Future of Cloud Computing Essay
The Future of Cloud Computing
Introduction
There has been an increase in cloud adoption by companies over the past few years. Currently, many entities are rushing to store their data on the cloud because they view it enhances innovation. In the present assignment, the views of authors of three academic sources: Bowles (2013), Siclovan (2012), and Abualkibash and Elleithy (2012), concerning cloud computing have been analyzed. Cloud computing will become more expansive and powerful in the future because it is extremely beneficial to companies and individuals.
Summary
According to Bowles (2013), it is difficult to predict the future of computing because computers evolve and change very quickly. However, most people believe that the future shape of computing will entail cloud computing systems. The cloud depicts an internet space where people can store and retrieve data and install applications. It has four advantages. First, it exists online, relieving computers of complex operating systems to boot. Second, it makes computer malware and viruses almost nonexistent. Additionally, it allows users to access programs and data from any web-enabled device. Finally, it eliminates the need to update or install the software. The cloud also has some limitations (Bowles, 2013). For instance, some programs may be too powerful or complex to be operated online effectively. Second, it possesses some privacy threats, as data can be easily accessed online. Third, the programs cannot be used without the internet. Finally, it may be unproductive during internet outages.
Siclovan (2012), predicts that cloud computing will be the new way of providing computer and internet services. As a system, cloud computing entails the transition from computers to offering services to customers using online programs. It has several advantages for firms. First, it will help organizations to reduce computer maintenance costs and the cost of acquiring IT infrastructure. Additionally, cloud computing will emerge as an efficient service provider as it will enable companies and employees to used their devices to access the data from different locations. Siclovan (2012) treats cloud computing as a major facility for different industries because it will enable businesses to offer a range of services such as product management, testing, manufacturing, and design. It will also make it possible for organizations to visualize their performance and increase the efficiency of their services. Notably, the system can impose additional costs on consumers by forcing them to purchase or subscribe to online programs.
Abualkibash and Elleithy (2012), suggest that the IT sector will be reshaped by cloud computing in the future. Some companies that provide cloud services include Microsoft, Yahoo, IBM, Google, and Amazon. The companies install the services on their visualized servers and allow their customers to access them over the internet. The primary difference between the classic rented servers and cloud computing relates to the payment and contract models. In cloud services, customers tend to pay for the used services such as data usage and CPU-hours. The main advantage of internet computing is that companies do not have to purchase hardware to access the services (Abualkibash & Elleithy, 2012). Some limitations of cloud computing include privacy and security challenges, high cost of data communication and high power consumption.
Analysis of the Authors’ Point of View
In chapter 9, Bowles (2013) argues that people and businesses will move from using computer hardware and software to cloud computing. Companies can enjoy many benefits by practicing cloud computing. For example, in the book, Bowles explains that by adopting cloud computing, customers receive some services like data storage from the internet. Because cloud computing programs are not stored in personal computers, it does not burden computers with complex systems to run. Provided that the cloud is protected, the computers will be safe from viruses and malware. It also allows employees to access the servers and conduct their duties in different locations. However, Bowles (2013) also presents some limitations of the system such as loss of privacy and the inability to host some intricate and powerful programs. Furthermore, the author argues that internet outages can hamper the operations of internet-based programs. Notably, Bowles does not explain how consumers and service providers can address these limitations.
With the development of cloud computing, companies do not have to buy their software and computer hardware to avail services to their customers. Abualkibash and Elleithy (2012) argue that cloud computing is a theoretical concept. The authors have focused on virtualization as a critical concept in cloud computing. Ideally, virtualization allows organizations to share applications or resources with multiple users. However, Abualkibash and Elleithy (2012) have not discussed the types of virtualization such as storage, server, hardware, and operating system virtualizations, and how they can affect cloud computing. They have only warned that people should be cautious of different challenges that come with cloud computing, such as loss of privacy and security, the increase in the cost of communication, and high power consumption.
