Cloud Computing Characteristics

1. Cloud Computing Characteristics • A service provided by large internet-based specialised data centres that offers storage, processing and computer resources to individuals and organisations. • The services are shared, on-demand and simple to use. • Pay for use and as needed, elastic (scale up and down in capacity and functionalities); “always on!” • Eg. Google’s gmail uses cloud computing processing powers and storage facilities; Zoho offers tools to businesses including web conferencing , applications and project-management tools.

2. Cloud Computing Public Cloud, where a business can access web services via a third party.

3. Cloud Computing Services: • Virtual IT, (computers and storage); use of a cloud company’s servers as virtual servers which are extensions to a company’s local IT network store. • Software development, use of software development tools, facilities & other services provided by the cloud company to develop custom-built applications that will run on the cloud company’s servers • Software use, a cloud company with licenses software developed by the cloud company for customers to use.

4. Examples of cloud computing • Google docs; create & edit word processing, spreadsheet and presentation documents online and share access with others • Skype; provides free video/audio phone calls to other skype users • QuickBooks Online, free service allowing financial information to be processed and stored online so that company personnel with permission can access & share information • Online computer games • Online backup

5. Advantages of Cloud Computing • Lower costs: Don’t need: • high-powered and high-priced computer to run cloud computing's web-based applications. • Since applications run in the cloud, not on the desktop PC, your desktop PC does not need the processing power or hard disk space • No maintenance, technical personnel necessary to keep a data centre up and running • utility bills and capital expense investments for power and cooling • contract and account people to keep track of all the various licenses, leases, etc. • When you are using web-based applications, your PC can be less expensive • Reduced software costs • Simple and easy to use; only need a computer, browser & internet connection

6. Advantages of Cloud Computing • Instant software updates: • When the application is web-based, updates happen automatically - available the next time you log into the cloud. • When you access a web-based application, you get the latest version - without needing to pay for or download an upgrade. • Improved document format compatibility. • You do not have to worry about the documents you create on your machine being compatible with other users' applications or operating systems. • Where Word 2007 documents cannot be opened on a computer running Word 2003, all documents can be read! • There are potentially no format incompatibilities when everyone is sharing documents and applications in the cloud. mark.baker@computer.org

7. Advantages of Cloud Computing • Unlimited storage capacity: • Cloud computing offers virtually limitless storage. • Increased data reliability: • Unlike desktop computing, in which if a hard disk crashes and destroy all your valuable data, a computer crashing in the cloud should not affect the storage of your data. • That also means that if your personal computer crashes, all your data is still out there in the cloud, still accessible. • In a world where few individual desktop PC users back up their data on a regular basis, cloud computing is a data-safe computing platform!

8. Advantages of Cloud Computing • Easier group collaboration: • Sharing documents leads directly to better collaboration. • Many users do this as it is an important advantages of cloud computing - multiple users can collaborate easily on documents and projects. • Because the documents are hosted in the cloud, not on individual computers, all you need is an Internet connection, and you are collaborating. • Device independence. • You are no longer tethered to a single computer or network. • Changes to computers, applications and documents follow you through the cloud. • Move to a portable device, and your applications and documents are still available. • Universal access to data anywhere & anytime mark.baker@computer.org

9. Advantages Key Word • CASHMEC • Costs of software, hardware • Storage & security • Anywhere, anytime access • Easy to use • M, no maintenance • C, Collaboration • H, Hardware, scalability

10. Disadvantages of Cloud Computing • Requires a constant Internet connection: • Cloud computing is impossible if you cannot connect to the Internet. • A dead Internet connection means no work and in areas where Internet connections are few or inherently unreliable this is a problem • When you are offline, cloud computing simply does not work. • Need to install redundant internet connections

11. Disadvantages of Cloud Computing • Does not work well with low-speed connections: • Similarly, a low-speed Internet connection, such as that found with dial-up services, makes cloud computing painful at best and often impossible. • Web-based applications require a lot of bandwidth to download, as do large documents. • Can be slow: • Even with a fast connection, web-based applications can sometimes be slower than accessing a similar software program on your desktop PC. • Everything about the program, from the interface to the current document, has to be sent back and forth from your computer to the computers in the cloud. mark.baker@computer.org

12. Disadvantages of Cloud Computing • Software capabilities • Today many web-based applications simply are not as full-featured as their desktop-based applications. • For example, you can do a lot more with Microsoft PowerPoint than with Google Presentation's web-based offering. • Availability & Service Levels • One of the most common concerns regarding cloud computing is the potential for down-time if the system isn't available for use. • Lack of control • Staff training required mark.baker@computer.org

13. Disadvantages of Cloud Computing • Privacy, Stored data might not be secure: • With cloud computing, all your data is stored on the cloud. • Can unauthorised users gain access to your confidential data? • Cloud computing companies say that data is secure, but it is too early to be completely sure of that. • Only time will tell if your data is secure in the cloud. • Data loss, Stored data can be lost: • Theoretically, data stored in the cloud is safe, replicated across multiple machines. • But on the off chance that your data goes missing, you have no physical or local backup. • Put simply, relying on the cloud puts you at risk if the cloud lets you down.

14. Disadvantages – Key word • PADDLLSS • P, Privacy • A, Availability and speed of connection • D, Data loss • D, Data ownership • L, lack of control • L, legal issues, operate in different countries • S, staff, training of staff • S, Software capabilities, less than purchased