Cloud Computing: Importance, Development, Platforms, and Business Applications

This report provides a critical analysis of cloud computing, its importance in businesses, its development, technological platforms and software used, and its effectiveness as a business tool. It also discusses the relationship between digital technologies and emerging theories on business and management structures and practices.

Digital Business & New
Technologies

Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
Why the chosen topic is considered as important?......................................................................1
How this technological topic has developed?..............................................................................1
Brief description of the technology used along with its importance...........................................1
What technological platforms and software are used in the topic?.............................................1
What type of business and organisation uses the technology......................................................1
How is it used as a business tool and its effectiveness in the business?......................................1
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................1
Critically discuss the nature of relationship between digital technologies. Also discuss the
emerging theories, both old and new, on business and management structures and practices?. .1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................2
CONCLUSION ...............................................................................................................................2
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................2

INTRODUCTION
Digital business is increasing with each passing day in today's hectic world. With the
growth in digital businesses, new technologies are also coming into force. Businesses use these
technologies to make their work easier and initiate smart work rather than hard work (Markus
and Loebbecke, 2013). Digital businesses and the formation of new technologies are quite
common now-a-days. This report contains a critical analysis on the topic “Cloud Computing”.
Further, the report discusses about the new technologies along with their importance in
businesses and the challenges faced while dealing with these techniques.
MAIN BODY
TASK 1
Why the chosen topic is considered as important?
Cloud computing serves as a data storage in computer systems used for storing important
information by the businesses. Cloud allows to have access to the network of communication
techniques such as emails, messages, etc. All the information of the business regarding
everything is now-a-days, stored on the computer systems (Keen and Williams, 2013). Cloud
computing keep this information safe by preventing data loss. All the information entered into
the computer systems are stored in the hardware of service providers. It is much reliable in
comparison to manual work where people can easily make changes resulting into fraud and
forgery. Manual work, once destroyed, will never be recovered. On the other hand, backup of
data stored online can be retrieved easily. Hence, cloud computing is quite useful for businesses
to store important information and keep them safe.
How this technological topic has developed?
In the earlier days of 1960s, the concept of sharing information became popular.
Platforms such as Multics were used for the purpose. Amazon was the one who sew the seeds for
the incorporation of cloud computing. It introduced its Simple Storage Service (S3) which was
later replaced and was named as Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) for its customers. The purpose of
the storage service was to make it convenient for the customers to store data at one place so that
they can find and use it easily later, if needed. Also the aim of the storage service was to make
innovations in their application (El Sawy and Pereira 2013). The introduction of Simple Storage

Service (S3) has now developed and has taken the shape of Cloud computing which is of great
importance in today's time.
Brief description of the technology used along with its importance.
Cloud computing can be defined as the demand for a storage online to store data safely
and keep it secure inside the computer systems. It deals especially with the problem of data
storage and computing power without the user directly being engaged in the management
process (Slywotzky and Morrison, 2001). This technology of cloud computing is very important
for large enterprises. It easily make them function at a place more than one at the same time.
Operations in the business are becoming faster and easier with the help of cloud computing. It
helped all types of organizations in cutting down their costs of maintaining books manually,
employees for the same and a significant amount on the stationery. The funds retained now can
be utilized for the expansion of business by enhancing the working capital.
What technological platforms and software are used in the topic?
Computing platforms and storage service software are being used in the technology of
cloud computing to operate in the organization. It helps the cloud-based users to store their
valuable data safely with the help of this technological software. The cloud enables users to store
the information as well as organize them in the correct and systematic manner. This helps the
organization to find the data easily and conveniently whenever needed and contributes in
enhancing the productivity with the saving of time. This helps the organization touch the skies of
success by maximising their profitability.
What type of business and organisation uses the technology.
Every type of organization whether small or large, private or public uses the technology
of cloud computing for the purpose of storing information safely and securely of the enterprise.
Every business operating in the industry have information related to their business, sometimes
confidential too, to keep (Sathananthan, Hoetker, Gamrad, 2017). Cloud computing removes the
tension of businesses to store this information by providing them a storage cloud where they can
easily store all of their information with proper security. Also the cloud enables the users to
manage and organize their information as per their needs so that they can easily find it later,
whenever necessary. It is beneficial for and used by every type of organization especially the
ones who have large information to store so that they can operate smoothly. Digital businesses

use this technology to make their applications run faster and smoother, so that it is convenient for
the consumers to use them.
How is it used as a business tool and its effectiveness in the business?
Cloud computing is one of the important tools used by businesses for operating smoothly
in the industry. The digital business are getting the most benefit from this technology. Cloud
computing enables organizations to cut down their costs and minimise the cost spent on the IT
infrastructure. Further, it also help businesses to operate their business operations easily online
by removing several hurdles which make the processing of the application slow. It requires less
maintenance and serves as an advanced source of managing information regarding businesses.
The ease in its usage and reliability by the businesses on it has made it popular among the
organizations. Cloud computing has a high computing power and a large capacity of storing
information which makes the work of organizations much easier and also save their time.
TASK 2
Critically discuss the nature of relationship between digital technologies. Also discuss the
emerging theories, both old and new, on business and management structures and
practices?
Today's world is often known as digital world where new and different technologies
come into force rapidly. These quick changes in the technology help business a lot in growing
and expanding their operations all over the globe. Every organization wants to make the best use
of technology so that they can maximise their profits (Chaffey, Edmundson-Bird, and Hemphill,
2019). There are various theories on business and management structures which help to study the
use of the chosen technology,i.e., cloud computing.
Decision Making Theory
Decision making theory of business management is a theory which states how an
individual should behave under different circumstances of risk and uncertainty. It helps an
individual make decisions. Cloud computing helps to take decisions based on the information
stored in the software of service provider which enhances the performance of the organization.
Quantitative theory
Quantitative theory of business management is the theory used by businesses to solve
complex and typical problems that arise in operating the business activities. Cloud computing

