Strategic Plan: Cloud Computing Implementation for Bristol Paints

This report provides a strategic plan for Bristol Paints, an Australian-based decorative supplier, to implement cloud computing. It begins by assessing the need for change, highlighting the limitations of the current ERP and CRM systems, and the increasing demand for mobile technology. The plan an...Read More

Running head: STRATEGIC PLAN
strategic plan
[Document subtitle]
[DATE]
[Company name]
[Company address]

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Table of Contents
Purpose and Components of Strategic Plan.....................................................................................2
Introduction..................................................................................................................................2
Need for Change..............................................................................................................................2
Issue.............................................................................................................................................2
Current Bristol Paintal State............................................................................................................3
Concept........................................................................................................................................3
Critical Success Factors...................................................................................................................3
Integration of Strategic Cloud Computing and Business Strategies............................................3
Internal Change Assessments and Influencers................................................................................3
External Change Assessments and Influencers...............................................................................4
Risk..................................................................................................................................................4
Recommendations and Conclusions................................................................................................5

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Purpose and Components of Strategic Plan
Introduction
In the present era, the organizational presence in social media and subsequent exploitation of
wireless and mobile technologies is in everyone’s mind. The emergence of cloud computing and
subsequent increase in customer’s demand and wants regarding the mobile technology forces the
Bristol Paints to take into consideration the concept of going mobile. Without it, they may be
perceived as obsolete and may also force to get themselves failed in the constantly dynamic
environment. In this strategic plan, we will assess the needs of the Bristol Paints which is an
Australian based decorative supplier company to implement the cloud computing in the Bristol
Paint and the related advantages and risk of this system. In last the relevant recommendation is
provided to implement the plan successfully.
Need for Change
Issue
The current model available in Bristol Paint is the ERP solution, which is integral as we can
control the various company processes and they are interrelated and adaptable to company’s
idiosyncrasies. As per ERP, it helps the departmental groups that are related to each other with
the information and data they generate and share from the processes. The major issue which is
faced by the Bristol Paints currently regarding the ERP model is that is very costly and requires a
high experienced and skilled executives to operate it. Also the software’s efficiency is reduced
when there is resistance to share the internal and confidential information between the
departments. Because of the changes that are strong enough to implement the ERP system in the
work culture, there can be disinterested or poorly trained to make use of the existing staff. A
huge investment in this software requires much maintenance and support from the skills which

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the Bristol Paint is lacking and also the ERP solution is 5 years old. Also, the CRM system is
getting aged and does not have any mobile enabled feature.
Current Bristol Paint’s State
Concept
In order to realize the complete potential from the applications of Internet of Things, technology
requires to be evolved and provide low cost and more vigorous data analytics. In every setting,
system of internet of Things raise relevant questions regarding privacy and data security. In the
Bristol Paint, taking the advantage of the opportunity of Internet of Things will ask the leaders to
embrace truly the data that is driven by decision making. An automated collection of data is the
key application regarding the wearable sensors at the Bristol Paint, specifically in the
manufacturing industry (Xia, et al., 2012). Internet of things in manufacturing industry has a lot
of potential but is significant to possess a realistic and actual view regarding this technology that
is emerging.
Critical Success Factors
Integration of Strategic Cloud Computing and Business Strategies
Strategic cloud computing planning must fit with basic strategies of business. This does not
mean a plan which encompasses each Bristol Paint level, but the system of value chain and
sustainment of business opportunities and innovation. There is a need to align the cloud services
with the business services faced by clients for completely integrating the strategic plans with
business strategies that may help to rationalize the investments in infrastructure.
Internal Change Assessments and Influencers
Cost Saving: The cloud computing involves system of pay-as-you-go structure as it is applied to
the storage space of data which is required to service the clients and stakeholders.

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Security: Cloud computing’s responsibility is comparatively more effective than the traditional
in-house system in which the company must proportionate its efforts in the myriad of concerns
related to IT amongst which the security is the primary concern (Ross, et al., 2010).
Flexibility: The cloud computing offers various business flexibility and improved freedom
which can make sufficient difference in overall effectiveness of the Bristol Paint.
Mobility: Cloud computing offer mobile and convenient access to all the corporate data by using
devices and smartphones for better balance in work-life.
External Change Assessments and Influencers
Quality Control: In a system of cloud computing, all the documents are stored at single place
and format. Every person accessing the similar information can help maintain the data
consistency, prevention of human error and having a clear maintenance of updates or revision.
Disaster Recovery: Services which are cloud based offers speedy recovery of data for every
emergency situations from the natural calamities to power outages. Actual sustainability
addresses the wastefulness at each Bristol Paint level and cloud computing is eco-friendly with
less footprints of carbon.
Competitive edge: The Bristol Paints who prefer to localize everything puts them at certain
disadvantage when they are compared with those who implement the system of cloud computing.
Risk
The application of resources of cloud computing and its users in an environment of cloud
computing represents security threats (Takabi, et al., 2010). Providers of cloud services involves
hosting of confidential data which include transferring huge Bristol Paint control over the
security of data to the providers. Business continuity and data availability are at significant risk

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due to loss of connectivity in internet. However, despite these disadvantages, the Bristol Paint
must implement Cloud computing to sustain its advancement in the competitive environment.
Recommendations and Conclusions
Cloud computing offers online environment to manage the high volume of tasks without
influencing the performance system. Optimized infrastructure of IT offers speedy access to
required commuting services. There is no requirement of software or hardware maintenance or
installation. The Bristol Paints may give and rent the additional space of server instead of
maintaining the proprietary server without upgradation of their resources. They have flexible
virtual infrastructure of IT in various location and provide low cost.

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REFERENCES
Ross, V.W., 2010. Factors Influencing the Adoption of Cloud Computing by Decision Making
Managers. ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway, PO Box 1346, Ann Arbor, MI 48106.
Takabi, H., Joshi, J.B. and Ahn, G.J., 2010. Security and privacy challenges in cloud computing
environments. IEEE Security & Privacy, 8(6), pp.24-31.
Xia, F., Yang, L.T., Wang, L. and Vinel, A., 2012. Internet of things. International Journal of
Communication Systems, 25(9), p.1101.