Cloud computing is defined as a model for enabling convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of computing resources rapidly provisioning with the least management effort or service provider interaction. Cloud computing hosts programs on a web-based service by using a network of large computers to handle the storage and function of the programs which otherwise would create a heavy workload for the smaller computer.
Cloud computing is extensively used for large-scale data-intensive applications to provide software flexibility, scalability, customization of software platforms, cost reduction, lower maintenance, and better resource utilization.
Understanding Cloud 2.0
Cloud 2.0 is a term representing the next stage in the development of cloud-based applications that apply to software and platforms and not to any infrastructure or service.
How is Cloud 2.0 different from Cloud 1.0?
The first stage of the cloud delivery model termed Cloud 1.0 is a Software as a Service (SaaS) platform. It was developed to provide access to applications just like the desktop applications which were hosted in the cloud.
Cloud 2.0, on the other hand, integrates Web 2.0 social networking features and functionality into cloud-based applications. Collaboration and real-time information sharing between the users are the key characteristics of Cloud 2.0 that promote business benefits.
Cloud 1.0 and Cloud 2.0 ERP products are two distinct generations of software that are divided among other things by mobility.
Cloud 2.0 comes with better upgrades, security benchmarks, and policies. It addresses new challenges like provenance, content verification, and notarying.
Cloud 2.0 is powered by the following drivers:
- Maturing User Community: Earlier the business intelligence (BI) consumers were limited to a few highly technical users within a company.
- New Technology: Cloud 2.0 is capable of matching new workloads and data on the best possible platforms as the technology advancements are driving the adoption of Hybrid Data Ecosystems.
- Valuable Data Types: Before the advent of Cloud 2.0, the primary focus of the enterprise was on structured information best leveraged by SQL. However, with the new technologies it has become possible to incorporate new and highly valuable data into analytic processes.
Benefits of using Cloud Computing
Cloud computing offers several benefits for the company, its employees, and its customers. This includes:
- Potentially infinite scalability is achieved by using cloud service’s remote servers for storage enabling the users to use only the storage space required by them.
- Easy and automatic updates are provided by the company hosting the cloud service which also takes care of the security of the software.
- Cloud computing enables employees to access important documents from their homes or offices or on the go by making use of Internet access.
- The collaboration is made easier as cloud users can work on the same document from multiple PCs simultaneously.
Business and Financial Benefits of Adopting Cloud 2.0
Cloud 2.0 provides a shift for the business intelligence and analytics industry. Its new level of features and functions enables the enterprise to deliver on its early promises. Cloud 2.0 provides leading solutions to achieve lower capital and operational costs, and faster implementations and deliveries. According to the research by Enterprise Management Associates (EMA), companies that have adopted this model are realizing significant upfront capital cost reductions; close to about 40% of respondents reporting approximately 30% cost savings as compared to those with traditionally deployed projects.
The report also suggests that 41 percent of the research respondents have already implemented an Enterprise BI/DM system in a Cloud computing environment, whereas departmental systems have been implemented by 28 percent only.
Cloud 2.0 brings with it better technology and at the same time lowers economic hurdles to address the business concerns of information technology in the enterprise. The next generation of the cloud gives the user more flexibility to work whenever, wherever, and on whatever device the user wants to work on.