CIS499 Information Systems Capstone Final Assignment

Introduction

Data analytics involves scrutinizing data sets using specialized systems destined to draw inferences from the information therein. Therefore, analytics entails data sources, processing systems, data and analytic models, the power to compute as well as storage or sharing Medias. Such services could be hosted offline or done over the internet. For services hosted over the internet, the term cloud computing is used to refer to them. When technological and analytical tools are utilized to extract information especially where large data is involved, it’s referred to as cloud analytics. Cloud computing provides benefits such as lower costs, scalability, flexibility and secures the future of the organization (Power, 2014).

Reason for the use of analytics and cloud technology

Cloud technology and use of analytics are cost effective. Though it is always costly to launch the application of cloud computing services, the maintenance cost associated are considerably low. This, therefore, generally reduces the cost of running cloud computing and analytics services. It also saves on the amount of power used on cooling and power. This is made possible using virtualization where the number of servers needed in a big company is less. Thus more space is freed in data centers. Therefore, less power is consumed. Cloud technology also permits the development of data centers within the cloud features. These data centers eliminate lengthy organizational procedures when accessing services. Easier access to services implies that cost incurred in data management are saved. A company like Acme using cloud computing no longer need to invest in expensive Information Technology infrastructure and spend on hardware and software as well as incur maintenance cost. Instead of too much investment of administrative tasks, cloud computing can be used in place since it allows access too many services with fewer charges. Only IT personnel are required to run the business while applying this technology.

Elasticity and flexibility are provided by cloud technology and analytics. Hybrids clouds have grown among the many available enterprises; therefore, companies have several alternatives to choose from. Gartner has been the most significant hybrid installed by large companies. Cloud technology deploys public, private and hybrid models. The private cloud delivers services from a business’ data while public cloud involves a third-party service provider who delivers the needed cloud services. The third model, the hybrid cloud model, combine public and private cloud services, and the user makes their choice. Critical workloads are usually run on the private cloud while burst workloads are handled on the private cloud. As a result, cloud technology permits migration flexibility of workloads from one cloud to another or withdraw them from the cloud. Large companies are highly advised to move to hybrid cloud computing since it has more flexible features than the others. Elasticity in scaling up work and scaling it down depending on demand is possible over cloud technology. Such flexibility eradicates the need for heavy local investment which may remain inactive.

Implementing cloud technology and analytics ensures availability of large data. Availability of big data facilitates accurate analysis and viable decisions. Cloud technology enables companies to trace back their databases with customers easily as contrary to the difficulties associated with keeping up with the information in the past. With access to a wide range of data, companies can develop their analytical skills. This is not only enhanced by the availability of data, but also cloud provides the needed computing power to sort through the large and unstructured data (Botta et al, 2014). Structuring that data is made easier thereby saving time and as well facilitate great decisions based on available data resulting to businesses achieving their goals. Also, data is well presented to end users in a manner that is easily understood.

Upgradeability of systems has also been enhanced by cloud technology and analytics. Maintaining several thousand users over a single PC which has constant privacy settings and updates is a time-consuming or rather a close to impossible task (Avram, 2014). It would require more time of access and more finances in updating systems that expire regularly. Cloud computing saves companies time and cost of maintaining systems and could be redirected into achieving business goals. Cloud computing also provides high levels of security due to their specialization in economies of scale. Businesses require their operations and data involving their customers to be secure to build trust with them. When such a reputation is reached, upgradeability of a business becomes simpler. Since cloud technology and analytics is flexible, it is possible to access data frequently and continuous edit to make necessary changes. This is particularly helpful in increasing reliability since the wrong data can be quickly detected and fixed before going viral (Botta et al, 2014).

Software development has been fastened using cloud computing. Where large companies deploy huge numbers of software developers’ officers in their internal operation, they usually achieve from development and implementation of software such as cloud computing. In such an environment, companies standardize the use of cloud computing to advance other software. Database services among others can be integrated into software development platform. Cloud computing also facilitates the firm establishment of documentation practices (Avram, 2014). Installing, testing and deployment of virtual machines have been made faster by cloud computing due to proper documentation and economies of scale enjoyed.

Analytics and cloud computing have facilitated carrying out of more than one business. These services can be utilized as business flexibility strategies such as a risk management tool. Companies can identify potential risk from the available data and learn how to manage them. It also allows businesses to increase idleness of infrastructure in all its offices. Companies can be in the interiors when cloud computing is used since only access to the internet is required. Features such as caching, load balancing and storage databases can be merged from various businesses locations thereby simplifying business infrastructure (Botta et al, 2014). If Acme Corporation decide to utilize cloud computing services, we can easily expand due to the availability of flexible features and architecture that allows the addition of extra levels of modules into the system with ease.

Cloud computing can bring a benefit of green dimension to our business. This enables our organization to achieve our objectives under corporate social responsibility. Cloud providers are capable of investing in a large scale into data centers such that less hardware is used. With this, fewer resources are wasted. Management is also made easier. Cloud computing allows the display of almost everything on a digital panel thus enabling quick identification and solving of problems (Avram, 2014).

Appendix Workflow diagram

ANALYTICS AND CLOUD TECHNOLOGY

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Recommendation

Cloud computing and analytics is a viable business service that all firms should consider investing in. Currently, it is the only way to keep your business competitive and remain relevant in the market. This is an avenue the Acme Corporation should pursue.

References

Avram, M. G. (2014). Advantages and challenges of adopting cloud computing from an enterprise perspective. Procedia Technology, 12, 529-534.

Botta, A., De Donato, W., Persico, V., & Pescapé, A. (2014, August). On the integration of cloud computing and internet of things. In Future internet of things and cloud (FiCloud), 2014 international conference on (pp. 23-30). IEEE.

Power, D. J. (2014). Using ‘Big Data for analytics and decision support. Journal of Decision Systems, 23(2), 222-228.

Sacha, D., Stoffel, A., Stoffel, F., Kwon, B. C., Ellis, G., & Keim, D. A. (2014). Knowledge generation model for visual analytics. IEEE transactions on visualization and computer graphics, 20(12), 1604-1613.