Cloud Computing Strategies for Webb's Store: A Report

This report analyzes cloud computing solutions for Webb's Store, a retail business aiming to improve its operations. It explores key cloud computing concepts like flexibility, security, and cost-effectiveness. The report examines how Webb's Store can leverage Amazon Web Services (AWS) to integrate new stores and implement a 'checkout-free' system. It details the advantages and disadvantages of Software as a Service (SaaS), Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), and Platform as a Service (PaaS) models, recommending Salesforce as a suitable SaaS solution. The report also includes a comparison of IaaS and PaaS approaches for migrating Webb's database to the cloud, providing recommendations based on the analysis. This comprehensive approach aims to guide Webb's Store in making informed decisions about cloud adoption to enhance its business performance.

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Cloud Computing
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Author’s note
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Executive Summary
The retailers have planned to utilise the cloud technology in their premises to prosper their
business activities. The cloud vendors provide the platform and the retailers can enjoy the
cloud services in lieu of a minimum charge amount. Webb’s Store can be embellished
largely by taking all the cloud computing approaches and in this report, it has been
discussed why Webb’s Store must take the IaaS services to ensure safety and security of
their company activities. It has been discussed in the presentation that via SaaS services
Webb’s Store can embellish their email and computerised services. Webb’s Store can bloom
their retail industry via Salesforce and will definitely help to stay connected with the users
or consumers throughout day and night. They can also identify the customers’ buying
patterns and can manage their company’s food products via the installation of ‘checkout-
free’ system.
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Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................3
1.a. The key concepts of Cloud Computing and why do you think that a move to the cloud
will benefit Webb’s Store...........................................................................................................4
Cloud computing providing benefits to Webb’s Store...............................................................4
1.b. Explain how Webb’s could use AWS to integrate their new regional group of stores into
their existing operations.............................................................................................................7
1.c. Explanation of the cloud architectures Webb’s Store can use to integrate the operations
and the reasons for use...............................................................................................................9
2.a. The advantages that Webb’s Store can achieve if they use this type of SaaS service......11
2.b. The disadvantages that Webb’s Store can achieve if they use this type of SaaS service. 12
2.c. The SaaS service that I like to recommend-......................................................................12
i. The name of the service....................................................................................................13
ii. How is it better than other similar services?....................................................................13
iii. What are its specific disadvantages?..............................................................................14
References................................................................................................................................16
3.i. An IaaS approach to migrating Webb’s database to the cloud..........................................18
3.ii. A PaaS approach to migrating Webb’s database to the cloud..........................................18
3.iii. Create a table that shows the advantages and disadvantages of each approach..............18
3.iv. What is the approach that you would recommend and give your reasons for
recommending this approach?..................................................................................................20
Conclusion................................................................................................................................21
References................................................................................................................................22
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Introduction
Cloud computing involves the use of hardware and software online over the
Internet. The retailers have planned to utilise the cloud technology in their premises to
prosper their business activities (Azam et al., 2013). The cloud vendors provide the platform
and the retailers can enjoy the cloud services in lieu of a minimum charge amount.
The presentation grandstands the vital aspects of cloud computing and shows why
Webb’s Store should adopt this technology for good. The usefulness of Amazon AWS cloud
framework and the IaaS, PaaS, SaaS services have been detailed both in the report and the
presentation.
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1.a. The key concepts of Cloud Computing and why do you think that a move to the cloud
will benefit Webb’s Store
The concepts of the Cloud Computing are as follows-
Flexibility: If any organisation wants to extend their business activities, want to shift
to the cloud they must opt the cloud computing technology (Dinh et al., 2013). The Cloud
Computing technology offers the agility and efficiency which in terms offers the flexibility to
business organisations.
Security: The business organisations take help from the cloud vendor platform and
they use their secure cloud database to store and access the files. Therefore, there is no
chance of any security breaches in the secured cloud database (Azam et al., 2013). The data
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can be accessed by the companies everywhere every time from any devices and they do not
have to worry about the security issues.
Automatic update of the software: The cloud software the company uses get
automatically updated so they do not have to think or worry about the software updates,
these save the time of the companies (Dinh et al., 2013). Thus they can utilise the saved
time in useful activities.
Augmented team cooperation: Different team members from different zones can
work in the cloud environment all at the same time, the cloud technology can be accessed
from any devices too and it is not limited to laptops or desktops, the cloud platform can be
accessed from the smartphones too. This enhances the team collaboration.
Working from anywhere anytime: Cloud Computing embellish the users to access
the cloud platform from anywhere, they just need the Internet connection and that’s it
(Dinh et al., 2013). The cloud platform can be accessed from the devices like laptops and
even smart phones enhancing the business activities the organisations.
Cost-effective: Sharing the cloud platform lessens the budget of the companies the
companies will not have to purchase and maintain specific hardware and software for their
companies, thus it saves both time and money.
