Cloud vs Server Computing

Team KMJ

Business Plan

Startup Company: Cloud vs. Server

By

Kevin M

Matt V

Joe N

Table of Contents

Overview…………………………………………………………………. 3

SWOT Analysis of the Cloud……………………………………………. 3-6

Internal Servers…………………………………………………………... 6-10

Cost……………………………………………………………………… 10-14

Conclusion

Overview

We at KMJ are a startup accounting firm looking into the choice of Cloud versus Server computing, storage, and platforms. We will analyze the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of each. After performing a SWOT analysis we will look into the costs of each and decide on what is best for our firm going forward.

SWOT Analysis of the Cloud

Before examining the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of cloud computing, it is first important to understand exactly what the term means. A very simple definition of cloud computing is that it is “a technology that uses the internet and central remote servers to maintain data and applications” (http://www.wikinvest.com/concept/Cloud_Computin g). Basically, the cloud allows users to access applications from any computer that has internet access. Businesses who implement a cloud based system would no longer need internal servers to store data, and employees would no longer have to install programs on particular machines to access company files.

Cloud computing can be broken down into three segments: infrastructure, platforms, and applications. Each of these segments offers different functions for businesses. Infrastructure as a Service, or IaaS, can provide storage, security, workload (of multiple computers) management, and networks. Platform as a Service, or PaaS, provides the infrastructure needed for developers to run their applications over the Internet without purchasing the hardware. Lastly, Software as a Service, or (SaaS), the cloud provider installs applications and allows users to access the software from cloud clients (Wikipedia...