Cloud Computing has become a scalable services consumption and delivery platform in the field of Services Computing. The technical foundations of Cloud Computing include Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) and Virtualizations of hardware and software. The goal of Cloud Computing is to share resources among the cloud service consumers, cloud partners, and cloud vendors in the cloud value chain. The resource sharing at various levels results in various cloud offerings such as infrastructure cloud (e.g., hardware, IT infrastructure management), software cloud (e.g. SaaS focusing on middleware as a service, or traditional CRM as a service), application cloud (e.g., Application as a Service, UML modeling tools as a service, social network as a service), and business cloud (e.g., business process as a service).
Cloud computing can completely change the way companies use technology to service customers, partners, and suppliers. Some businesses, such as Google and Amazon, already have most of their IT resources in the cloud. They have found that it can eliminate many of the complex constraints from the traditional computing environment, including space, time, power, and cost.
Facilities consolidation
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Virtualized resources:
Virtualization may add a new level of complexity, but the benefits include improved agility and additional options for future enhancements. For example, as workforces become increasingly mobile, virtualized desktops allow them to do their work anywhere, on a variety of personal devices. Virtual machines are not tied to particular servers, so they can migrate among physical devices and across geographies.
Simple scalability:
With bandwidth-hungry applications proliferating, the network’s traffic keeps increasing, even if the number of users stays the same. With a cloud platform, managers can add capacity on demand without having to
determine requirements beforehand or go through many of the traditional procurement, provisioning, and implementation processes. Load fluctuations are less of a problem when capacity can be added almost instantly. Of course, ICT groups still need to maintain robust network infrastructures regardless of which cloud models they implement.
Elastic services:
The cloud approach makes it easier for organizations to expand or contract services quickly by tapping into shared pools of resources or implementing prepackaged capabilities developed by third parties specifically for clouds. Furthermore, private cloud deployments using multitenant servers mitigate the “server sprawl” that often accompanies growth.
Fast deployment:
With software vendors increasingly delivering their products preinstalled in virtual machines, much of the traditional installation and configuration work associated with software deployment may not be necessary for a cloud implementation.
Increased flexibility:
The variety of cloud deployment and service models ensures that implementations can be aligned closely with business needs and ICT strategies. Many public sector organizations are choosing a hybrid cloud approach
that lets them benefit from both private and public clouds.
Application proliferation:
Cloud computing supports applications that offer new and better ways for government to engage with citizens. For instance, the nationwide cloud infrastructure proposed for the United Kingdom will feature a government application store that functions as an online marketplace for effective business solutions, encouraging the sharing and reuse of online services across the public sector. Since late 2009, the U.S. General Service Administration has offered an online storefront for cloud solutions called Apps. gov. Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications is building a cloud computing infrastructure to consolidate all
government ICT systems.
Broad reach:
Governments can use cloud platforms to provide access to a wide range of services from a single community portal at any time of day, so that citizens do not have to visit a government office in person during business
hours. Educational institutions can use cloud technology for applications ranging from distance learning and curriculum deployment to professional development and greater access to research and researchers. And healthcare organizations can employ clouds to reach out to patients in underserved communities, make records more readily available, and connect dispersed offices and laboratories.
Closer interaction:
Cloud-enabled collaboration technologies allow public employees to interact with their peers more efficiently. They also foster interagency cooperation, bringing related organizations into closer contact so they can serve
their constituents better and respond faster to emergencies. Additionally, agencies engaging in public-private partnerships can take advantage of collaboration applications to strengthen their ties to companies, private institutions, nongovernment or civil society organizations, and other stakeholders.
Assured service levels:
Cloud computing can completely change the way companies use technology to service customers, partners, and suppliers. Some businesses, such as Google and Amazon, already have most of their IT resources in the cloud. They have found that it can eliminate many of the complex constraints from the traditional computing environment, including space, time, power, and cost.
Models
Cloud computing models vary: Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS). Manage your cloud computing service level via the surrounding management layer.
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
The IaaS layer offers storage and compute resources that developers and IT organizations can use to deliver business solutions.
Platform as a Service (PaaS)
The PaaS layer offers black-box services with which developers can build applications on top of the compute infrastructure. This might include developer tools that are offered as a service to build services, or data access and database services, or billing services.
Software as a Service (SaaS)
In the SaaS layer, the service provider hosts the software so you don’t need to install it, manage it, or buy hardware for it. All you have to do is connect and use it. SaaS Examples include customer relationship management as a service.
Advantages
Cost Reduction and Control
The public sector is under intense pressure to cut costs without undercutting critical services. Cloud computing can reduce total cost of ownership (TCO) both directly and indirectly.
Many organizations are attracted to cloud computing by the savings that come from consolidating their data centers. Resources that can be pooled include storage, compute, memory, and network bandwidth. In addition, because cloud services are largely location-independent, organizations can save on real estate and energy costs—and reduce their carbon footprint at the same time.
As the pace of technology quickens, ICT specialists are looking for network solutions that enable them to react quickly, innovate smoothly and efficiently, and keep growing pains to a minimum. Cloud computing can often make change less burdensome and expensive.
Labor optimization:Because a cloud deployment does not require as much provisioning, software development, or maintenance as a conventional infrastructure, organizations can make better use of valuable ICT expertise by redirecting
the workforce from routine operational and maintenance duties to mission-critical tasks.
Asset utilization:
Many of today’s public sector data centers are characterized by relatively poor asset utilization (often as
low as 25 percent). There is also considerable duplication of equipment and effort across agencies and departments. When they can share applications, storage, and compute power, organizations do not have to build for peak usage that rarely occurs. Furthermore, they do not have to rely solely on the resources they own.
