Cloud Computing and Virtualization - Term Paper Example

Author’s Name Instructors’ Name Course Date Сlоud Сомрuтing And Virtuаlizаtiоn Overview Of Cloud Computing In general terms cloud computing is the use of a single software application that allows users to log into a Web-based service which hosts all programs that are needed by a given company or organization (Erl et al. 2013). In other words, instead of an employer buying computers for every employee in a workplace or installing software for each computer, the employer only need to load one application. In this way, all authorized users will need the log in details to access the services or specific information of the company. However, in order to ensure the process is safely regulated, the remote machines that are owned by another company are used to run everything ranging from word processing to email a well as complex data analysis programs. Consequently, one will not need to store the company’s information in a computer hard drive. Notably, the word “cloud” is used as a metaphor for the internet. This could be traced back to the days when flowcharts as well as presentation would be used to represent a gigantic server-farm infrastructure of the internet as a puffy and white cumulonimbus cloud that would accept connections and dole out information as it floated (Antonopoulos & Gillam 2010). Critically to not be that when one stores data on or runs programs from the hard drive, it is termed computing of local storage. Therefore, everything that one needs would be physically close meaning that accessing one’s data is easy and fast through that one computer or others within the local network, which makes others believe that this process is superior compared to cloud computing. For decades, working off one’s hard drive is how computer industry functions. Evidently, “cloud” does not only mean having a committed network attached storage (NAS) server in residence or hardware (Antonopoulos & Gillam 2010). Storage of data on office or home network cannot be counted as making use of cloud. However, some of the available NAS can let one to remotely access stuff over the Internet. In order to be considered as “cloud computing” one needs to access the data or programs over the internet or even have the same data synchronized with other relevant information on the Web. In a large company or business, one may know everything available on the other side of the connection. however, as an individual user, one may not be able to have any idea on what type of massive data processing that might be happening on the other end. Therefore, the results of both methods are the same such that if one has online connection cloud computing can be done anytime and anywhere. The above explanation mostly reflects on the application of cloud computing to individual’s consumers or people with home or small to medium-sized businesses. However, large businesses can use entirely different cloud such as the installation of Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), where a business is required to subscribe to an application that it accesses on the internet (Antonopoulos & Gillam 2010). Further, in some cloud computing services, an organization can build its own custom applications that can be used by all personnel in the company such as the Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS). In another example, the mighty Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) provides a platform on which mighty companies such as Microsoft, Amazon, Google, as well as Rackspace offer a backbone that can be "rented out" to other companies. For instance, Netflix offers its services to its clients since it is one of the customers of cloud services at Amazon. Examples of Non-Cloud Based Applications With the development of technology, there are thousands of applications, which are intended in offering different services to different types of clients and industries. The following are only some few non-cloud applications: WebEx, CrazyEgg, Jamiq, Donor Tools, and eClinical. Based on the above list, I would recommend the use of eClinical application since it is purposely aimed at providing services to health sector. For example, the eClinicalWorks’ Practice Management platform offers scheduling mechanisms for the users as well as assisting in the financial reporting in the healthcare services. At the same time, this feature helps in the verification of addresses and eligibility, which would be applicable in GP-Clinics. Benefits of Using Cloud Computing Services for GP-Clinics As noted above there are many reasons why organizations use cloud-computing services. In the case GP-Clinics, the main reason is that the massive data input due to increased health centers and practitioners in the country could be tasking for the management. Secondly, secure cloud computing services will provide adequate privacy and protection of confidential information. Thirdly, increase clients and employees can use the platforms in accessing services. Fourthly, the platform will offers scheduling mechanisms for the users as well as assisting in the financial reporting in the healthcare services for GP-Clinics. lastly, GP-Clinics will be able to reduce its expenses and time wastage as the data will be controlled by a remote machine owned by another company. Benefits and Risks of the specific providers for Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, and Google. Understandably, the lines that exist between local computing as well as cloud computing mostly get very blurry since cloud computing means almost everything in today computer industry (Erl et al. 2013). notably, many cloud-computing services have been started online, which creates more competition in attempts to provide quality services to users. As described below every cloud computing service has its benefits and risks involved. The following section will provide the