Cloud Computing

Introduction

Cloud computing is a type of computing that depends on sharing computing resources rather than having local servers to handle applications. In cloud computing, the word cloud is a metaphor for "the Internet”. So it’s mean cloud computing is a type of Internet-based computing where provide varies services  such as servers, storage and applications which are delivered to an organization's computers and devices through the Internet. . Cloud services include the delivery of software, infrastructure, and storage over the Internet based on user demand. Cloud computing has four essential characteristics which are  elasticity and the ability to scale up and down, self-service provisioning and automatic de-provisioning, application programming interfaces (APIs), billing and metering of service usage in a pay-as-you-go model. Cloud computing structure allows access to information as long as an electronic device has access to the web. This type of system allows employees to work remotely.

Problem Statement:

Should Businesses Move to the Cloud?

SWOT Analysis:

Questions:

1. How does Salesforce.com use cloud computing?

Salesforce.com provides customer relationship management and other software applications using the software-as-a-service business model over the Internet. Cloud computing, also known as on-demand computing, eliminates the need for a business to make large up-front hardware and software investments and reduces the time so can implements new programs. Salesforce.com costumers don’t have to purchase or maintain any hardware nor install any special operating systems, database servers, or application servers. Other than the monthly user subscription fee, businesses reduce their licensing and maintenance fees. Users access the Salesforce.com cloud through a standard Web browser or a mobile handheld device. A business using the Salesforce.com’s cloud easily scaling their system as they increase or decrease their workforce as they adjust the number of subscriptions to the cloud.At the same time, Salesforce.com offers some customization of its software so a business can adjust the software to unique business processes. It offers three types of clouds: Sales cloud, service cloud, and the custom cloud. The sales and service clouds help businesses improve sales and customer service. The custom cloud provides a venue for customers to develop their own applications for use within the broader Salesforce network

2. What are some of the challenges facing Salesforce as it continues its growth? How well will it be able to meet those challenges?

Challenges include: Increased competition both from traditional industry leaders and new challengers hoping to replicate Salesforce’s success. Expanding its business model into other areas to ensure the system is available 24/7 with no outages. Defending the system against security breaches Salesforce is answering the first two challenges by partnering with Google and combining its services with Gmail, Google Docs, Google Talk, and Google Calendar to allow Its customer to accomplish more tasks via the Web. Salesforce.com and Google both hope that their Salesforce.com for Google Apps initiative will make further growth in on-demand software. By partnering with Apple, Salesforce.com can expand its applications to iPhone users who will have access to their data anywhere any time. Through its partnership with Amazon.com, Force customers can tap into Amazon.com’s cloud computing services that can handle “cloud burst computing” tasks that require extra processing power or storage capacity. Salesforce opened up its Custom Cloud application development platform to other independent software developers and listed their programs on its AppExchange. The company introduced a development tool for integrating with Facebook’s social network that allows customers to build applications that call functions at the Facebook site. Small businesses can go online and download software applications, some add-ons to Salesforce.  In order to grow its revenues to levels that industry observer s and Wall Street eventually expects, Salesforce will need to change its focus from selling a suite of software applications to providing a broader cloud computing “platform” on which many software companies can deliver applications.To ensure system availability, Salesforce.com provides tools to assure customers about its system reliability and also offers PC applications that tie into their services so users can work offline.

3. What kinds of businesses could benefit from switching to Salesforce and why?

Small to medium-size businesses are probably the most likely ones to switch to Salesforce.com because of cost factors and the lack of having in-house resources to provide the same level of computing capacity. Businesses that are trying to increase the sophistication of their computing capabilities could also benefit from switching to Salesforce as long as the two are compatible. Businesses that rely on smart customer management would benefit from using the tools available at Salesforce.com. Also companies that have small sales and marketing teams can benefit from the software-as-a-service business model.

4. What factors would you take into account in deciding whether to use Saleforce.com for your business?

Businesses should assess the costs and benefits of the service, weighing all people, organization, and technology issues. Does the software-as-a-service applications integrate well with the existing systems? Does it deliver a level of service and performance that’s acceptable for the business? Does the SaaS fit with the business’ overall competitive strategy and allow the company to focus on core business issues instead of technology challenges?

5. Could a company run its entire business using Salesforce.com, Force.com, andApp Exchange? Explain your answer.

Depending on the type of business, a company probably could run its entire operations using Salesforce .com, Force com, and App Exchange. All four major functional areas of a business are supported: Sales and Marketing, Manufacturing and Production, Finance, and Human Resources. There are dozens of applications available to fully support all of these areas. It would be a matter of integrating the software from Salesforce.com and App Exchange with any existing legacy systems within the business.

Conclusion :

Over the past few years, emergence of cloud computing has notably made an evolution in the IT industry by putting forward an "everything as a service" idea .Cloud Computing is of growing interest to companies throughout the world, but there are many barriers associated with its adoption which should be eliminated.