Exploitation of cloud computing in management of construction projects in Slovakia

The issue of cloud computing is a highly topical issue. Cloud computing represents a new model for information technology (IT) services based on the exploitation of Web (it represents a cloud) and other application platforms, as well as software as a service. In general, the exploitation of cloud computing in construction project management has several advantages, as demonstrated by several research reports. Currently, research quantifying the exploitation of cloud computing in the Slovak construction industry has not yet been carried out. The article discusses the issue of exploitation of cloud computing in construction project management in Slovakia. The main objective of the research is to confirm whether factors such as size of construction enterprise, owner of construction enterprise and participant of construction project have any impact on the exploitation level of cloud computing in construction project management. It includes confirmation of differences in use between different participants of the construction project or between construction enterprises broken down by size and shareholders

Cloud Migration: A Case Study of Migrating an Enterprise IT System to IaaS

This case study illustrates the potential benefits and risks associated with the migration of an IT system in the oil & gas industry from an in-house data center to Amazon EC2 from a broad variety of stakeholder perspectives across the enterprise, thus transcending the typical, yet narrow, financial and technical analysis offered by providers. Our results show that the system infrastructure in the case study would have cost 37% less over 5 years on EC2, and using cloud computing could have potentially eliminated 21% of the support calls for this system. These findings seem significant enough to call for a migration of the system to the cloud but our stakeholder impact analysis revealed that there are significant risks associated with this. Whilst the benefits of using the cloud are attractive, we argue that it is important that enterprise decision-makers consider the overall organizational implications of the changes brought about with cloud computing to avoid implementing local optimizations at the cost of organization-wide performance.Comment: Submitted to IEEE CLOUD 201

It's written in the cloud: The hype and promise of cloud computing

Purpose of paper: This viewpoint discusses the emerging IT platform of Cloud Computing and discusses where and how this has developed in terms of the collision between internet and enterprise computing paradigms – and hence why cloud computing will be driven not by computing architectures but more fundamental ICT consumption behaviours. Design/methodology/approach: The approach has been based upon the discussion and recent developments of Software as a Service (SaaS) and associated ICT computing metaphors and is largely based upon the contemporary discussion at the moment of the impact of social, open source and configurable technology services. Findings: It is suggested that whilst cloud computing and SaaS are indeed innovations within ICT, the real innovation will come when such platforms allow new industries, sectors, ways of doing business, connecting with and engaging with people to emerge. Thus looking beyond the technology itself. Research limitations/applications: Author viewpoint only, not research based. Practical applications: Brings together some of the recent discussions within the popular as well as business and computing press on social networking, open source and utility computing. Social implications: Suggests that cloud computing can potentially transform and change the way in which IS and IT are accessed, consumed, configured and used in daily life. Originality / value of paper: Author viewpoint on a contemporary subject

Research Issues in Cloud Computing

Cloud computing moved away from personal computers and the individual enterprise application server to services provided by the cloud of computers The emergence of cloud computing has made a tremendous impact on the Information Technology IT industry over the past few years Currently IT industry needs Cloud computing services to provide best opportunities to real world Cloud computing is in initial stages with many issues still to be addressed The objective of this paper is to explore the different issues of cloud computing and identify important research opportunities in this increasingly important area We present different design challenges categorized under security challenges Data Challenges Performance challenges and other Design Challenge

SOA: Trends and Directions

While many organizations have adopted SOA there are recent indications that not all organizations are willing to make substantial investments in new skills and technologies required for the transition to SOA in the current economic climate. The recent emergence of Cloud Computing is continuing the trend of delivering enterprise applications and IT infrastructure in the form of externally sourced services, providing an alternative to on-premise solutions. The convergence of Cloud Computing and Web 2.0 is redefining the very basis on which the computer industry has operated for decades, challenging some of the basic SOA assumptions and principles. In this paper we discuss the synergies between the above technology trends and consider the likely impact of these trends on enterprise computing

