What are the specific advantages and disadvantages of cloud computing for enterprise resource planning (ERP)?
You read about cloud computing in Chapter 3 of the course text, which discussed cloud computing as it applies to all types of applications. What are the specific advantages and disadvantages of cloud computing for enterprise resource planning (ERP)? Dr. Patterson, our guest speaker, spoke about the benefit of using global standards in INF220 Week Four Network Technology Development Approaches (Links to an external site.). Would using global standards be good when integrating cloud computing in the organization? Why or why not?
For discussion two, this video compares Cloud ERP to an On-premise ERP solutions. Cloud ERP is provided as a service through a company or referred to as Software as a Service (SAS). Through On-premise ERP, solutions are installed on local servers while managed by technical staff. SAS is managed by a vendor and information is accessible to customers using a web-browser.
There are several advantages of cloud computing through Cloud ERP when compared to On-premise ERP. Ownership costs should be considered. According to the video material, an On-premise ERP is a huge investment that requires on-going maintenance. However, cloud is much lower and offers cost-savings at approximately 50% less. On-Premise involves redeploying system changes while cloud requires upgrades only every few years. Some other advantages of cloud are system flexibility, which allows allocation of more resources to system functions, better performance and security and a pay-as-you-go system.
I believe using global standards would be good when integrating cloud computing. As Dr. Jeriod Patterson of Alcatel-Lucent explains in his video, Network Technologies Development Approaches, applying global standards to meet SLAs is part of understanding a customer’s requirements through technology. Alcatel-Lucent manages service contracts in approximately 80 networks while covering over 200 million subscribers. I think integration makes this form of computing easier. Many devices can be managed and supported remotely.
Our text explains that cloud computing is defined by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) as “a model for enabling ubiquitous, convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources (e.g., networks, servers, storage, applications, and services) that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort or service provider interaction (http://csrc.nist.gov/publications/nistpubs/800-145/SP800-145.pdf (Links to an external site.))” (Valacich & Schneider, 2016). They also explain that Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) “applications make accessing information easier by providing a central information repository, giving personnel access to accurate, up-to-date information throughout the organization” (Valacich & Schneider, 2016). This would mean that the advantages are the access to the information being easy and fast, the information being accessed would be as accurate as possible because as it is being accessed as quick as the updates happen. Some of the disadvantages would be that some of the information might not be for everyone that is able to access it and there could be some leaks that could be potential hazards. The lack of security could be an issue when the data is being accessed. Another thing is that just because the system is fast some data could be wrong and it might cause an issue if data is not recorded properly when uploaded.
When it comes to the global standards, the guest speaker explains that some organizations that do not understand the technology, goals, or the cost would benefit from this by utilizing them to retain their customer base, transition easier and get a better understanding through these services (Ivy, 2015). I think that using the global standards would be beneficial when cloud computing as it would allow for more growth and the ability to get a better handle on things when it comes to the cost and transitioning with growth. It would allow the organization to understand how things are progressing and guide them in a way.
Rachel
Benefits of Shared Services
Increased Efficiency/Reduced Costs- By employing the use of shares services, for example my organization will be soon transitioning our network/fileserver over to Google Drive. We currently have relied on an internal monitored file server that is our go to place in order to store and share data rather than emailing that information over. But since our Data scientist is moving on to Apple to be a data scientist for them, we have to now employ the use of an intelligent IT system to rely on. Our text shares, “Consequently, information systems that provide business intelligence—by collecting and analyzing data and delivering needed information to the right decision maker at the right time—facilitate the effective management of modern organizations” (Valacich & Schneider, 2016). Ms. Karla Lewis certainly was able to share her corporation is technology driven to assist in IT support. Ms. Lewis mentioned how Shared services are cost effective for business entities rather than one IT person (like my organization) trying to handle various functions on their own without being cost effective.
Improved Levels of Service- The information systems Ms. Lewis utilizes has the knowledge in many levels of service whether it be to provide services to the end user all the way to the data sever behind the scenes. Engility concentration is to make sure that all systems are functioning and above all, secure.
Increased Process Standardization – Sorting out business capacity needs, rather than having multiple enterprises operating different needs just as she explained in her video. Ms. Lewis states how Engility services is a one stop shop for any of shared services necessities.
Enhanced Professionalization- Ms. Lewis emphasizeson how the company she works for selects applicants that have a BA degree, certifications, technical experience, computer science/math experience, and or science-based curriculum.
Improved Opportunities and Motivation- Creative infrastructure activities are what is making social media to be as fun and creative as it is. Data science and information systems are constantly evolving and growing based on how social media has taken the attention from us all.
Better Technology– Integrating different services and data functioning onto one system in order to eliminate multi functioning systems. For example, the current organization I work for is looking to do away with the in-house file server we have and move that job on to Google Drive. This will certainly be a better technology for our organization to all understand.
References:
Valacich, J. A., & Schneider, C. (2016). Information systems today: Managing in the digital world (7th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall
maxwell
The internet of things (IoT) was explained in week three as a web or platform where smart devices communicated with each other and people to deliver valuable data sharing. Now, for these systems to be able to share information efficient and securely, an IT infrastructure is needed to host all the hardware components for secured data sharing.
According to Karla Lewis, our week four guest speaker and program director for Engility Corporation (an international IT corporation) headquartered in Virginia, her organization provides such infrastructure integration (sharing) services. Shared services are the consolidation and provision of IT service by either a contract service provider or by one department within the same organization previously provided and managed by multiple departments with the same organization.
According to the video, the department of the motor vehicle (DMV), driver license department, and the voter registration offices in the state of Colorado benefited in various ways by contracting their IT service needs to Engility Corporation. Instead of having multiple data centers managed by different organizations or departments, Engility corporation provides these services from their (a single) data center.
