1. How will Cloud Computing change the traditional IT infrastructure?
Shifting to a cloud computing infrastructure requires careful consideration as it does not only affect the hardware and software needs and infrastructure of the organization, but it may also cause changes in internal IT processes and vendor relationships (Mark C., 2012). For example, this would reduce or change the responsibilities and tasks of the IT staff.
Organizations with a strict regulatory-driven environment, such as insurance companies and banks, would also need to have a concrete and thorough plan when migrating to a cloud-based system in order to ensure the security of the organization’s data and to ensure the organization’s ability to respond to future industry changes due to economic and political situations. On the other hand, small-to-medium sized businesses will be able to adapt more quickly and easily to cloud computing technology as the need for physical hardware would be eliminated. The services required by these organizations are also smaller, which make these services and the business’ management processes more flexible to change.
2. What are the current trends in computer hardware platforms?
Trends in hardware development gear towards the development of faster, smallerr, cheaper, and better hardware platforms (“Trends in computer hardware development,” n.d.), and these can is evident in the development of the mobile, grid computing, and cloud computing platforms.
Describe the evolving mobile platform, grid computing, and cloud computing.
The mobile platform is used in mobile devices such as smartphones and cell phones. These devices in turn can be used for data exchanges within an organization; for digital content displays; instant messaging; email; and Web browsing (“ISYS104 Tutorial – Week 6,” n.d.).
Grid computing, on the other hand, is a technology that enables the connection of computers that are geographically remote into one network that results in the creation of a virtual supercomputer, which has the combined computational power of all the computers on the grid.
Finally, cloud computing refers to a computing model where software applications and computing power is accessed over the Internet—using a Web browser -- instead of being purchased. Servers on the cloud consist of massive data centers that contain large amounts of data that anyone with an Internet connection and the proper security permissions can access.
Explain how businesses can benefit from autonomic computing, virtualization, green computing, and multicore processors.
Businesses can benefit from autonomic computing in that it will reduce or eliminate the need for IT staff. With autonomic computing, there would be less need for performing system administration and maintenance tasks as this technology enables systems to configure, optimize, tune, and repair themselves. This also enables the system to protect itself from external destruction and outside intruders. Aside from resulting in the reduction of maintenance costs, this technology also reduces down times from system crashes.
With virtualization, companies are able to centralize the administration of their hardware system. It also enables the company to run both legacy applications and newer applications using the same server. It increases the hardware resources’ utilization rate, reduces costs incurred from power consumption, and masks server resources from server users. It also allows multiple operating systems to be run at the same time.
With green computing, resources are conserved, resulting in less energy being needed to produce, use, and dispose of products (McNeal, 2006). It then leads to increased productivity, reduced costs, and even enables the company to do something good for the environment. Finally, the use of multi-processors allow businesses to save on costs that are incurred from hardware sprawl and power requirements. With fewer systems needing to be monitored, it also results in lower maintenance costs. They are more productive and provide better performance than single core processors and is capable of handling the massive growth of digital data and the Internet’s globalization. As well, it is capable of meeting the requirements imposed by new sophisticated software applications.
3. This service provides CRM (and related services) capabilities to customers from the cloud.
Now, if you are a prospect for this sort of service, what aspects of the cloud component would you see as beneficial. What concerns, if any? I would see the subscription-based service as beneficial as this makes sure that I pay only for what I use and do not waste resources. As such, it will be more cost efficient. I also like it that with services on the cloud, I will able to access the services I need whenever and from wherever as long as I have an Internet connection. Lastly, this would free me from having to worry about system administration and system down times as I know that someone oversees this 24/7. On the other hand, my concerns would be more on security issues, that is, what assurance do I have that my company’s data is being kept secure and private. As I have no physical control over the servers, I have no direct knowledge about how the cloud computing service provider is handling my company’s data.
4. What is IT infrastructure and what are its components?
Define IT infrastructure from both a technology and a services perspective. List and describe the components of IT infrastructure that firms need to manage. The IT infrastructure components that need to be managed include Internet platforms; computer hardware platforms; operating systems platforms; enterprise software applications; networking and telecommunications; the consultants and system integrators and the data management and storage systems.
Internet platforms provide the environment where Web applications can run. Computer hardware platforms refer to the actual machines needed to run the different software applications. Operating systems platforms provide an environment where enterprise software applications can run, and the enterprise software applications enable the flow, access, and processing of information within the organization.
Networking and telecommunications systems allow for the computers in the organization to be interconnected and also allow for internal and external communication. Consultants and system integrators are needed for the proper integration of the various systems in the organization (ERP, KMS, CRM, etc.), and data management and storage systems are needed for the proper handling of and access to the vast amounts of data that the organizations keeps and maintains.
References
Mark C. Cloud technologies are changing the IT landscape. Retrieved from http://www.theserverside.com/feature/Cloud-Technologies-are-Changing-the-IT-Landscape
McNeal, R. (2006). The advantages of green computing for businesses and individuals.
Retrieved from http://www.internetionalmedia.com/Article/The-Advantages-of-Green-Computing-For-Businesses-and-Individuals/6007
Trends in computer hardware development. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.wilsonhurst.com/grap/2030/09%20-%20Hardware%20trends.pdf
