Web 2.0
Web 2.0 is an advancement of the initial World Wide Web (WWW) that only facilitated the viewing of web pages in static pages using the Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML) protocol. Subsequent to multiple improvements, Web 2.0 was launched and web pages quickly shifted in performance from the previous static forms and transformed into dynamic second generation form.
Under Web 2.0, users of the web are capable of collaboratively sharing information and content. As a result, web users engage in open communication and with the potential of forming web-based communities (Sankar & Bouchard, 2011). Good examples of sites that heavily employ Web 2.0 applications include the Wiki group, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and blogs. Web 2.0 allows virtual communities to share, collaborate, and interact via the use of user-generated content.
Cloud Computing
Cloud Computing is an integrated and interconnected system of networked computer servers that offer centralized information and data storage, access to such data, and resources that are essential for granting access to the gargantuan system which is collectively known as the Cloud. Cloud computing converges infrastructure by utilizing economies of scale over the internet networks. The Cloud facilitates efficient and effective sharing of resources. With centralized data and information storage, internet traffic is significantly reduced by eliminating redundancy and multiple copies of files (Flew, 2008).
How organizations use Web 2.0?
Businesses and organizations are quick to embrace the developmental milestones brought about by Web 2.0 and Cloud Computing. Since most organizations have a numerous workers who need to seamlessly share data and information in the process of executing their duties, solely relying on HTML content would result in inefficient ways of networking. A solution brought forward by Web 2.0 allows all members of an organization whose participation and skills are needed in the advancement and execution of business to seamlessly and instantaneously share information.
With the utilization of Web 2.0 tools, all that a corporation needs is the creation of organizational profiles. Afterwards, all crucial members are granted access to the company resources from their remote endpoints. Employees and management in conducting business where all parties share information and files via internet networks use this form of seamless interaction. Web 2.0 improves ways of conducting business since user interfaces allows the centralization of information, file sharing, video conferencing, and the sharing of application software.
How organizations use Cloud Computing?
Cloud computing reduces the time used to access information via the use of modern technologies for parallel computing and distribution of network resources. Grid computing is designed by clustering loosely coupled remote computers in a cluster and the aggregate combination forms a Cloud capable of performing immense tasks. With the implementation and utilization of cloud computing, organizations need not install and buy multiple software and hardware every time there is an increase in the workforce, a shift in workplace venue, or when an organization penetrates a new market.
Cloud computing offers access to corporations’ resources by use of a standard computer, which logs on to the corporation’s cloud sector where all data, information, and processes are held. This way, a cloud computing reduces the storage cost of organizations’ data and information, duplication of hardware and software, redundancy in corporate resources, and inefficiencies that may emanate from the bureaucracy in stand-alone computer systems (Viswanathan, 2014).
Benefits of using Web 2.0 and Cloud Computing
The Web 2.0 uses developed software such as JavaScript, jQuery, and Doc. Obj. Model in programming. The essence of these kinds of software is separating the client-side server into different regions and sectors. Each sector has the ability to receive unique commands. Therefore, select regions may interact differently and change with regard to the commands that have been invoked.
Document Object Models (DOMs) are collaborative and dynamic enough to structure data into interactive forms so that video, audio, and html are streamed concurrently. Further, Web 2.0 tools and software allows facilitate the creation of avenues for incoming and outgoing data concurrently. Given that any sector or cluster of a page may be updated separately, users interact with the web pages with respect to the commands made.
This is made possible by utilizing third party software and hardware, provided it is available in the Cloud Model. This agility results in cost reduction since corporations will pay lower fees for the use of such infrastructure as opposed to acquiring such resources.
Productivity is also increased since the cloud is centralized and all computing needs can be carried out from all locations at utmost efficacy. The cloud also acts as a safe storage of database information. With all resources being integrated at one point, very sophisticated firewalls and antimalware are installed that detect the slightest risk of malware and eliminate such threats.
The limitations of using Web 2.0 and Cloud Computing
Although cloud computing may be effective in introducing diversity, a corporation loses time taken in accessing its own data, especially when cloud servers are down or under maintenance. Business is often hampered when internet connections go slow or stop. Further, clouds serve multiple entities with storage and resource sharing needs and as a result increase the risk of data theft and other security threats.
References
Carstensen, J., Morgenthal, J. P. & Golden B. (2012). Cloud computing: Assessing the risks. United Kingdom: IT Governance Publishing.
Flew, Terry (2008). New Media: An Introduction. Melbourne: Oxford University Press.
Sankar, K. & Bouchard, S., A. (2011). Enterprise Web 2.0 Fundamentals. Pearson Education
Vishwanathan, P., (2014). Cloud Computing – Is it Really All That Beneficial?: Advantages and Disadvantages of Cloud Computing [Online]. Retrieved from: http://mobiledevices.about.com/od/additionalresources/a/Cloud-Computing-Is-It-Really-All-That-Beneficial.htm