Using the services of one IT service provider such as Engility is cost-effective because it eliminates the need for additional hardware, hard drives, and software. Processes are standardized because multiple departments or organizations can use one storage device or server, which is connected to several network components. Furthermore, security improves because access to personal information by multiple IT service providers is reduced to a limited number of authorized individuals. The same firewall and perimeters are used throughout the network reducing system glitches. Engility becomes more aware of system failures and provides better systems/technology, which improves staff motivation. Lastly, the level of service improves when various sections within an organization use the same data center. Service improves because issues are identified and reported, her expert IT team quickly resolve the issue instead of different service providers from different data centers trying to fix the issue.
Reference:
Ivy, K. (Director & Producer). (2015). INF220 Week Four information systems – Infrastructure development approaches part one (Links http://ashford.mediaspace.kaltura.com/media/INF220+Week+Four+Information+Systems+-+Infrastructure+Development+Approaches+Part+One/0_3qdvh9gj (Links to an external site.)
Dis 2
David
The internet of things (IoT) was explained in week three as a web or platform where smart devices communicated with each other and people to deliver valuable data sharing. Now, for these systems to be able to share information efficient and securely, an IT infrastructure is needed to host all the hardware components for secured data sharing.
According to Karla Lewis, our week four guest speaker and program director for Engility Corporation (an international IT corporation) headquartered in Virginia, her organization provides such infrastructure integration (sharing) services. Shared services are the consolidation and provision of IT service by either a contract service provider or by one department within the same organization previously provided and managed by multiple departments with the same organization.
According to the video, the department of the motor vehicle (DMV), driver license department, and the voter registration offices in the state of Colorado benefited in various ways by contracting their IT service needs to Engility Corporation. Instead of having multiple data centers managed by different organizations or departments, Engility corporation provides these services from their (a single) data center.
Using the services of one IT service provider such as Engility is cost-effective because it eliminates the need for additional hardware, hard drives, and software. Processes are standardized because multiple departments or organizations can use one storage device or server, which is connected to several network components. Furthermore, security improves because access to personal information by multiple IT service providers is reduced to a limited number of authorized individuals. The same firewall and perimeters are used throughout the network reducing system glitches. Engility becomes more aware of system failures and provides better systems/technology, which improves staff motivation. Lastly, the level of service improves when various sections within an organization use the same data center. Service improves because issues are identified and reported, her expert IT team quickly resolve the issue instead of different service providers from different data centers trying to fix the issue.
Reference:
Ivy, K. (Director & Producer). (2015). INF220 Week Four information systems – Infrastructure development approaches part one (Links http://ashford.mediaspace.kaltura.com/media/INF220+Week+Four+Information+Systems+-+Infrastructure+Development+Approaches+Part+One/0_3qdvh9gj (Links to an external site.)
Silvia
NF220 Week 4 Discussion 2:
Cloud computing enables on-demand network access, quickly and from anywhere to a shared pool of resources such as networks, servers, storage applications, and services which can quickly be supplied and easily released with minimal service provider interaction (Valacich & Schneider, 2016).
Enterprise resource planning (ERP) applications make it easier to store information in one centralized database that is easily accessible to the entire organization. The information that is stored on an ERP system houses all data and applications that serve the entire company as opposed to a standalone application that only stores portions of it (Valacich & Schneider, 2016). ERP systems can reduce a company’s costs of maintaining its IT infrastructure by 50% helping the company to grow. ERP systems also provide employees up to date information (Valacich & Schneider, 2016).
Due to the continued development of hardware and software, there is a need for more storage and networking bandwidth, which results in higher costs to companies. Organizations find this challenging to maintain so instead of using its resources it buys or rents on an as-needed basis from a provider that can support its business processes. Cloud computing provides companies the efficiency, effectiveness, and flexibility needed to compete in the digital world (Valacich & Schneider, 2016). Cloud services are less costly than an organization maintaining its own IS infrastructure making it cost-effective. It also has the flexibility to be scaled up or down immediately and most times automatically. Cloud services can be accessed from any device with access to the internet (Valacich & Schneider, 2016). Cloud computing also provides better security, faster speed, and delivers better performance.
Some disadvantages in using cloud services are not all providers can meet all the needs of an organization. Companies may have to work with multiple providers to acquire all the resources it needs. Cloud service can be public or private, and depending on the business needs an organization may need to use both. When deciding which cloud provider to use it is critical to keep in mind its availability, reliability, scalability, viability, security, privacy, compliance, diversity of offerings, openness, and most importantly cost (Valacich &Schneider, 2016). Due to system failures, hardware failures, and programming errors, a firm must evaluate which applications to move to the cloud, and how to ensure the availability of the service (Valacich & Schneider, 2016).
According to Dr. Jerrod Patterson, the benefits of using global standards is the ability to develop better service agreements and provide better services to their customers (Ivy, 2015). Applying global standards gives them the flexibility to transition clients from their old legacy technology to a new IP based network easily (Ivy, 2015). I think using global standards would benefit an organization when integrating cloud computing because it provides faster and efficient information and is less costly than the organization building its own IS and constantly having to update to continue to meet the needs of the company.
Respectfully,
Silvia
References
Ivy, K. (Director & Producer). (2015). INF220 Week Four information systems – Network technologies development approaches. Retrieved from http://ashford.mediaspace.kaltura.com/media/INF220+Week+Four+Information+Systems+-+Network+Technologies+Development+Approaches/0_np0hexf9
Valacich, J. A., & Schneider, C. (2016). Information systems today: Managing in the digital world (7th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall