Technology has revolutionized how businesses carry out their operations. This has led to the development of online based platforms that have helped to decentralize resources in order to meet the growing demand and adoption in the use of innovative business solutions. Cloud computing is one such innovative solution that most companies have adopted to enable them scale their operations.
Cloud computing is a technology that uses large scale computing paradigms, which presents applications in abstract forms and at the same time allow for virtualization and dynamicity in order to support scalability in order to allow external customers adjust as demand grows (Antonopoulos & Gillam, 2010). This cloud based platform improves efficiency and enables businesses to automate their processes. It consists of virtual servers, applications as well as data communication networks that form the backbone of the infrastructure. The virtual servers are machines located in remote locations, which hosts a number of applications, and supports the software as a service model. The communication network integrates users with the databases in the servers, in order to allow communication to take place.
The cloud platform occurs in different configurations, which is mainly determined by the organization’s needs. The organization can implement the software as a service model in a private cloud, to ensure that all organizational information and data are safe, due the likelihood of such being vulnerable to security breaches. The cost factor being an important metric, that determines the type of IT infrastructure to be deployed, can be cut down by using an alternative in order to reduce the initial setup and maintenance costs. This makes it secure and cost effective compared to building and owning complex computing facilities such as data centers.
Cloud computing infrastructure generally leverages setup and operational costs that are incurred by setting up complex computing platforms, since software as a service is less costly because the organization only purchases a package that suits its budget and operations. This can hence suit the business in instances where there are promotional activities which only last for a short duration.
Medium sized businesses can implement such a platform in order to automate marketing and advertising campaigns, through the use of cloud based applications. The private cloud model enables the organization’s resources to be easily available since it supports complex operations. The private cloud is deployed and metered by the business itself, which can help it carry out strategic activities aimed at spearheading the activities of the marketing and advertising departments.
Apart from this, it can be synchronized with other cloud based applications, as a strategic tool in the market place to advance marketing and advertising activities, in order to sustain and enhance customer centric activities that add value to the business (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2009). For instance, Cloud computing through the smart cloud concept helps businesses carry out viral marketing campaigns. This is due to its scalability and interoperability with most computing devices, and the underlying storage structures such as the data center that has the capability of accommodating information and traffic outbursts. Cloud computing as a technology is more appropriate than the traditional marketing campaign methods, since the deployed infrastructure can support millions of users, due to the shared nature with the cloud application software’s.
On the other hand, the cloud based platform and other virtualized resources are other good platforms that can suite marketing campaigns. Marketing can be scaled up easily since the platform can be configured to allow for real-time communication with other cloud based applications, which can help in marketing by enabling people to interact freely. This feature can enable an organization to meet the demand of up to 1000 users, concurrently accessing and using the platform. The concurrent access and use of such a platform, is due to its flexibility that can allow marketing professionals to be in constant communication through the cloud applications. As such, it strengthens the relationship between customers, in order to increase productivity as well as enhance intimacy with the customers.
The software as a service platform offers immense operational flexibility, through automatic and flexible updates. This is because these applications are able to pull automatic updates from central servers in virtual locations. This is facilitated through an automatic pull of new software patches, as well as versions from the supporting servers. This enables mobile devices to easily install updates that are critical in ensuring optimal performance. The cloud computing concept is much beneficial in marketing campaigns, which is a core activity in most businesses. On the other hand, the platform can easily be re-configured to due to changes in functionalities. This can be done through adding modules, to improve efficiency and performance in production environments.
Cloud computing is a concept that will become indispensable in the computing world. It is becoming beneficial as it suits today’s needs in scalability, in terms of being able to accommodate an increase in traffic, as well as enhancing productivity and resiliency in many departmental units of an organization. The trends in the use of cloud computing will increase due to the privacy aspect, as well as operational excellence brought about by the platform.
References
Antonopoulos, N., & Gillam, L. (2010). Cloud computing: Principles, systems and applications. London: Springer.
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. (2009). Innovation in the Software Sector. Paris: OECD Pub.