Capital expenditure reduction:
Cloud computing represents a pay-as-you go approach to ICT, rather than an incremental capital expenditure approach. Initial expenditures are comparatively low. Operating expenses go up or down depending on usage, so cash flow matches TCO. Additional investments are made only when they are needed.
Measured services:
A cloud implementation can automatically control and optimize resources by metering services. This makes it easier for managers to track expenses, establish charge-backs, and integrate cost controls into their future
plans. Multiple payment models are possible, including pay for use, subscription, and fixed plans.
the workforce from routine operational and maintenance duties to mission-critical tasks.
Asset utilization:
Many of today’s public sector data centers are characterized by relatively poor asset utilization (often as
low as 25 percent). There is also considerable duplication of equipment and effort across agencies and departments. When they can share applications, storage, and compute power, organizations do not have to build for peak usage that rarely occurs. Furthermore, they do not have to rely solely on the resources they own.
Capital expenditure reduction:
Cloud computing represents a pay-as-you go approach to ICT, rather than an incremental capital expenditure approach. Initial expenditures are comparatively low. Operating expenses go up or down depending on usage, so cash flow matches TCO. Additional investments are made only when they are needed.
Measured services:
A cloud implementation can automatically control and optimize resources by metering services. This makes it easier for managers to track expenses, establish charge-backs, and integrate cost controls into their future
plans. Multiple payment models are possible, including pay for use, subscription, and fixed plans.
Improved Agility and Adaptability
Virtualization may add a new level of complexity, but the benefits include improved agility and additional options for future enhancements. For example, as workforces become increasingly mobile, virtualized desktops allow them to do their work anywhere, on a variety of personal devices. Virtual machines are not tied to particular servers, so they can migrate among physical devices and across geographies.
Simple scalability:
With bandwidth-hungry applications proliferating, the network’s traffic keeps increasing, even if the number of users stays the same. With a cloud platform, managers can add capacity on demand without having to
determine requirements beforehand or go through many of the traditional procurement, provisioning, and implementation processes. Load fluctuations are less of a problem when capacity can be added almost instantly. Of course, ICT groups still need to maintain robust network infrastructures regardless of which cloud models they implement.
Elastic services:
The cloud approach makes it easier for organizations to expand or contract services quickly by tapping into shared pools of resources or implementing prepackaged capabilities developed by third parties specifically for clouds. Furthermore, private cloud deployments using multitenant servers mitigate the “server sprawl” that often accompanies growth.
Fast deployment:
With software vendors increasingly delivering their products preinstalled in virtual machines, much of the traditional installation and configuration work associated with software deployment may not be necessary for a cloud implementation.
Increased flexibility:
The variety of cloud deployment and service models ensures that implementations can be aligned closely with business needs and ICT strategies. Many public sector organizations are choosing a hybrid cloud approach
that lets them benefit from both private and public clouds.
Better Services and Collaboration
Government at all levels is looking for ways to improve services and justify budgets, while public education and healthcare organizations are constantly striving to make instruction and medical delivery more available and effective. These organizations are turning to cloud computing as the foundation for optimizing current and future services.Cloud computing supports applications that offer new and better ways for government to engage with citizens. For instance, the nationwide cloud infrastructure proposed for the United Kingdom will feature a government application store that functions as an online marketplace for effective business solutions, encouraging the sharing and reuse of online services across the public sector. Since late 2009, the U.S. General Service Administration has offered an online storefront for cloud solutions called Apps. gov. Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications is building a cloud computing infrastructure to consolidate all
government ICT systems.
Broad reach:
Governments can use cloud platforms to provide access to a wide range of services from a single community portal at any time of day, so that citizens do not have to visit a government office in person during business
hours. Educational institutions can use cloud technology for applications ranging from distance learning and curriculum deployment to professional development and greater access to research and researchers. And healthcare organizations can employ clouds to reach out to patients in underserved communities, make records more readily available, and connect dispersed offices and laboratories.
Closer interaction:
Cloud-enabled collaboration technologies allow public employees to interact with their peers more efficiently. They also foster interagency cooperation, bringing related organizations into closer contact so they can serve
their constituents better and respond faster to emergencies. Additionally, agencies engaging in public-private partnerships can take advantage of collaboration applications to strengthen their ties to companies, private institutions, nongovernment or civil society organizations, and other stakeholders.
Effective Risk Mitigation
Despite some misgivings on the part of CIOs and other ICT professionals, cloud computing is not necessarily riskier than conventional computing models. Proven methods and technologies are in place to help ensure that systems run reliably, and that data and privacy are safeguarded.
With the right mix of cloud deployment models, managers can make sure that existing service-level agreements (SLAs) are maintained. In fact, cloud service providers can sometimes offer a higher level of service than some ICT groups can provide when they are constrained by limited resources.
Robust resilience:
Automated recovery can actually be easier to implement in a cloud environment because resources are more consolidated. Many organizations use their private cloud as a failover for a public cloud to increase esilience. In some cases, service providers may be able to respond to outages more quickly than internal ICT personnel.
Strong security:
In general, data in a cloud environment can be secured with as much confidence as can data in a closed enterprise network, provided the system is equipped with appropriate protective measures and is well maintained. Public organizations that have particularly strict security requirements may opt for a hybrid or private cloud implementation that provides more protection than a public cloud. And policy-based technologies such as role-based authentication are offering ICT managers powerful new options for safeguarding resources.
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