Q11.
Cloud computing is a new kind of computing model. Cloud is a metaphor which describes web as a space where computing has been preinstalled and exist as a service. Hence, data, operating systems, applications, storage and processing power exist on the web ready to be shared. The technology allows for much more efficient computing by centralizing storage, memory, processing and bandwidth. Services offered by cloud computing are broadly divided into three categories: Infrastructure-as-aService (IaaS), Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS).
An example of cloud computing is Yahoo, Gmail or Hotmail. All what consumers need is just an internet connection and they can start sending emails without using any server or software installed on their computer.
Cloud computing is predicted to have huge impact on e-commerce, and some analysts predict that within 10 years, 80% of all computing, storage, and e-commerce done worldwide may take place in the cloud.
Benefits of cloud computing in e-commerce:
– Cost saving – Cost is considered one of the primary reasons for moving application or data centre to the cloud. There may be a low cost associated with developing and deploying an e-commerce application.
– Speed – A company may be able to roll out an e-commerce application five times faster than before and begin selling immediately on the remote platform.
– Security – Many cloud vendors complete third-party certification, including ISP 27001 and SysTrust audits.
– Interoperability – Cloud computing offers the ability to share information between clouds and communities of clouds.
Concerns of cloud computing in e-commerce:
– Choice problem – Cloud computing will limit customer choice, eliminate some potentially better solutions in favour of available solutions, and lock users into a particular providers.
– Custody problem – Who has custody of the data in cloud computing? Where will custom data, credit card data, e-commerce business records, and personal data be stored? As the cloud masks infrastructure and platforms, a sort of fog settles in and there is concern lose track of where data is being stored (credit card data can be stored i.e. in Afghanistan).
– Cost problem – Cloud computing may cost some users more money, IaaS, PaaS and SaaS may, in some circumstences, be more expensive than just owning or licensing infrastructure, platform or software.
REFERENCES
[1] ‘Cloud Computing Research and Development Trend’, Shuai Zhang , Future Networks, 2010. ICFN ’10. Second International Conference on, 22-24 Jan. 2010
[3] http://www.vi.net/blog/2010/11/the-benefits-of-cloud-computing-to-the-e-commerce-industry/
[4] ‘Cloud Computing learning’, Kalagiakos, P., Application of Information and Communication Technologies (AICT), 2011 5th International Conference on, 12-14 Oct. 2011
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