Cloud computing - publié le 03/12/2009

Résumé du document

Undeniably, the technology over the Internet is evolving constantly since its creation. Actually, a new trend of using the Internet with business is showing up named Cloud Computing. This web technology offers new opportunities for companies or individuals to cut costs through the delivery of online software and other services. Various online providers such as Google, Amazon, IBM and many others offer a wide range of services. As this technology is burgeoning, major actors in this business adopt their own pioneer strategy that can be effective or not. But at the same time, some smaller players want to enter the game and play a role in the market by having opportunities to gain customers. This switch from inside controlled data to online services could however create fears about security and trust and this is the major concern that companies and individuals are facing with this new technology over the Internet. There is no doubt that nowadays, Cloud Computing is becoming more and more known in the Web World. This new technology is burgeoning and we can see a lot of concrete opportunities for businesses in the future. Some existing companies are trying to develop Cloud Computing through various forms and several strategies. Thus, we are going to see first, the definition and the history of Cloud Computing to better understand opportunities and issues that we are going to study. The major actors of this market will be described. Then, we will analyze their own strategy and if they will be able to be successful or unsuccessful. And finally, we will see how Cloud Computing will impact business in the next 10 years and we will finish with our recommendations.

Extraits

[...] IBM is definitely a consequent player on the Cloud Computing Market. In fact, its “Blue cloud strategy”[36] is based on storing data and running applications from PCs to IBM's data centers. IBM offers multiple services and systems for businesses with its “Cloudburst” and “Smart Business”[37] and more precisely specially “workload-centric solutions driving efficiencies and innovation across the business; Superior service management providing visibility, control and automation across IT and business services; New deployment choices over the IBM cloud, behind firewalls or as an integrated service delivery platform, etc.”[38] Moreover, IBM is located in several regions of the world through the building of data centers, Ireland, Vietnam, Chine, South Africa, Japan, Brazil, India, Korea, etc. [...]

[...] Another issue that every cloud provider has to challenge is: smartphones. Microsoft is already on this market with its Windows mobile applications, as well as Apple with Mobile.me but with a smaller success. Then, Apple regretted going on the cloud with its mobile.me[44], which has not been so successful than predicted. Thus, Apple should redefine its cloud strategy to be more successful and should lean on its ITunes success to ripen its cloud business model. And the development of IWork 09 is going in this way. [...]

[...] ‘Wait and See' is for them one of the best things to do. V Successful or unsuccessful in the future? According to a Survey made in the US from IDC dated September 2009[43] of the 262 questioned companies in different sectors are using Google Docs, contrary to one year before. These results show us that the potential of developing these kinds of applications by Google is surging and announce a very interesting future for Google on the Cloud Computing market. [...]

[...] Besides, Microsoft is at the top of researches and financial supports to develop its software applications because it is strategic to survive without getting money from software licenses. Moreover, Microsoft has to do review its strategy because it is losing market shares on its main market: PC sales; due to the emergence of other operating systems like Linux, Mac OS and the reduction of prices to buy computers. There is no doubt that Microsoft's margin is going to decrease in the next years. [...]

[...] Some existing companies are trying to develop Cloud Computing through various forms and several strategies. Thus, we are going to see first the definition and the history of Cloud Computing to better understand opportunities and issues that we are going to study. The major actors of this market will be described. Then, we will analyze their own strategy and if they are able to be successful or unsuccessful in the future. And finally, we will see how Cloud Computing would impact business within the next 10 years and we will finish with our recommendations. [...]