benefits and risks of cloud storage services that are specific to the Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, and Google. Microsoft Dynamics CRM Microsoft Dynamics CRM was first released dint the market in 2003 (Erl et al. 2013). However, many Microsoft Dynamics CRM have been released since then. The latest version of Microsoft Dynamics CRM is the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2016, which is now in the market. Microsoft Dynamics CRM is recognized in the industry as one of the market leaders with most recent honors as the winner in CRM magazine's Market Leader Awards in four categories which include Small Business CRM Suite, Midmarket CRM Suite, Enterprise CRM Suite, and Sales Force Automation. The systems has over the years offered cloud computing solutions to various industries which include financial services, government, retail, health care, professional services, manufacturing, and education (Buyya et al. 2013). Some of the key services offered by Microsoft Dynamics CRM are marketing planning and automation, sales force automation, analytics, social listening and engagement, and customer service including robust field services solutions and call center services (Erl et al. 2013). however, despite all these benefits, Microsoft Dynamics CRM may be challenging to integrate with other CRM thus becoming risky for business people with such CRM in their systems. Apple’s iCloud iCloud is a cloud computing and storage service from the Apple Inc., which was started in October 2011 (Erl et al. 2013). Currently, the serves is used by over 782 million people and entities. iCloud provides its users with ways of storing data such as photos, documents, and music through remote servers for downloading to Macintosh, windows, and iOS. Some of the benefits of using iCloud is that the system has unlimited storage capacity for users. Secondly, one can play media content including videos and music. At the same time, users can use the system to back up and restore data on all the apple products. Finally, one need not use the USB chord in synchronizing information. although iCloud is a free service, there is high risk on privacy and security. Additionally, if one purchases Cd songs or tracks through iTunes, it will not be possible to send them to iCloud and hence to any other devices. Amazon EC2 Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2) refers to a web service that offers resizable compute capacity in the cloud (Erl et al. 2013). The objective of Amazon EC2 is to make it less challenging for developers in web-scale cloud computing. Besides, one of the main benefits of Amazon EC2 is its elastic Web-scale computing. Amazon EC2 enables users to have and configure capacity with reduced friction (Antonopoulos & Gillam 2010). Therefore, users can increases or decrease their capacity within minute instead of hours or days. The user can simultaneously commission as many of instances of servers as possible. at the same time, since everything is controlled by the web service APIs, one’s application can scale itself up as well as down automatically based on the needs of the application. The other advantage of Amazon EC2 is that it is completely controlled when it comes to regulating one’s instances. This way, one has root access to each instance. At the same, it is possible to interact with all instances, as one would do with any machine. The Amazon EC2 has flexible cloud hosting services, which provides users with multiple type’s software packages and operating systems. This way, users are able to select a configuration of CPU, memory, instance storage as well as boot partitioning size, which is optimal for one’s choice of operating application and system. Conversely, one of the risks that a businessperson may take is that using Amazon Web Services requires hard-core developer. in other words, Amazon EC2 may be too complicated making it challenging for some users. Google Drive As is the case with other cloud computing platforms, Google Drive is a platform that allows users to share data (Erl et al. 2013) the system resembles Skydrive as well as Dropbox in many ways although it seamlessly integrated with Gmail, synchronized with Google plus and Google Docs. Additionally, Google Drive enables users to store their data in a single place, which can be accessed at any time. Besides these benefits, the system has its own mobile application and in built search engine, among other benefits. Just like iCloud, Google Drive is prone to security and privacy issues due to different ways in which data can be accessed. Cloud Storage Recommendation In references to the above cloud computing options, it would be prudent that GP-Clinics use Microsoft Dynamics CRM. the availability of different features in the system will enhance the medical management in the health facility by facilitating proper compiling and recording patient’s information. at the same time, users in the GP-Clinics will be offered with the benefit of not having to build interfaces to the external systems or buying and entering the information more than once. Additionally, Microsoft Dynamics CRM software will be instrumental in ensuring that the GP-Clinics users of the platform can chart better, thus improving efficient exchange of information between patients and healthcare givers. Finally, since Microsoft Dynamics CRM can easily be customized, the inbuilt system will allow physicians to use specialty templates and tools that meet the requirements in a health facility. References Antonopoulos, N., & Gillam, L. (2010). Cloud computing: principles, systems and applications. London, Springer. Buyya, R., Vecchiola, C., & Selvi, S. T. (2013). Mastering cloud computing: foundations and applications programming. London, Springer. Erl, T., Puttini, R., & Mahmood, Z. (2013). Cloud computing: concepts, technology, & architecture. Rockland, Massachusetts: Syngress Read More