The Elements of Cloud Computing

Floating in the Clouds:

The Elements of Cloud Computing

BA685 eBusiness

Dr. Bari L. Courts

February 25, 2011

Abstract

Cloud computing is relatively new terminology, with new applications that are based off a technology that has been around since the first day of Web-based email. Small and large businesses, universities, and even some governments and their agencies are slowly abandoning the old way of computing and moving to the “Cloud”. Cloud computing concerns are minimal when compared to the beneficial applications offered to businesses and individuals alike. This paper explores how cloud computing works, different benefits cloud computing applications offer, and some concerns from operating “in the cloud”.

Floating in the Clouds:

The Elements of Cloud Computing

Eric Knorr and Galen Grumna (2009) exclaim that cloud computing is all the rage. “It becomes the phrase du jour,” says Gartner senior analyst Ben Pring. Cloud computing, in a raw form, has existed since users opened their first AOL, Hotmail, or Yahoo! email accounts. It was not labeled cloud computing, but rather Web-based email. This paper identifies how cloud computing works, the benefits, and concerns involved with adapting this system. Jonathan Strickland exclaims that the applications of cloud computing are practically limitless (2008); therefore, today numerous companies, institutions, and governments are streamlining processes and finding cost savings by switching to cloud computing.

The idea of cloud computing expands on the design of the Web-base email systems. Let us say you’re a manager of a division of a large corporation. As one of your responsibilities, you have to make sure all your workers have the right computer hardware and software they need to do their jobs. Part of that responsibility is to make sure software or software licenses are up to date on every computer system in your organization, not to mention purchasing new computers when hiring new employees,...