Busn4100 Business Research Methods: Cloud Assessment Answers

Discuss about the Advantages and disadvantages of cloud computing.

Introduction

For the duration of the former years a new solution has been developed in the field of IT, i.e. cloud computing. This solution or innovation in IT field is not possible to be ignored for the reason that cloud computing lets companies for data outsourcing, sending mails electronically with attachments such as folders as well as other applications by using virtual platforms. These virtual platforms use a channel of servers which are allied among them. In addition to this, access to cloud computing can be done everywhere and at any time. The only requirement to access cloud computing is availability of internet connection at the time when the user want to access for cloud computing. Different prospective as well as different tools has been brought by the cloud computing for the business organizations or for the individuals.

There are a number of advantages and disadvantages of cloud computing. This research proposal, comprehends a methodology which can be used in the research project to conduct a research by which the advantages and the disadvantages of cloud computing can be recognized.

Project Objective

Objective of a research project defines what has to be achieved to provide solution for the existing problem that mandate for the research. There are certain benefits of the cloud computing for the business organizations. These benefits provided by the cloud computing can facilitate in growth of the business or to achieve the objectives of business ( Wang, Ranjan, & Chen, 2011). On the other hand the drawbacks of the cloud computing can affect the business processes and can also affect the growth of the business. Therefore, it is vital for the business to recognize the advantages and the disadvantages of cloud computing. The main objective of the project is- to ascertain the advantages and the disadvantages of cloud computing.

Project Scope

There is no doubt regarding the enormous benefits proposed by the cloud computing for the business organizations. At present, there is huge demand for cloud computing as it can be access in the remote place but on particular condition i.e. availability of internet. IT resource`s exclusive configurations, not only in the distributive computing setup but also in the virtual world has proposed assimilated services in the cloud ( Magoules, Pan, & Teng, 2016).

The structural design of cloud computing frequently uses exceedingly abstract resources, has scalability and flexibility in context to services deployment, uses common resources like database, processing speed, memory capacity, etc. There are numeroussubstitute models accessible to the businesses thatpropose to practice cloud like software as service, pay as you go, area for evolving new applications, etc.   

Presently,practice of cloud computing provides numerous advantages to business organizations; conversely, cloud computing also possess some disadvantage ( Furht & Escalante, 2010). This research is proposed to ascertain the benefits and drawbacks associated with cloud computing, so that the users of cloud could formulate some policies or plans to implement in their premises so that drawbacks of the cloud computing can  be managed.

Literature Review

Cloud computing has offered an opportunity to modify the common methods which are used to be practiced for data back-up or to transfer data. There are number of services offered by cloud computing in different models. The models which are frequently used are- Hardware-as-a-service (HaaS), it allows the business organization to purchase the processing speed over the network; infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS), it permits the users of cloud to purchase a particular technology which is suitable for the requirements of business; and software-as-a-service (SaaS), it permits the user to pay for the software which they are using.

Advantages of cloud computing for the businesses are as follows-

• Cost efficient-Cloud computing is an approach which is cot efficient, as the IT expenses and license costs are reduced by the cloud like- fees for up gradation as well as annual maintenance fees. Costs can be controlled by the owners of the business by application of several option like- pay as you go or onetime payment ( Munir, 2015).
• Unlimited storage- One of the benefit offered by the cloud is high storage capacity. This service facilitate in routine business operation such as transferring of enormous data set.
• Back up services-Another magnificent benefit of the cloud is backing up of data. In some circumstances such as- cyber-attack, data can be lost. Cloud offers a service to back up the data through its robust recovery system that facilitates the users to restore the data.
• Software integration-In the general systems, users had to adapt the system which was hard task. But the cloud assist in adopting the processing service as it does not demands for any change in the system ( Fehling,, Leymann, & Retter, 2014).
• Easy to access- Cloud is easy to access as the user who is registered has right to use hardware resources. This service provided by the cloud supports the business organizations to expand their business as the cloud offer transfer of information in easy way.

Disadvantages of cloud computing for the business organization are as follows-

• Privacy and security issue-Cloud is an evolving model, therefore there are some uncertainties with it. Uncertainty with the security of cloud system remains as the security aspects for the data storage, application software, networks etc. cannot ne ascertain ( Chee & Franklin Jr., 2010). This uncertainty expose the business organizations or other users of cloud to critical level as the potentiality for data protection is not confirmed yet or privacy of data can also be affected. Access to the data can be done by the third party such as frauds as the system is unable to protect the sensitive data and this data can be used by other user for their interest.
• Technical issues-Cloud facilitate in access to the information from anywhere, where there is availability of internet. However, system malfunction can disrupt in accessing the useful information which is crucial for business to practice its different operations. This is one of the drawback of cloud which can affect the business activities( Buyya, Broberg, & Goscinsk, 2010). Cloud computing is not secured as there are technical faults which led towards mistakes in operations and breakdown of system in business hours cannot be afforded as it may result as loss for the business. A different technical issue with cloud system is the data speed availability that defines the prospective of cloud computing. As when the data flow speed is higher than the eservice reliability will also be higher.The provider of cloud service should be responsible to provide high speed networks.
• Reliability and firewall protection-Cloud users stores information in the system and this information can be sensitive or some basic information(Aljawarneh & Shadi , 2015). Potentiality of securing data is not certain in cloud which defines its drawback. As the data can be hacked by the hackers from the cloud and can be used with an objective to harm the business. Setting up of robust cloud assimilated with firewall protection is not an easy task. Another threat for the cloud is internet connection`s reliability as weaker the internet connection

These are the some advantages and disadvantages of the cloud computing. There should be proper encoding and decoding of information so that the information can be kept secured.