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Cloud computing providing benefits to Webb’s Store
Webb’s Store like all other companies can take the cloud technology benefits,
they can enhance their retailing business with the cloud computing. Thus adopting the cloud
technology, they can learn the customers’ wish list, customers’ demands and customers’
buying trends. The cloud technology can be utilised to know the current trends of the
products available in the market which the customers are preferring (Azam et al., 2013).
Thus Webb’s Store can study the customers’ mentality about the products they are selling
and keep track of the products they are purchasing. Webb’s Store can stay connected with
the customers all the time with their customers because of the advent of cloud technology.
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1.b. Explain how Webb’s could use AWS to integrate their new regional group of stores
into their existing operations
Combining all the stores’ operations into one existing operation: Webb’s
Store with the help of Cloud Computing can install a new service named ‘checkout-free’ in
their premises utilising the Amazon AWS cloud platform (Shufeng & Xu, 2012). AWS cloud
platform will help them to keep track of all the food products at Victoria’s retails stores.
Also, Webb’s Store can recognise all their retail stores with the help of the technology.
Webb’s Store can even know the products which get misplaced by assigning unique code
label to the products.
Webb’s Store can gain more and more customers that will help them to grow
their business: Webb’s Store implementing the ‘check out-free’ service by using AWS cloud
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platform can provide a whole lot of benefits to the customers. The customers can pick up
the food products they want and they can simply check out of the store (Muthui & SISAT,
2013). The items they will pick, the code will be stored in the database, will be then
analysed and a purchase bill will be sent to the customers once they move out of the store.
Thus Webb’s Store can identify the customers’ shopping behaviour pattern.
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1.c. Explanation of the cloud architectures Webb’s Store can use to integrate the
operations and the reasons for use
Webb’s Store must choose the AWS cloud platform for the following reasons
Easy usage: AWS allows the users like ISVs and the application vendors to
deploy and execute the applications be it an existing application or SaaS-based application
efficiently.
Flexible: AWS allows the user to choose the operating system, the coding
language, database and the web framework of their choice, so AWS is definitely providing
flexible services (Varia & Mathew, 2014).
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Reliable: The user can access the AWS cloud architecture everywhere in the
world and this AWS cloud architecture is the strength of Amazon’s multi billion dollar online
enterprise activities. Hence, the users can rely on the brand.
Secure: AWS offers end-to-end access to secure their database and their cloud
framework. Thus the customers can get the secure cloud technology.
Profitable: AWS offers cost-effective advanced cloud platform to the
companies deploy and execute their applications (Varia & Mathew, 2014). The organisations
can get advanced benefits at a low cost compared to other cloud technology.
Future prospects: AWS has an engineering future plan for coming two to three
years.
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2.a. The advantages that Webb’s Store can achieve if they use this type of SaaS service
i. Saas provides the facility and they will not have to think about future updates and the
maintenance
ii. SaaS reduces the effort to use the costly servers which need security and daily
maintenance, SaaS offers the profitable services to the customers (Tsai, Bai & Huang, 2014)
iii. SaaS enhances the pace or the speed of execution of the cloud applications thus
providing the users with a deft and efficient application services to the customers.
iv. SaaS helps the users to utilise the Webb’s Store’s application services when they are
active in busy or when customers are on the way.
v. The cloud applications can be utilised everywhere every time.
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2.b. The disadvantages that Webb’s Store can achieve if they use this type of SaaS service
i. Since the Cloud Computing is in testing mode, that is why there are lots of security risks
involved in it, the intruders can find back doors to hack and track the users’ vital information.
ii. SaaS applications need the Internet connection, if it falters, Webb’s Store along with its
customers will have to face serious issues (Tsai, Bai & Huang, 2014)
iii. Depending on the servers SaaS applications may run slower on some instances on some
servers, in that case, it will affect the performance.
iv. Sometimes the users use outdated software or outdated operating system and that becomes
an issue for the users, the users can face integration problems.
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2.c. The SaaS service that I like to recommend-
i. The name of the service
The organisation must utilise salesforce.com, Inc. as it is the best known SaaS
service that runs or execute on the AWS platform
ii. How is it better than other similar services?
a. Salesforce has certain advantages and there are risks mitigation methods associated with
it, the application service is profitable as per the budget is concerned.
b. Salesforce combined with the AWS platform helps in computerising the sales records.
c. Salesforce does not need starting capital.
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d. Webb’s Store can embellish their product yield as well as the market share, so it is
beneficial for the customers.
Salesforce is comparatively better compared to other private cloud services
and the on-ground apps available in the market.
iii. What are its specific disadvantages?
a. The users are not used to cloud computing, so they can make a blunder, can uploads
unwanted files, personal files by mistake and can put themselves into trouble (Tsai, Bai &
Huang, 2014).
b. Though Salesforce is profitable in terms of budget it is really difficult to implement as
initial implement cost is huge.
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c. Like all other services Salesforce also requires daily maintenance and updates, so during
that time Webb’s Store along with their clients can face several problems.
