CASE STUDY 1: Memo To The CIO Why we need to implement Cloud Computing

Memo To The CIO: Why we need to implement Cloud Computing

[Instructor’s Name]

[Affiliate]

[Author’s note]

From: INFRASTRUCTURE ENGINEER

To: CIO

Subject: Moving to Cloud Computing Technology

Over the past two years we have experienced an increase in the number of customers who have shown a lot interest in using our services. Last year alone, we registered a total three hundred new customers. Every new client means more demand space, bandwidth and support allocation. With our technical infrastructure remaining constant, services continue to slow down since the increasing number of clients fight to utilize the available resources. This is the reason why we have had complaints from customers over our services getting slow.

This means that if we were to serve each customer efficiently and satisfactorily, the increasing number of customers means the company also increases its infrastructure every now and then. This could mean buying more powerful and expensive devices year-in-year-out in order to satisfy customer needs. We should also put in mind that the utilization of our services fluctuates. There are times when we use a lot of bandwidth and other times when we use the least depending on the time of the year. This means that buying expensive servers is not the best alternative economically. This has therefore prompted us to consider other options that will serve us and our our customers best as well as considering the economical impacts that come along with them.

Among the many options we thought of, we found cloud computing handy in serving our expanding needs. With this technology, we will not be needed to buy new expensive servers every time we get new customers or when when we need intensive services. We will have a freedom of service utilization depending on the needs. This memo, therefore, explains to you the importance of switching to the cloud technology.

Introduction

Cloud computing is in its simple terms is computing over the Internet. This is a kind of technology that allows companies and users to access services such as servers, applications, storage facilities and technology platforms over the Internet. A third party company has made it their work to have the powerful devices and provide these services for interested companies. Through the introduction of virtualization technology, these third party companies are able to provide massive and expansive services depending on the needs of individual companies. This are the same services that these companies could get by buying and installing there own infrastructure within their buildings, which is now considered a traditional and expensive method of implementing technology.

Virtualization, as the name suggests, is creating non-physical element of something. In computing terms, it means the ability to simulate a physical hardware and create virtual machines out of it. A virtualization software is used to achieve this. This is a technology that cloud computing uses. This is the reason why cloud services are scalable and cheaper. Cloud computing is currently considered the thing to embrace. It is fast becoming normal. Estimates had shown that by the end of 2015, 90% of businesses in UK would be using at least a cloud service.

Advantages of cloud computing

Scalability

As stated earlier, our company has been witnessing a growth of customers wanting our services. Many customers lower technology performance unless the infrastructure is improved to accommodate all of them efficiently. This could mean buying more powerful servers which are again expensive. Even though we decide to buy, we should also put into considerations the fact that not every time of the year that we have big demands. With the cloud technology, we are able to be given services depending on our needs, depending on our fluctuating bandwidth and storage demands.

More productivity and profits.

Since a third party is involved in taking care of our servers, we get more time to concentrate on our day-to-day activities. This eliminates the worry of failing network or servers and we have to look for an IT expert to check into them. We do not also have to worry about our fluctuating needs. This, therefore, means that we are able to save the money that otherwise we could be paying such IT personnel in the company. We also save the money that could have been needed to buy dig powerful expensive servers as well rent the space that this servers occupy.

Paying for cloud services is cheaper that buying and installing new infrastructure since we will only pay for what we have used. Making payments can be monthly, quarterly or even yearly depending on the agreements with the service providers. Another good thing also is that we do not have to worry about the introduction of new technological devices and softwares in the market that could as well be expensive in renewing our systems. With this we will realize good savings.

Work anywhere

Cloud computing is computing over the Internet. Once you have access to the Internet and your laptop wherever you may be, you can access your service and work at the comfort of your home. This definitely involves services and support to the customer. You do not have to be physically present in the office to to do your work, unless it is something that demands a face-to-face chat.

Data storage, backup and disaster recovery

Data storage, backup and recovery services is extremely mandatory for any serious business. However, For small businesses to implement such robust structure is quite expensive. It also require expensive expertise. Cloud computing has made this achievable to them.

Disadvantages of cloud computing

The major cons associated with cloud computing are downtime, security and privacy and vulnerability to attack. Downtime can occur when they are doing upgrades to the services, which is always expected. The providers communicate to their clients does not always take long. Most of the upgrades are also done at night. Security and privacy concerns come about the fact that the provider technically have access to the services they provide. However, private clouds have taken care of these, especially with sensitive information. Since the services are accessed over the Internet, they could be subjects to attacks. However, avoiding password logins, tightening firewall and implementing up-to-date anti-virus software are some of the techniques that can be used to enhance security.

Implementation

We already have one server that handles our needs but is is getting overwhelmed, thus the needs for cloud services. The first thing to do is to research about the service providers within the country and to compare the kind of packages they offer. We can also weigh them with the international providers. This will require only one person to do this research and make a report of the findings. This might also involves getting in touch with the providers to have a one-on-one discussions to understand their services. This might then means allocating a small amount of money that well cater for transport purposes.

The research person will compile a report which we will then use to decide which provider to go for. Once we decide on the provider and reach an understanding, they will then setup for us all that we require. When this is ready, we will be required to move the data from our small server to the cloud server. To avoid downtime, we will consider a real time replication so that we do not affect our services. There will be very minimal training on our users since they are all conversant with the Internet. We may also be forced to reduce our IT personnel since we will be getting most of the support from the provider’s support system.

Conclusion

From the advantages that the cloud offers, it become the best alternative other that buying new more powerful devices. The few challenges is has can also be worked on as described while discussing the disadvantages of cloud computing. All the same, its benefits supersedes the challenges. We will be able to realize flexibility in working, scalability, improved savings and be assured of data recovery. It is my hope that you find this as the better way to go so that we ensure efficient, effective and reliable services to our customers as well as realize economical improvements.