Cloud Computing Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Cloud Computing - Research Paper Example The only requirements for a person to access the applications include a computer system and an internet connection. â€Å"As long as a computer has Internet access it will be able to use the application† (Cheow 2010). Categories of Cloud Computing Cloud computing falls into three major categories, which include utility computing, web services, and Software-as-a-Service. SaaS SaaS is the simplest way of computing because it is a single application. Cheow (2010) states, â€Å"Because there is only one application it is very easy for the company to maintain†. SaaS model helps companies save their expenses on buying hardware and software. This model also removes the maintenance costs of the computer systems and applications. â€Å"This type of cloud computing delivers a single application through the browser to thousands of customers using a multitenant architecture† (Knorr & Gruman, n.d.). Utility Computing If we talk about utility computing, we can say that it is, at present, a supplemental kind of computing because it is used for the fulfillment of such needs that are not very critical in nature. â€Å"Early enterprise adopters mainly use utility computing for supplemental, non-mission-critical needs, but one day, they may replace parts of the datacenter† (Knorr & Gruman, n.d.). Web Services The third type of cloud computing .i.e. ... Importance of Cloud Computing Unlike traditional business applications, cloud computing eliminates the issues of hardware and software failure for its users. In traditional settings, companies need to install, configure, test, and run every application on their own. However, with cloud computing, companies run their business processes in the form of clouds where they do not need to worry about any technical failure or information misuse. Using cloud-computing system, an industry can experience a considerable amount of workload shift because many of the tasks are performed online. Strickland (n.d.) states, â€Å"Local computers no longer have to do all the heavy lifting when it comes to running applications†. Disadvantages of Cloud Computing Along with a number of advantages of cloud computing, there also exist negative aspects of using cloud-computing services. Two of the drawbacks of cloud computing include security and privacy concerns and loss of control due to increased de pendency. Security is the biggest concern because users of cloud computing services usually do not feel safe while sending their private data to the cloud service providers. Moreover, increased dependency on cloud service providers is also a negative aspect of cloud computing. Companies Providing Cloud-Computing Services In traditional settings, companies need to design, configure, implement, and maintain the business applications. They need to hire experts who can perform the role of application development but with cloud computing, companies run their business processes in the form of clouds where they do not need to worry about any technical failure related to hardware and software. There exist some cloud-computing services providers, which provide management services, such