Importance of Cloud Computing to Public and Private Firms Term Paper

Importance of Cloud Computing to Public and Private Firms - Term Paper Example This study looks into cloud, one of the new innovations in the information age. It involves transferring, capturing, processing, and exchanging information via the services of another organization. Although there is no exact definition to the term cloud computing, it refers to the many applications in the computing business that is provided by a cloud computing provider. The user acquires the services of hardware and software of another organization. It is easy and cheap because you don’t need a computer and software in doing your computing. When an organization does cloud computing, it is able to access computer programs and services via the Internet. There are many websites and datacenters that provide computer applications. Cloud computing makes things easier for public and private firms. Cloud computing has lately been a popular topic among businesses and organizations that make use of the Internet and its applications in their business activities. It is an IT terminology that has stuck in the ever-growing world of Information Technology. Although it is new, it is becoming a trend. There is no exact definition to cloud computing, its meaning is as cloudy as its name but there are explanations that are near its meaning. When a company employs the services of a cloud provider, this company is able to access programs and computer services by way of the Internet. The service is hosted by another company and the services are paid by the private company which has access to the files and programs. Many companies have resorted to and are now dependent on cloud providers. But Richard Stallman said that people and businesses should not depend too much on cloud computing. Organizations that provide cloud computing have the hardware and software and sometimes they too can close shop without necessary warning. (Ambrust et al. 3) There are websites and datacenters that provide computer applications and this can be applied to firms. This is known as Software as a S ervice (SaaS). The website or company offering this service is known as a cloud. Various applications and services offered by these websites and data centers include translations, marketing, and other services. General Scope of Cloud Computing The field of IT involves hardware and software. Hardware refers to computers, servers and related equipment, while software refers to operating systems and other applications for various functions. A combination of hardware and software is called IT infrastructure. The infrastructure needs a support staff or people to man the equipment and operate the different functions. The support staff is called the IT support organization which is responsible for implementing, operating and supporting IT. An organization’s IT infrastructure is supported and operated by employees and procedures that will build and operate the IT. These systems allow the firm to meet its primary objectives, such as acquiring profits, minimizing unnecessary costs, imp roving functions, enhancing customer loyalty, and fast tracking supply chain. (Reynolds 17) An organization can have these services without spending a lot through a cloud computing provider. A cloud provider performs computing to private and public companies. The user uses various applications provided by an organised company with all the amenities of computers. Computer services provided by cloud computing are