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References
Azam, Abdollahzadehgan; Ab Razak Che Hussin; Gohary , Marjan Moshfegh Gohary &
Mahyar Amini (2013), The OrganizationalCritical Success Factors for Adopting
Cloud Computing in SMEs, Journal of Information Systems Research and
Innovation (JISRI), Volume 4, Issue 1, pp. 67-74.
Dillon, S., & Vossen, G. (2015). SaaS cloud computing in small and medium enterprises: A
comparison between Germany and New Zealand. International Journal of
Information Technology, Communications and Convergence, 3(2), 87-104.
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Dinh, H. T., Lee, C., Niyato, D., & Wang, P. (2013). A survey of mobile cloud computing:
architecture, applications, and approaches. Wireless communications and
mobile computing, 13(18), 1587-1611.
Muthui, M., & SISAT, C. (2013). Amazon Web Services.
Shufeng Gao & Xu, Ai, (2012) Boosting Electronic Business Applications by Digitally Enabling
SMBs with Cloud Computing Model, 11th International Symposium on
Distributed Computing and Applications to Business, Engineering & Science,
pp-214-218.
Tsai, W., Bai, X., & Huang, Y. (2014). Software-as-a-service (SaaS): perspectives and
challenges. Science China Information Sciences, 57(5), 1-15.
Varia, J., & Mathew, S. (2014). Overview of amazon web services. Amazon Web Services.
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3.i. An IaaS approach to migrating Webb’s database to the cloud
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
IaaS services include the software, cloud servers, cloud frameworks, hard disk,
and RAM where the customers execute the cloud apps supplied by Webb’s Store to get the
cloud service (Zhang & Ou, 2014). AWS cloud architecture provides the platform for Webb’s
Store to deploy the cloud apps so that the customers can get superior services and at the
same time Webb’s Store can enhance their business activities and can also ensure safety
and security of both database and the system.
3.ii. A PaaS approach to migrating Webb’s database to the cloud
Platform as a Service (PaaS)
PaaS generally hides the underlying infrastructure, the infrastructure that is
developed to execute on the cloud base. The business organisations who want fast and
effective working applications must go for PaaS (Gesvindr & Buhnova, 2016). Webb’s Store if
interested in fast and effective business should choose PaaS service.
3.iii. Create a table that shows the advantages and disadvantages of each approach
PaaS IaaS
Advantages  Profitable in terms of
budgets as one
generally pays for the
cloud apps and not
the hardware
 The retailers or same
kind of organisations
have the full control
over the cloud apps
and on the VM
provided by the cloud
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resource.
 The companies can
keep an eye on the
customers who are
using the cloud apps
and by utilising this
service the
companies can
handle their personal
information.
 No management or
administration is
required for the VM
(Gesvindr & Buhnova,
2016).
 Improved backup for
joining with other
cloud framework
design
vendors.
 The retailers have the
power to modify and
manage the cloud
apps or the VM and
to run anything inside
the VM (Zhang & Ou,
2014).
 The retailers actually
have the freedom to
use the cloud
architecture provided
by the vendor and
they will not have to
bear the burden of
heavy expenses.
 They will not have to
worry about the
security breaches as
the cloud vendor take
care of all the
security aspects
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Disadvantages  Cloud hosts look after
the VM so there is
always a risk of
important
information get
stolen.
 PaaS is expensive
compared to SaaS
 The retailers will have
little control over VM
unlike IaaS (Gesvindr
& Buhnova, 2016)
 Sometimes
expensive, the
retailers have to pay
rental charges to the
cloud vendors higher
than usual for the
software and
hardware (Zhang &
Ou, 2014)
 The retailers
subscribe a heavy
amount every month
or every year
3.iv. What is the approach that you would recommend and give your reasons for
recommending this approach?
According to me Webb’s Store must opt for the IaaS services as Webb’s Store
basically deals with the customers. Therefore, their security is a matter of concern, they
must ensure safety and security of the organisations as well as the customers’ information,
if their data get lost due to security breaches, Webb’s Store may get into trouble and will
definitely lose reputation. The intruders can hack the database and access the sensitive
unwanted information.
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Conclusion
It can be concluded from the above discourse that Webb’s Store can be embellished
largely by taking all the cloud computing approaches and in this report, it has been
discussed why Webb’s Store must take the IaaS services to ensure safety and security of
their company activities. It has been presented in the presentation that via SaaS services
Webb’s Store can embellish their email and computerised services. Webb’s Store can bloom
their retail industry via Salesforce and will definitely help to stay connected with the users
or consumers throughout day and night. They can also identify the customers’ buying
patterns and can manage their company’s food products via the installation of ‘checkout-
free’ system.
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References
Gesvindr, D., & Buhnova, B. (2016). Performance challenges, current bad practices, and
hints in paas cloud application design. ACM SIGMETRICS Performance
Evaluation Review, 43(4), 3-12.
Zhang, S., Zhang, X., & Ou, X. (2014, June). After we knew it: empirical study and modeling of
cost-effectiveness of exploiting prevalent known vulnerabilities across iaas
cloud. In Proceedings of the 9th ACM symposium on Information, computer
and communications security (pp. 317-328). ACM.
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