Understanding and Supporting Cloud Computing Adoption in Irish Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises

Cloud Computing adoption has experienced a considerable rate of growth since its emergence in 2006. In 2011, it had become the top technology priority for organizations worldwide and according to some leading industry reports the cloud computing market is estimated to reach $241 billion by 2020. Reasons for adoption are multi-fold, including for example the expected realisation of benefits pertaining to cost reduction, improved scalability, improved resource utilization, worker mobility and collaboration, and business continuity, among others. Research into the cloud computing adoption phenomenon has to date primarily focused on its impact on the larger, multinational enterprises. However, one key area of the market where cloud computing is expected to hold considerable promise is that of the Small and Medium Sized Enterprise (SME). SMEs are recognized as being inherently different from their larger enterprise counterparts, not least from a resource constraint perspective and for this reason, cloud computing is reported to offer significant benefits for SMEs through, for example, facilitating a reduction of the financial burden associated with new technology adoption. This paper reports findings from a recent study of Cloud Computing adoption among Irish SMEs. Despite its suggested importance, this study found that almost half of the respondents had not migrated any services or processes to the cloud environment. Further, with respect to those who had transitioned to the cloud, the data suggests that many of these SMEs did not rigorously assess their readiness for adopting cloud computing technology or did not adopt in-depth approaches for managing the cloud life cycle. These findings have important implications for the development/improvement of national strategies or policies to support the successful adoption of Cloud Computing technology among the SME market. This paper puts forward recommendations to support the SME cloud adoption journey

Understanding and Supporting Cloud Computing Adoption in Irish Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs)

Cloud Computing adoption has experienced a considerable rate of growth since its emergence in 2006. In 2011, it had become the top technology priority for organizations worldwide and according to some leading industry reports the cloud computing market is estimated to reach $241 billion by 2020. Reasons for adoption are multi‐fold, including for example the expected realisation of benefits pertaining to cost reduction, improved scalability, improved resource utilization, worker mobility and collaboration, and business continuity, among others. Research into the cloud computing adoption phenomenon has to date primarily focused on its impact on the larger, multinational enterprises. However, one key area of the market where cloud computing is expected to hold considerable promise is that of the Small and Medium Sized Enterprise (SME). SMEs are recognized as being inherently different from their larger enterprise counterparts, not least from a resource constraint perspective and for this reason, cloud computing is reported to offer significant benefits for SMEs through, for example, facilitating a reduction of the financial burden associated with new technology adoption. This paper reports findings from a recent study of Cloud Computing adoption among Irish SMEs. Despite its suggested importance, this study found that almost half of the respondents had not migrated any services or processes to the cloud environment. Further, with respect to those who had transitioned to the cloud, the data suggests that many of these SMEs did not rigorously assess their readiness for adopting cloud computing technology or did not adopt in‐depth approaches for managing the cloud lifecycle. These findings have important implications for the development/improvement of national strategies or policies to support the successful adoption of Cloud Computing technology among the SME market. This paper puts forward recommendations to support the SME cloud adoption journey

Impact of Merging Cloud with Customary ERP in Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in Pakistan

Information management system changes as system enhances. Current ERP in firms is known as a customary ERP system. In recent an innovative technology, cloud emerges with enterprise resource planning and these systems shift to the cloud. These systems are labelled as Cloud enterprise resource planning systems. Cloud ERP an effective solution of a number of problems, come across by customary ERP in terms of cost, accessibility and reliability. Cloud ERP is cost effectual in term of hardware and software. The aim of this research was to persuade that merging of cloud with ERP is an appropriate alternative to customary ERP for local and heavy data storage accessibility and impact of cloud adoption in SMEs and technology, organization, environment factors that affect the adoption and transformation on cloud a survey base investigation in applying on these factors. TOE was given a broader view of IT upgrade, adoption and transformation. Keywords: Customary ERP, Cloud ERP,  Cloud Computing, Cloud merging, TOE Framework