Strategic Options to Optimize IT services in an Organization by using Cloud Computing Technology

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CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

Cloud computing technology has emerged as the new technological paradigm for on-demand delivery and consumption of shared information technology (IT) resources over the Internet. As a new innovation, cloud computing is considered one of the most significant advances in technology evolution of recent years. This phenomenon is associated with the cloud's potential for dramatically altering and transforming how businesses provision, consume, and release computing power, make use of data storages and computer applications, and enable users to engage in access to various forms of networking infrastructures (Armbrust et.al, 2010).

These transformational processes that have emerged because of the materialization of cloud technology has made it possible for institutions and organizations of all sizes, to derive a significant number of technical, financial, and strategic benefits from the adoption of cloud computer services. One of the benefits is the possibility of lowering total ownership costs associated with the procurement of expensive technology. Similarly, cloud technology promises better utilization of resources as well as ensuring efficient access to scalable computational power if and when the need arises for working with large volumes of data. At the same time, the institutions would have with options for returning unused resources back to the cloud when they are not required anymore as well as avoiding paying premium prices for such transactions (Buyya et.al, 2009). This last unique feature of cloud computing known as elasticity is a completely new technical and economical model that breaks away from traditional IT operational practices, making possible a move towards a pay-per-use approach similar to a utility service like water, gas, or electricity.

Background of the Study

Currently the Iraqi Council OF Representatives (COR) as a Foundation is facing the issue of data storage, due to the large amount of data is stored on its network there are several occasions when there servers have gone offline and has made life difficult for the network administrators to get the servers back online without losing any essential information present on those servers. Along, with that another major threat that is being faced by the Iraqi Council OF Representatives (COR) as a Foundation is of secure data transfer over the network, there are certain states of the world that are looking to break into their database to gain the clandestine information regarding the state of the Iraq.

A good measure here would be to implement cloud computing technology inside the Council as the cloud technology consists of multiple delivery methods for cloud solutions, the cloud-based solutions possess the ability to complement traditional productivity applications commonly installed and used in most corporate and business environments. Examples of such applications include various forms of office suites such as word processors, spreadsheets, presentations, email, and collaboration packages (Armbrust et.al, 2009). Also, online backup systems, file storage systems, and enterprise applications such as enterprise resource planning (ERP) or client resource management (CRM) applications are applicable. Within the realm of cloud computing, such alternative ...