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Essay Instructions: Cloud computing is not solely focused on helping organizations better manage their investments in IT infrastructure and have access to scalable IT resources in real-time. The cloud has gone "personal," and there are now a wide range of cloud services for just you as an individual. Three companies offering personal cloud services are Amazon, Apple, and Microsoft.

AMAZON
Amazon is definitely the retail giant of the Web, but even it concedes that its market share in the digital services space is "insignificant" compared to that of Apple. So, Amazon has launched a series of personal cloud services in the hope of stealing away many of Apple's customers. One such cloud service is Amazon Cloud Drive. Cloud Drive is an external hard disk for your computer (or tablet PC or smartphone) in the cloud. On it, you can store music, photos, videos, and documents. With any Web browser, you can access all your digital assets on Cloud Drive.
You can load your music onto Cloud Drive in one of two ways. First, when you buy digital music at Amazon's MP3 store, you can have that music automatically loaded into your Cloud Drive space. Second, if you currently have music on your laptop or desktop (even if that music comes from iTunes), you can upload that with a few clicks. It's also similarly easy to upload any of your other digital assets-photos, videos, or documents. Amazon provides you with a limited amount of free space on your Cloud Drive, somewhere in the range of 5 to 10Gb. Even better, if you buy music from Amazon's MP3 store, it doesn't count against your free limit. If you exceed your limit with other content-photos, videos, or documents or perhaps music from some organization other than Amazon-you can buy additional storage space, which will cost approximately $1 per year per Gb. (A Gb of storage typically holds about 200 to 250 songs, depending on their length and quality.)

APPLE
Partly in response to Amazon's move, Apple also announced a personal cloud service called iCloud is completely free, no matter how much content you store in it. iCloud is different from Amazon's Cloud Drive in that it is built into the normal workings of Apple computers and mobile devices. When you take a photo using your iPhone, for example, that photo will be available on your Mac or iPad within a few seconds. So, whenever you create and store a document on your Mac, you are also automatically storing it in iCloud. That means you can then view and change the document on your iPad without first having to transfer the file from your Mac to your iPad. The iCloud constantly synchronizes all your Apple digital assets, including music, photos, videos, documents, calendar, contacts, and mail across all your Apple devices. The goal is to encourage you to buy only Apple devices (a Mac, an iPad, and an iPhone) because they all remain synchronized without your ever having to do anything. And what happens when you buy a new iPhone? Just enter your ID and password and you will be instantly connected to your space, giving you access to everything you have.

MICROSOFT
It makes obvious sense that Microsoft would also be in this space. Microsoft is still the dominant provider of personal productivity software (Microsoft Office) and personal operating system software (Windows XP and Windows 7, mainly). To maintain its dominance, not lose market share, and hopefully gain market share, Microsoft offers Windows Live, personal cloud space for its users. Windows Live offers free storage space in SkyDrive, where you can upload any of your digital assets. If you own multiple Windows-based machines, SkyDrive can help you keep your digital assets on those machines always in sync. And like iCloud, Windows Live will also synchronize your calendar, contacts, and e-mail across your Windows devices. Windows Live allows you to create groups in your cloud space, so you can collaborate with other people on documents and projects. That feature is much easier to use while collaborating as opposed to e-mailing documents to other people, trying to keep track of changes and versions, and attempting to determine who made what changes and the order in which the changes were made.

From the Case above: Public “Personal” Clouds answer the questions below. Using APA formatting and guidelines. Write a paper with a title page, abstract page, and reference page in addition to the body of the paper.

1. Do some research on Amazon’s Cloud Drive. What is the amount of free storage space? What is the annual cost for additional storage? What about Apple’s iCloud? Is it still free? Does Microsoft charge anything for use of its SkyDrive cloud service?
2. Putting all your personal information in the cloud means letting go of some control over information like your tax files, personal photos that might not want anyone else to see, term papers you’re currently writing, and so on. What is your level of concern for the security of these personal digital assets in the cloud? Explain why your level of concern is high or low.
3. As we move more of our personal storage needs to the cloud, will computers really need disk storage space? Is it possible that we’re in the early stages of an outrageous industry transformation? Who are the major manufacturers of disk storage for personal computers and laptops?
4. If you choose to store all your personal information in the cloud, you’ll need a personal continuity plan, much like organizations have business continuity plans in case of some sort of disaster. Suppose that right now you begin storing all your personal information only in the cloud. Of that information, what will you also backup onto a flash drive? How often would you perform the backup process? How often do you currently backup information on your computer’s hard drive?
5. Do some research on personal cloud providers. What sort of service level agreement (SLA) do they offer? Are you willing to store your information with a personal cloud provider that offers no SLA? Why or why not?

