Cloud Solutions and Agile Methodologies in Auto-Parts Business

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of cloud-based solutions and agile methodologies, specifically focusing on their application within the auto-parts business sector. It begins by defining cloud-based solutions and agile methodologies, highlighting their growing importance in modern ind...Read More

Running Head: CLOUD BASED SOLUTIONS AND AGILE METHODOLOGIES 1
Application of Cloud Based Solutions and Agile Methodologies in Auto-Parts Business
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Introduction
Cloud-based solutions can be defined as storage and resources that can be accessed by an
organization over the internet. Currently, many industries have incorporated cloud-based
solutions into their daily activities (Liu, Chang, Han, Trivedi & Rodríguez, 2018). On the other
hand, agile methodology is one of the techniques that is used in software development. It
involves evaluation of the system by the stakeholders, and afterwards, changes are taken into
consideration in the next release. The main aim of this report is to identify cloud-based solutions
and agile methodology that can be applicable in development of the proposed auto-house
warehouse management system.
Cloud Based Solutions
Software as a Service (SaaS)
SaaS is one of the cloud-based solutions that enables companies and organizations to
access host applications over the internet. These applications can only be accessed by approved
users (Seethamraju, 2015). Regarding auto-spares management system, SaaS applications can be
used to enhance relationship between the management and the customers. This will be achieved
through incorporation of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) technology that is cloud
based. Also, SaaS applications will be used to enhance collaboration among employees.
Strengths of SaaS
 Automatic updates. SaaS applications will reduce the burden of buying new software
since there are updates that can be installed automatically.
 Easy accessibility to company services. The customers of auto-parts business will access
services of the company with ease as long as there is an internet connection Scalable

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usage. The SaaS applications enable customers to view more features when the demand
arises (Seethamraju, 2015).
 Less costly. The company will only pay a subscription fee to access hosted applications.
Therefore, saving the costs that could have been incurred by purchasing necessary
hardware (Seethamraju, 2015).
Weaknesses of SaaS
 Slower speeds. Generally, client/server applications are faster than SaaS applications.
This will hinder management from accessing information in real-time.
 Connectivity requirements. SaaS applications may lead to data unavailability because of
low internet connection. Hence, hindering business operations.
 Less control. The company will have less control over hosted applications as compared to
tailored applications (Tiwari & Joshi, 2016).
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
IaaS is a cloud-based solution that enables customers to outsource hardware and network
components. One of the characteristics of IaaS include dynamic scaling (Liu et al., 2018).
Regarding the proposed auto-parts business system, IaaS will enable management to access
computing infrastructure over the internet.
Strengths of IaaS
 Cost saving. IaaS will reduce the burden of purchasing necessary hardware that are
required for running software applications. Also, IaaS providers maintain the equipment
(Madni, Latiff & Coulibaly, 2016).

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 Easy implementation. The new projects that are undertaken by auto-parts company will
be implemented easily since computing infrastructure will be readily available.
 Easy connection of company locations. Different distribution centers will be linked
easily, therefore, enhancing real-time operations (Madni et al., 2016).
Weaknesses of IaaS
 Over dependency on providers. The management will depend on the IaaS providers for
computing infrastructure services (Liu et al., 2018).
 Internet connectivity is required. The business operations will stop when the internet
speed is very low, thus interfering with selling of auto-parts.
 Privacy issues. The management doesn’t have an idea where remote servers are located.
Thus, the information of auto-parts business may be leaked to competitors (Liu et al.,
2018).
Platform as a Service (PaaS)
PaaS provides developers with necessary tools that are required for development of a
system. Some of the services that are offered to developers include infrastructure and
middleware (Yangui et al., 2016).
Strengths of PaaS
 Cost effective. PaaS is very cheap since virtual machines will be managed by the
providers rather than auto-parts warehouse system developers.
 Simplify development lifecycle. The auto-parts business proposed system will be
deployed and tested in one platform (Yangui et al., 2016).