In addition to agreeing that organizations will transfer from computer hardware and software to cloud computing in the future, Siclovan (2012) has proceeded to examine the future perspectives in cloud computing. According to him, cloud systems have several strengths that scholars have not discussed. For instance, many organizations will adopt cloud computing in the future because it will help in increasing efficiency and reducing operational and maintenance costs. Although developing a cloud system entails some additional costs, it will allow small enterprises to sell their services quickly and easily. It can make companies more competitive by providing them with the right infrastructure to reduce market transaction time. Siclovan (2012) also agrees that cloud systems enhance virtualization. The author outlines four characteristics of virtualization: independence of placement sites, increased adaptability and flexibility, independence from infrastructure, and the ability to hide the infrastructure complexity. However, Siclovan does not examine whether virtualization may have some disadvantages such as security risks, high implementation costs, and scalability issues.Points of Agreement and Disagreement Among the Three Authors
The three scholars believe people and businesses will move to cloud computing in the future. They agree that cloud computing offers companies and individuals with many benefits, such as allowing them to set up virtual offices that give them the flexibility to connect to their businesses any time anywhere. With the growing number of devices that can access the web, such as tablets and smartphones, companies can easily access their data. The three scholars also caution users that cloud computing may have some disadvantages. The common limitation cited by the three authors relates to privacy implications. Consumers may have no control over their data hosted by the cloud service providers. Thus, third parties may monitor their browsing behavior without their consent.
While Bowles (2013) feels that cloud computing is cost-effective because users are only required to pay for programs once and access them online, Siclovan (2012) maintains that companies may incur additional costs when adopting cloud systems. Such costs may relate to the improvement of local infrastructure or the adaptation to the interfaces of the host system. Besides, according to Bowles (2013), some complex programs must be installed and operated by personal computers. However, Siclovan (2012) predicts that IT systems will continue to improve if small and big firms adopt the cloud system. The cloud system will also improve and become more robust and effective in providing different services. The improvements may enable firms to host complex programs such as graphics with heavy computations on the cloud.
My Point of View
The field of IT has continued to experience rapid growth in the past few decades, making it challenging even for tech-savvy professionals to keep up with the advancements. As I explained in the previous discussion, “the most common emerging trends in the IT industry are virtual reality and artificial intelligence.” Furthermore, cloud computing has altered the way business practices are being conducted. In the past, firms could run their applications on local servers or computers in their office premises. However, currently, cloud systems allow organizations to access the same applications from any geographical location. Cloud platforms have helped several businesses to manage their workloads efficiently.
As stated in my previous discussion, the current job-market is technology-focused. Therefore, “people must be computer literate to be successful in their careers.” By becoming computer literate, employees will be able to adopt effective measures to enhance data privacy as they browse for information online. Data privacy is a primary concern in cloud computing. Individuals or organizations must identify the information in their computer systems to share with third parties. Hackers may compromise cloud services offered by different cloud hosting companies such as the Amazon Web Services. Therefore, cloud hosting companies should implement relevant strategies such as installing firewalls and robust security features to prevent unauthorized individuals from accessing information from their databases.Conclusion
Because cloud computing is extremely beneficial to users, it will become more expansive in the future. The three scholars have presented several benefits of cloud computing to individuals and companies, such as increased flexibility, reduced operational costs, ability to retrieve information from anywhere, and increased collaboration. They have also highlighted some limitations of cloud systems such as data privacy risks and the inability of companies to host complex programs in the cloud. Hackers may introduce viruses and malware, which can compromise the credibility and privacy of data hosted in the cloud. Therefore, cloud hosting firms should conduct more research and make their systems more robust and safe from unauthorized access and data breaches to be more convenient for businesses and individuals.
References
Siclovan, A. (2012). The Future of Cloud Computing. BRAND. Broad Research in Accounting, Negotiation, and Distribution, 3(1), 36-39. Retrieved from https://content.ashford.edu/.
Bowles, M. D. (2013). Introduction to digital literacy [Electronic version]. Retrieved from https://content.ashford.edu/.
Abualkibash, M. H., & Elleithy, K. M. (2012). Cloud computing: The future of the IT industry. International Journal of Distributed and Parallel Systems (IJDPS), 3(4), 1-12. Retrieved from https://content.ashford.edu/.