one academic level successfully. It would, therefore, be prudent to offer them maximum satisfaction in order to convince them to make join advanced programs.

The institution has always encountered several problems with its communication and data storage system. There have been cases where the needs of students are not appropriately addressed due to technical hitches (Joha, & Janssen, 2012).

The management of this institution should consider applying one of the cloud technologies software referred to as VMware, which is known to help in enhancing communication and data storage system.

The management should integrate its servers and hire a technocrat who would ensure that the system runs normally. The result of this move would be a massive success in handling student and client needs. The expenses on energy would be reduced because the number of hardware would reduce.

The management would also reduce the number of employees in various departments because work would be made much easier. The most significant impact of this technology would be its efficiency in handling student and client needs. The communication process would improve.

The management would easily communicate with students, code communication appropriately, and pass the coded message to the respective departments.

As the institution contemplates employing the new technology, the major problem would be to convince members of staff to adopt it. Many individuals are always reluctant to accept change. The management will have to establish a program that would train people on how to use the technology.

Conclusion

Cloud computing is the future of data management in organizations, particularly institutions of higher learning. Emerging technologies are changing the approach taken in the business society.

These new technological inventions are redefining the way business organizations should approach strategic plans for their organizations. It is evident from the above discussion that these technologies cannot be ignored.

Organizations must come to appreciate the fact that the world is going through several changes. Some concerns, such as comfort, security, speed, and efficiency, are defining factors behind the emerging technologies.

It would require an organization to understand these forces in order to manage market competition. Virtualization offers a firm with an opportunity to integrate the servers hence eliminating the need for several servers in the firm.

References

Chambers, D. (2010). Windows Azure: Using Windows Azure’s Service Bus to Solve Data Security Issues. Rebus Technologies, 2(1), 2-14.

Geada, D. (2011). The case for the heterogeneous cloud. Cloud Computing Journal, 3(1), 37-87.

Joha, A, & Janssen, M. (2012). Transformation to Cloud Services Sourcing: Required IT Governance Capabilities. ICST Transactions on e-Business, 12(1), 7-9.

Zissis, D. (2010). Addressing cloud computing security issues. Future Generation Computer Systems 28(3): 583-608.

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