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 Systems are built faster. PaaS will enable developers to deliver the system within a short
time because an activity such as configurations is taken care of by the vendor (Yangui et
al., 2016).
Weaknesses of PaaS
 Vendor lock-in. There will be some difficulties when transferring auto-parts services to
another provider (Matsumoto, Kawai & Takeda, 2017).
 Security challenges. The data and information of auto-parts business may be stored in
databases of other third parties, thus vulnerable to attacks and unauthorized access
(Matsumoto et al., 2017).
Unified Process (UP) Vs Scrum
The Unified Process (UP) is a software development process that is iterative in nature.
Some of its characteristics include architecture-centric and risk focused. On the other hand,
Scrum is an agile methodology that is applied where users’ requirements keep on changing from
time to time (Sharma & Wadhwa, 2015).
The following are similarities between U.P and Scrum:
 Both U.P. and Scrum are agile.
 The development process is divided into different stages in both frameworks.
 Iterative approach is used in both frameworks.
 Both frameworks concentrate on the product quality.
 Collaboration is an important aspect in both frameworks (Sharma & Wadhwa, 2015).
The table 1 below shows differences between UP and Scrum:

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UP SCRUM
Artifacts Scope document and
development plan are formal
All artifacts are informal
except operational software
Scope It is well documented. Also, it
can be changed when the
need arises.
Project backlog is used rather
than scope.
Planning The time for project
completion is specified.
The time for project
completion is not specified.
The deadline of a project is
determined by the owner.
Cycle Each phase has a well-
defined formal cycle.
Each iteration is regarded as a
complete cycle (Shaydulin &
Sybrandt, 2017).
Recommendations
I recommend the proposed system to be developed using Scrum due to the following
reasons:
 Scrum methodology leads to employee and customer satisfaction. During the
development process, the customer and employees are consulted from time to time.
Afterwards, the system developer incorporates their ideas and suggestions in the next
release, thus leading to satisfaction.
 Lower costs. The Auto-Parts business will use less costs to develop the proposed system.
This is because documentations such as development and test will be reduced.

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 Faster development of the proposed system. The proposed system will be developed
much faster and delivered to Auto-Parts business for implementation.
 Adaptability. This is because the requirements will be defined as the development
process is underway. Hence, enhancing flexibility.
Conclusion
In conclusion, cloud based solutions enhances data and information availability.
Therefore, solutions such as IaaS, PaaS and SaaS will play some vital roles in Auto-Parts
business. Some of the advantages of these solutions include lowering overall costs. Other than
cloud based solutions, the Scrum framework will also play vital roles in the development of the
proposed systems. The following are some of the reasons as to why Scrum framework will be
more useful than the Unified Process; employee and customer satisfaction, lowering of costs and
adaptability.

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References
Liu, B., Chang, X., Han, Z., Trivedi, K., & Rodríguez, R. J. (2018). Model-based sensitivity
analysis of iaas cloud availability. Future Generation Computer Systems, 83, 1-13.
Madni, S. H. H., Latiff, M. S. A., & Coulibaly, Y. (2016). Resource scheduling for infrastructure
as a service (IaaS) in cloud computing: Challenges and opportunities. Journal of Network
and Computer Applications, 68, 173-200.
Matsumoto, O., Kawai, K., & Takeda, T. (2017). FUJITSU Cloud Service K5 PaaS Digitalizes
Enterprise Systems. FUJITSU Sci. Tech. J, 53(1), 17-24.
Seethamraju, R. (2015). Adoption of software as a service (SaaS) enterprise resource planning
(ERP) systems in small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). Information systems
frontiers, 17(3), 475-492.
Sharma, N., & Wadhwa, M. (2015). eXSRUP: Hybrid Software Development Model Integrating
Extreme Programing, Scrum & Rational Unified Process. TELKOMNIKA Indonesian
Journal of Electrical Engineering, 16(2), 377-388.
Shaydulin, R., & Sybrandt, J. (2017). To Agile, or not to Agile: A Comparison of Software
Development Methodologies. arXiv preprint arXiv:1704.07469.
Yangui, S., Ravindran, P., Bibani, O., Glitho, R. H., Hadj-Alouane, N. B., Morrow, M. J., &

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Polakos, P. A. (2016, June). A platform as-a-service for hybrid cloud/fog environments.
In 2016 IEEE International Symposium on Local and Metropolitan Area Networks
(LANMAN) (pp. 1-7). IEEE.
Tiwari, P. K., & Joshi, S. (2016). Data security for software as a service. In Web-Based Services:
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