CLOUD COMPUTING

Cloud computing describes computation, software, data access, and storage

services that do not require end-user knowledge of the physical location and
configuration of the system that delivers the services.

- Internet based computing where information and other IT resources are

provided to clients on demand as web services.
- A cloud computing model refers to both applications delivered as services
over the internet and the hardware and software system in the data
centers that provide those services.
- The services and the interfaces to access those services are the front end of
the model and hardware, software systems are the back end of the model.
- The users simply log into the clouds to access services.
- Details are abstracted from end-users, who no longer have need for
expertise in, or control over, the technology infrastructure "in the cloud"
that supports them.
- Other technologies used in cloud computing are virtualization, Service
oriented architecture, autonomic and utility computing.
LAYERS in Cloud Computing Model:

Client: A cloud client consists of hardware (computers, phones or other devices)

and software (Operating system and web browsers) which are specifically
designed for delivery of cloud services.
Application: Cloud application services or "Software as a Service (SaaS)" deliver
software as a service over the Internet, eliminating the need to install and run the
application on the customer's own computers and simplifying maintenance and
support.

Platform: Cloud platform services or "Platform as a Service (PaaS)" deliver a

computing platform and/or solution stack as a service, often consuming cloud
infrastructure and sustaining cloud applications. It facilitates deployment of
applications without the cost and complexity of buying and managing the
underlying hardware and software layers.

Infrastructure: Cloud infrastructure services, also known as "Infrastructure as a

Service (IaaS)", delivers computer infrastructure - typically a platform
virtualization environment - as a service. Rather than purchasing servers,
software, data-center space or network equipment, clients instead buy those
resources as a fully outsourced service.

SaaS offers a complete application as service and PaaS offers the ability to
develop an application, IaaS doesn’t care about the application at all, it provides
all the resources.
Server: The server layer consists of computer hardware and computer software
products that are specifically designed for the delivery of cloud services, including
multi-core processors, virtualization and other techniques etc.

DEPLOYMENT MODELS:

Public Cloud: A cloud service handled by the enterprise on its premises. Public
cloud provides the assurance of security and privacy but with higher costs

Private Cloud: Cloud services completely external to the enterprise and handled
by the third party service providers.

Hybrid Cloud: Hybrid clouds are the combination of some resources or

infrastructure available on premises of the enterprise and the services in the
external cloud.

ISSUES Associated with Cloud Computing:

These are some characteristics of the cloud based web services that a client
expects from the cloud provider.
Availability:

On demand services: Clients use cloud services only when they need to. No need
to keep them permanently. The user can buy the resources according to the
requirements at any particular point of time instead of buying the resources that
might not be used for months.

Elasticity and Scalability: Use of the computing resources can be expanded or

reduced on the basis of specific requirements. For example, a client may need a
large number of server resources for a specific task. Those resources can be
released after the task is completed.

Easy to use: No resource maintenance overhead a client can only use the
computing resources and does not manage them.

Lower Cost: Pay as you go plan, Clients only pay for the resources they use. It
may be short term as CPU time used or long term as in case of data storage in the
clouds. Cloud computing involves shifting the capital expenditures or buying and
installing servers, storage, networking and related infrastructure to operating
expenses where clients only pay for the resources used.

Device and Location independent: A client can access cloud based services from
anywhere irrespective of his\her location and the device being used. It can be a
PC or a mobile phone which can access internet.

Maintenance: All the resources used over the cloud are maintained by its
providers, with a little maintainability overhead on the cloud user.
Reliability & Liability: Users expect the cloud to be a reliable resource, especially
if a cloud provider takes over the task of running “mission-critical” applications
and will expect clear delineation of liability if serious problems occur.

Security, Privacy & Anonymity: A user expects prevention of unauthorized access

to both data and code, and that sensitive data will remain private. Users also
expect that the cloud provider, other third parties, and governments will not
monitor their activities. The only possible exception may be for cloud providers,
who may need to selectively monitor usage for quality control purposes.

Questions on using the cloud based ERP systems

Q1: Why should use cloud based ERP?

A1:

1- If IT investment is the major obstacle in implementing ERP in the enterprise

the cloud based ERP is a good alternative to use ERP.
2- No maintenance cost or overhead.
3- Pay on per user per month basis
4- You can use all the benefits of an ERP system without investing a big
amount.
5- Easy to use. You only need a device that can access internet. The system is
accessed via web browsers or other simple interfaces.