Essay Instructions: This paper needs to be in APA format. Wikipedia can not be used as a source. I have put this outline together but it does not have to be used.

•A. Advantages
•B. Characteristics
?-? On-demand self-service
•C. Service models
?-?Infrastructure as a service (IaaS)
?-?Platform as a service (PaaS)
?-?Software as a service (SaaS)
?-?Network as a service (NaaS)
•D. Deployment models
?-?Private cloud
?-?Public cloud
?-?Community cloud
?-?Personal cloud
?-?Hybrid cloud
•E. Issues
?-?Threats and opportunities of the cloud
?-?Privacy
?-?Compliance
?-?Legal
?-?Security
?-?IT governance

Essay Instructions: Requesting AMBER 111 writes this paper. Thanks

Case 5

The case for this module calls for you to explore some of the divergent opinions about this new approach to organizational information systems and weigh some of the competing claims. First off, if you don't know anything about computer networking or what a client/server netwiork is in particular, it'a recommended that you start with this reasonably good short guide to network terminology (if you're already on top of this stuff, you can probably skip this one):

Sensible Computer Help (2008) Choosing the best computer network. Sensible-Computer-Help.com. Retrieved February 27, 2011, from http://www.sensible-computer-help.com/computer-network.html

With that foundation, you can now begin to learn about "the cloud". A good general reference to start with is here:

Chee, B. and Franklin, C. (2010) Applications for Clouds. Chapter 4 in Cloud Computing: Technologies and Strategies of the Ubiquitous Data Center. CRC Press. Retrieved November 15, 2010 from http://media.techtarget.com/searchSystemsChannel/downloads/Cloud_Computing_Techn_Strat_of_the_Ubiq_Data_Cent_Chapter_4.pdf

As we noted in the introduction, a term often used more or less interchangeably with ?cloud computing? (despite some significant differences of focus) is ?software as a service? ? described as a software distribution model in which applications are hosted by a vendor or service provider and made available to customers over a network, typically the Internet. The following article discusses some of the difficulties with organizational implementation of this model:

Fornes, D. (2010) The Software as a Service Dilemma. The Software Advice Blog. Retrieved November 10, 2010, from http://www.softwareadvice.com/articles/uncategorized/the-software-as-a-service-dilemma-104071/

Finally, this discussion would not be complete without the views of the skeptic; the following article points out some of the all-too-apparent complications that might ensue from a wholesale stampede into the clouds:

Schneier, B. (2009) Cloud Computing. Schneier on Security. Retrieved November 15, 2010 from http://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2009/06/cloud_computing.html

But back to the enthusiasts. SaaSBlogs is a website that, in its own words, is ?a community centered around the idea that Software as a Service (SAAS) represents the largest shift in the software industry in decades. We cover ideas, technologies, challenges, and business strategies related to this new and exciting paradigm.? Basically, it?s a lot of blog posts primarily authored by three experts, addressing a very wide range of topics related to SaaS deployment, use, and effects. It?s a very good place to see how people committed to this model think and what they bring to the table. In fact, it?s so good at this that it?s going to be your primary source material for this case assignment.

Scrolling down the SaasBlogs home page points you to the archive of posts on various aspects of this issue. You should spend some time looking through these posts for discussions of things that you find interesting relating to SaaS operation, implementation, or results. Perhaps they will relate directly to issues in your own environment; perhaps they will remain largely academic ? but in either case, you should be alert to the language of the discussion and how both technical and social issues are being talked about. There are also other SaaS-related blog sites that you may wish to look at (google a few and see what you find).

In addition, the Background Readings page lists some optional readings that may be useful to you as you consider these issues, or you may find other sources yourself (be sure to reference properly whatever specific sources you draw on).

When you've read through the articles and related material and thought about them carefully, please compose a short paper on the topic:

Why ?software as a service? is (or is not ? pick one) going to dominate the next several years in information management

Be sure to include at least some reference to the SaaSBlogs material somewhere in your paper.