enable businesses to store large information at a single place as well as organize them. The
organization can find solutions to their complex problems with the support or help of the stored
data.
System theory
Systems theory of management is a theory which states that an organization have several
components which functions together so that the aim or objective of the organization could be
achieved. Cloud computing by helping in the process of decision making, providing support to
complex problems, etc., make the different components and departments of the organization
work together. Cloud computing makes the work of departments easier by organizing the
information so that they can operate smoothly. Cloud computing is really important now-a-days
for the smooth operations of the business by making all the components of the organization work
effectively in a systematic manner.
Contingency theory
Contingency theory of business management is an organizational theory which states that
there is no best way of organizing an entity, to perfect decisions or how to successfully carry on
the operations within an entity. Cloud computing helps in carrying out operations in a much
effective and easy manner by reducing the problems of messing up of the information and its
maintenance.
Types of E-commerce models
E-commerce refers to the online operations of buying and selling products and services
with the help of internet. The use of E-commerce includes the usage of several technologies such
as internet marketing, online transacting, net banking and so on. There are 6 types of e-
commerce business models used by digital businesses for the expansion of their business
operations and are discussed below: Business-to-Consumer (B2C) – Business-to-Consumer is the first model of e-commerce
which deals in the sale of the products and services from the businesses to consumers
directly and does not involve any interference by the third party. Cloud computing helps
to run online applications smoothly which help business to connect well and easily with
their customers (Coupey, 2016). The technology help consumers to store information
regarding any product in an organized manner so that they can easily find it and order to
avail the benefit of the commodity.

 Consumer-to-Business (C2B) – Consumer-to-Business is the second model of E-
commerce which is used when the consumers create value and the organization takes the
benefit from it or consume the value processed. Reviews by customers help businesses in
improving their products and services. It is the best example to describe the C2B model.
Cloud computing helps in storing informations in business. This information include the
reviews of the from the customers as well. Feedback of customers helps the business to
improve their services and also increases the sales, in case of positive reviews. Business-to-Business (B2B) – Business-to-Business is the third model of E-commerce
which is applied when there is selling and purchasing transactions between two
businesses. It is used when one business sells its product or service to the other for some
value. Cloud computing also enables businesses to make transactions with other business
organizations in the same manner just like the first model where one business is the
supplier while the other is the customer. Consumer-to-Consumer (C2C) – Consumer-to-Consumer is the fourth type of e-
commerce business model and is applied when there is interaction between two
consumers. When the two or more consumers interact with each other in the marketplace
and share their reviews on the products or services rendered by any business. This
interaction must be among the consumers themselves (Cronin, 2001). Cloud computing
enable businesses to store the reviews and feedbacks of their customers in their
applications. These reviews help other customers to know about the products supplied by
the organization which helps in increasing the potential sales. Business-to-Administration (B2A) – Business-to-Administration is the fifth type of e-
commerce business model where businesses act as suppliers of products and services to
the Government. In B2A model, Government plays the role of customers for the business
sector. Cloud computing helps business and government interact in the same way just as
the first model of B2C where the government is the customer.
 Consumer-to-Administration (C2A) – Consumer-to-Administration is the last type of e-
commerce business model where the electronic means are used by consumers in order to
have access or contact to the government. This model helps the consumers to resolve
their queries and put forward their issues regarding the public sector to the Government.

Information gathered on cloud help the government to know the areas where they have to
work on in order to resolve the problems of the general public.

CONCLUSION
From the above report, it has been concluded that cloud computing is very important for
business and can be taken as the backbone as it contains all the relevant and important
information necessary for carrying out the operations of the business effectively. It helps
organizations to cut down capital costs they used to spend on the maintenance of manual work.
Also it helps digital business to operate their applications smoothly making it convenient for the
consumers to use.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals:
Chaffey, D., Edmundson-Bird, D. and Hemphill, T., 2019. Digital business and e-commerce
management. Pearson UK.
Coupey, E., 2016. Digital business: Concepts and strategies. Routledge.
Cronin, M. J., 2001. Unchained value: The new logic of digital
business. Ubiquity, 2001(January), pp.1-es.
El Sawy, O. A. and Pereira, F., 2013. Digital business models: review and synthesis. Business
modelling in the dynamic digital space, pp.13-20.
Keen, P. and Williams, R., 2013. Value architectures for digital business: beyond the business
model. Mis Quarterly, 37(2), pp.643-647.
Markus, M. L. and Loebbecke, C., 2013. Commoditized digital processes and business
community platforms: New opportunities and challenges for digital business
strategies. Mis Quarterly, 37(2), pp.649-653.
Sathananthan, S., Hoetker, P., Gamrad, D. 2017, November. Realizing digital transformation
through a digital business model design process. In 2017 Internet of Things Business
Models, Users, and Networks (pp. 1-8). IEEE.
Slywotzky, A. and Morrison, D., 2001. Becoming a digital business:‐it’s not about
technology. Strategy & Leadership.