Research Question

The main question of the research is- “What are the advantages and disadvantages of the cloud computing?”

The other important questions of the research which are crucial to be ascertain through the research are as follows-

How can cloud computing impact on the business?

What are the challenges associated with cloud computing?

How use of cloud computing can facilitate business organizations?

What aspects should be consider by user to use cloud computing more securely?

How effective is the model of data and the extent of its suitability in cloud computing?

Research Methodology

This research has aspects of both quantitative and qualitative research. As both qualitative as well as quantitative data is required for the research to reach at some conclusion.

Qualitative Research

The qualitative research process which would be followed in the research project are- 

Sampling- Sampling technique will not be used, as the data will be collected through the case studies and other literatures.

Sample size- As there will be no sampling technique in the qualitative research process for this project, therefore the sample size will not exist in this research design.

Data collection method- Secondary data will be collected in this research design. The method which will be approached to gather the data are- case study, literatures and business report ( Nix, 2017). Relevant data consist of cloud computing, its benefits, drawbacks and the overall impact will be gathered for the research.

Variables specification- The variables which will be used in the research are univariables as the management of the business organization will only be approached for the research.

Reliability and validity- Approaches for the reliability and validity of the data will be approached to make the research more genuine and to get the solution for the research problem ( Leavy, 2017).

Data analysis – Qualitative data will be analyzed with an assistance of IT expert. As the descriptive data will be reviewed by the IT expert and suggestion or the recommendation will be concluded by him or her.

Quantitative Research

The steps which will be followed in the quantitative research are given below- 

Sampling- Random sampling will be done for the research, as this method will be appropriate for the research.

Sample size- The size of the sample or the number of respondents who will be approached to gather the data are- 80 management employees of two business organizations who are using cloud computing.

Data collection method- To collect the quantitative data, primary techniques will be used. An interview will be done in both the organizations, in which questions will be asked to the management employees or the respondents. The questions will be associated with the theme of the project ( Creswell, 2014). The answers given by the respondents will be recorded so that the data can be transformed in presentable manner.

Reliability and validity-The reliability of the gathered data will be high as the data will be collected through the primary technique which provides reliable data. Validity of the data will rely up to the extent of practicing cloud computing

Data analysis process-Statistical techniques will be appropriate to analyze the quantitative data. As this technique can analyze the data in numeric forms in reliable manner.

Limitation of research

The limitations of the research cannot be controlled by the research as the limitations can be termed as influences, conditions or shortcomings which is not be easy for the researcher to control (Aljawarneh & Shadi , 2015). The main limitations of the research are as follows-

• Lack of time
• Survey will be done in two companies only.
• As the time for the research is limited therefore the limited respondents will be approached for the survey.
• Another limitation is the budget, as the expenditure which will incur for various activities

Research Plan

The activities for the research are scheduled in following way-

 Gantt chart

Conclusion

At the present time, progression has its premises on the fact that prompt admittance to the innovation determines higher productivity. Loud computing has been emerged as crucial aspect for the businesses as it facilitate in business activities concerning with data storage and electronic mail transfer etc. This proposal will be beneficial for the businesses to ascertain the benefits which can be drawn by using cloud computing in their premises as well the drawbacks which could affect the business could be determined. This research proposal concludes that a research cannot be executed in absence of the literature review as the theoretical framework makes the research process easier for the researcher. Research methodology helps in designing the process of research as it includes data collection and analysis activities which are important for the research.

References

Antonopoulos, N., & Gillam, L. (2010). Cloud Computing: Principles, Systems and Applications. Springer Science & Business Media.

Baylon, C. (2014). Challenges at the Intersection of Cyber Security and Space Security. Springer.

Buyya, R., Broberg, J., & Goscinsk, A. (2010). Cloud Computing: Principles and Paradigms. John Wiley & Sons.

Chee, J., & Franklin Jr., ‎. (2010). Cloud Computing. CRC Press.

Creswell, J. (2014). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. SAGE.

Erl, T., Puttini, ‎., & Mahmood , Z. (2013). Cloud Computing: Concepts, Technology & Architecture. Prentice Hall.

Fehling,, C., Leymann, F., & Retter, R. (2014). Cloud Computing Patterns. Springer Science & Business Media.

Furht, B., & Escalante, ‎. (2010). Handbook of Cloud Computing. Springer Business and science Media.

Leavy, P. (2017). Research Design. Guilford Publications.

Magoules, F., Pan, ‎., & Teng, F. (2016). Cloud Computing: Data-Intensive Computing and Scheduling. CRC Press.

Munir, K. (2015). Handbook of Research on Security Considerations in Cloud Computing. IGI Global.

Murugesan, S., & Bojanova, ‎. (2016). Encyclopedia of Cloud Computing. John Wiley & Sons. .

Nix, C. (2017). Data Analytics. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.

Wang, L., Ranjan, R., & Chen, J. (2011). Cloud Computing: Methodology, Systems, and Applications. CRC Press.

Aljawarneh, & Shadi . (2015). Advanced Research on Cloud Computing Design and Applications. IGI Global.