Case assignment expectations:
Your paper should be short (5-7 pages, not including cover sheet and references) and to the point. It is to be structured as a point/counterpoint argument, in the following manner. You are expected to:

Begin this paper by stating your position on this question clearly and concisely -- take one or the other position (either for or against formality), but not both!

Citing appropriate sources, present the reasons why you take this position. Be sure to make the most effective case you can.

Then present the best evidence you can, again citing appropriate sources, against your position -- that is, establish what counterarguments can be made in response to your original position.

Finally, review your original position in light of the counterarguments, showing how they are inadequate to rebut your original statement.

By the end of your paper, you should be able to unequivocally re-affirm your original position.



The following features of your paper will be assessed in particular:

Your ability to see what the module is all about and to structure your paper accordingly. In this case, there isn?t a single right or wrong, yes-or-no answer ? either perspective can be justified. Your task is to construct a logical, well-reasoned, and persuasive argument for your conclusions. Be sure that you take a defined position on the question, and construct your paper to support that position with suitable arguments and evidence.

Your focus on the question as presented, and your ability to use the language of the module convincingly. Here, this means your ability to describe "the cloud" and SaaS effectively, to explain the advantages and disadvantages of these approaches in contrast to more traditional computing and IT arrangements, and to place them in the contexct of developing information systems and social trends.

Your ability to consolidate ideas from reading materials and your understanding of the materials. Select your illustrative cases to prove your point; don?t just dump a bunch of illustrations onto the page just to fill space. Use information from as many sources as you can, as long as it?s of good quality. At the least, you are expected to show evidence of having read and understood the required readings.

Your informed commentary and analysis -- simply repeating what your sources say does not constitute an adequate paper.

Some in-text references to your readings, with citations in proper academic format. For assistance with proper paper formats, reference lists, and citation procedures, please consult the TUI Course Guidelines and/or the Purdue University manual listed in the Background Material.

Essay Instructions: Need an 18 page custom master's level term paper with at least 15 sources that meets the following requirements. READ CAREFULLY -

Paper must be based on and include the Introduction/Thesis has already been written (Below after ---). It may be edited SLIGHTLY, however.

The research paper will be a literature review-based research paper of at least 18 pages comprised of an Introduction, Literature Review, Research Approach, Conclusion and Reference list

The paper is not a work of original research, but it is does propose research based on existing work and the fulfillment of a need in the topic area. This should provide a point of focus for the student who uses the Literature Review to demonstrate a need for research in the topic area. The Research Approach (qualitative, quantitative, or mixed) should be supported by the literature review and appropriate to the topic area.

The paper will utilize the Turabian parenthetical citations-reference-list (author year) style of documentation. THIS MEANS IN-TEXT CITATIONS FOR ARTICLES, BOOKS, AND JOURNALS MUST INCLUDE PAGE NUMBERS.

Introduction (2-3 pages): The Introduction introduces the topic and thesis statement. It provides a brief background and provides the basis for the thesis statement.

Literature Review (8-10 pages): The Literature Review presents existing work in the topic area. History, theories, previous studies, and related work are analyzed and synthesized to back up the thesis statement as well as to justify the Research Approach. MUST INCLUDE AT LEAST 5 IN TEXT DIRECT QUOTES AND/OR BLOCK QUOTES.

Research Approach (2-3 pages): The Research Approach describes your proposed primary research methodology. It should focus on the gathering of data and the analysis of that data. Drawing on your Literature Review, the approach must be justified as appropriate to the content area and the goals of the research project. This proposed research will not be conducted; it is simply an informed recommendation for further research based on the literature review.

Conclusion (1-2 pages): Concludes the paper. The Conclusion demonstrates support of the thesis statement based on the Literature Review and Research Approach.

References: List of references that supports each citation in the paper (DON'T CONFUSE THIS WITH A BIBLOGRAPHY). The reference list needs to be in Turabian parenthetical citations-reference list style. THIS MEANS IN-TEXT CITATIONS FOR ARTICLES, BOOKS, AND JOURNALS MUST INCLUDE PAGE NUMBERS. For an 18 page paper, the Reference List should include at least 15 sources. At least two-thirds (10) of the sources must be from authoritative books/scholarly article sources in order to provide credibility and evidence of library research.

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Introduction/thesis -

Businesses utilize Information Technology (IT) such as computer hardware and software to run their operations. Even small companies such as a local gift shop have at least one computer that runs accounting or point of service applications. In today’s economy, it is not uncommon to find businesses in virtually every industry utilizing complex IT hardware and software.

There are many examples of IT business applications and hardware. Salesmen use customer relationship management systems to manage interactions with their customers. They may also use applications that identify sales leads to help generate potential new sources of revenue. All of these activities are done with a computer or mobile device. Logistics departments utilize software, which helps match open orders ready for shipment with the cheapest available carrier automatically. Plant managers monitor and tweak their production lines using software specifically designed for manufacturing. Analysts uncover important trends and business insights through business intelligence applications, which pull information from company databases stored on locally owned and maintained servers (Slabeva 2010, 47).

Information technology is vital in helping businesses reduce costs and generate more revenue. In today’s economy, IT hardware and software make it possible to reduce costs. This cost reduction is accomplished through automating and increasing the efficiency of tasks. These tasks often include customer billing and product development. Businesses using IT solutions can increase revenues through business analysis and customer service applications. These businesses may also use marketing options associated with Web applications. In many cases, in a given industry, the company with the best IT hardware and software has the advantage over their competitors in efficiency and opportunities for revenue. They may have access to technology that their competitors do not, or they may utilize the technology that they and their competitors both have more effectively to create the advantage (Armbrust et al. 2009, 14).

IT is now important for all businesses. However, it can be expensive if significant hardware is required, and this can be an obstacle for smaller companies. For example, a large and small shipping company may want to invest in third party sales forecasting software. The software may require investment in expensive software volume licenses, new servers/computers, or IT personnel (Buyya, Yeo & Venugopal 2008, 1). For the large company, finding the money for this is less of a problem than it is for the smaller company. They may even have additional server space, computers, and IT resources already present to handle the implementation of the new software. The smaller company may not have money available to invest in the software, computers, servers, and IT resources necessary to successfully implement the forecasting software (Slabeva 2010, 50).

Currently, the software and servers a business implements must exist close to business’ client computers to maximize the efficiency of application execution (Armbrust et al., 2009). This paradigm is what makes investment in information technology expensive for businesses. All of the software on the client machine in an organization must be installed and updated individually, requiring investment in IT human resources to carry out these responsibilities (Buyya, Yeo & Venugopal 2008, 1). In addition, departments using intricate software may need to invest in high-performance, high-cost computers in order for the software to run properly. Moreover, as this software improves and grows more complex over time, investment in new hardware to replace old, outdated computers may be necessary. Furthermore, business data must be stored on physical servers that require heavy investment to purchase and maintain (Armbrust et al. 2009, 3).

The current information technology paradigm used by most businesses today involves having all data storage and analysis done at the place of business. While this is now a well-accepted practice, it is predicted that in the not-so-distant future, businesses will rapidly shift to the cloud computing. Cloud computing can be understood as a model of operations in which computing is viewed as a service instead of a product. In this paradigm information, software, and data storage are provided to computers and other technology devices as a service. This can be conceptualized as similar to the way electricity is provided to a number of clients over a grid that can be used in many different ways (Armbrust et al. 2009, 12). These services are most commonly provided over the Internet. In the cloud computing model, software and hardware exist as services shared by many companies. Software in the cloud can be accessed by companies through lightweight front-end applications such as a simple web browser, and the majority of the processing of these applications occurs on the third party providers’ machines. All of this will yield reduced costs for businesses through increased technology upward and downward scalability options, cheaper client hardware, and reduced IT human capital cost. In addition, the cloud computing model provides for more rapid updating of technology for businesses. It also increases software availability on various operating systems and mobile devices (Harding 2011, 38, 42-44).

As cloud computing matures, businesses are more likely to invest in cloud based technologies such as remote data storage, because of the significant cost reductions and technology advantages associated with storing data on remote servers operated by third parties (Armbrust et al. 2009, 12). However, many companies are wary of issues inherent in remote data storage such as data security, auditability, and availability. It is the thesis of this paper that the uploading and downloading of information into the cloud are well protected and safe from data abuse. Furthermore, data storage in the cloud is likely to be safe, and these types of concerns should not serve as a deterrent for businesses to use the cloud in this manner. Additional research needs to be done on the safety level of data storage in the cloud. This paper puts forth suggestions for possible research in this area.