CLOUD COMPUTING :HP

What is cloud computing?

Cloud computing is a general term for anything that involves delivering hosted services over the Internet. These services are broadly divided into three categories: Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS), Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) and Software-as-aService (SaaS). The name cloud computing was inspired by the cloud symbol that's often used to represent the Internet in flowcharts and diagrams. A cloud service has three distinct characteristics that differentiate it from traditional hosting. It is sold on demand, typically by the minute or the hour; it is elastic -- a user can have as much or as little of a service as they want at any given time; and the service is fully managed by the provider (the consumer needs nothing but a personal computer and Internet access). Significant innovations in virtualization and distributed computing, as well as improved access to high-speed Internet and a weak economy, have accelerated interest in cloud computing. A cloud can be private or public. A public cloud sells services to anyone on the Internet. (Currently, Amazon Web Services is the largest public cloud provider.) A private cloud is a proprietary network or a data center that supplies hosted services to a limited number of people. When a service provider uses public cloud resources to create their private cloud, the result is called a virtual private cloud. Private or public, the goal of cloud computing is to provide easy, scalable access to computing resources and IT services. Infrastructure-as-a-Service like Amazon Web Services provides virtual server instanceAPI) to start, stop, access and configure their virtual servers and storage. In the enterprise, cloud computing allows a company to pay for only as much capacity as is needed, and bring more online as soon as required. Because this pay-for-what-you-use model resembles the way electricity, fuel and water are consumed, it's sometimes referred to as utility computing. Platform-as-a-service in the cloud is defined as a set of software and product development tools hosted on the provider's infrastructure. Developers create applications on the provider's platform over the Internet. PaaS providers may use APIs, website portals orgateway software installed on the customer's computer. Force.com, (an outgrowth of Salesforce.com) and GoogleApps are examples of PaaS. Developers need to know that currently, there are not standards for interoperability or data portability in the cloud. Some providers will not allow software created by their customers to be moved off the provider's platform.

In the software-as-a-service cloud model, the vendor supplies the hardware infrastructure, the software product and interacts with the user through a front-end portal. SaaS is a very broad market. Services can be anything from Web-based email to inventory control and database processing. Because the service provider hosts both the application and the data, the end user is free to use the service from anywhere.

H.P. Cloud Service

Within two months, Hewlett-Packard will offer a large and powerful cloud computing service similar to Amazon Web Services, but with more business-oriented features, according the head of the project. They have not just built a cloud for infrastructure, but they had to build a platform layer, with a lot of third-party services. Among the first software applications available as part of the Hewlett-Packard cloud, both structured and unstructured databases, and data analytics as a service. Amazon tends largely to have a self-service model, Hewlett-Packards cloud offers more personalized sales and service. H.P. also plans to offer a number of tools for developers to use popular online software languages, like Ruby, Java, and PHP, as well as ways for customers to provision and manage their workloads remotely. The service also include an online store where people can offer or rent software for use in the Hewlett-Packard public cloud. Precautions are taken ensure the quality and security of these software offerings from third parties by providing services like user authentication and billing. Though the data centers presently supporting H.P.s cloud are located only on the East and West Coasts of the United States, H.P. plans to scale the program by installing small data centers across the globe. This small and dispersed approach is a break from the goliath data centers run by cloud companies like Amazon and Google. The project will run almost entirely on Hewlett-Packard technology. H.P. has previously talked about offering these pattern-finding capabilities in its computer servers. In addition, it hopes to use the public cloud, which like other clouds will interoperate with the computing resources inside companies, as a way to showcase its latest servers, which outperformed cheaper commercial offerings in areas like power usage and computing capabilities when H.P. was designing the system.

Hewlett-Packard have announced a new master of science degree in Cloud Computing Research. Identified by the Government, Forfs and the IDA as one of the best potential high-value growth areas for Ireland, and a vehicle for future jobs, cloud computing is set to provide a new generation of infrastructure, services and solutions for businesses. Designed by the J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics at NUI Galway together with Hewlett-Packard Galways Cloud Services Innovation Centre, the new degree is the first of its kind in Ireland, in providing a programme of advanced research on highvalue, business-focused aspects of cloud computing and services. Cloud computing allows businesses and individuals to use software and access data and services on service providers remote computers, usually connecting over the internet, and typically using a web browser or mobile application.

Benefits of cloud computing

If you have ever used Gmail or Hotmail, you have experienced the wonders of cloud computing, although you probably were not aware of it. Cloud computing is, essentially the use of the Internet for the use of desired software as a service. By incorporating cloud computing services, companies have access to scalable and virtualized resources that are delivered in real-time. All upgrades, applications, and data is stored using alternate servers more equipped to handle them. Ten Reasons to Make the Switch to Cloud Computing 1. Saves time. Businesses that utilize software programs for their management needs are disadvantaged, because of the time needed to get new programs to operate at functional levels. By turning to cloud computing, you avoid these hassles. You simply need access to a computer with Internet to view the information you need. 2. Less glitches. Applications serviced through cloud computing require fewer versions. Upgrades are needed less frequently and are typically managed by data centers. Often, businesses experience problems with software because they are not designed to be used with similar applications. Departments cannot share data because they use different applications. Cloud computing enables users to integrate various types of applications including management systems, word processors, and e-mail. The fewer glitches, the more productivity expected from employees. 3. Going green. On average, individual personal computers are only used at approximately 10 to 20 percent of their capacity. Similarly, computers are left idle for hours at a times soaking up energy. Pooling resources into a cloud consolidates energy use. Essentially, you save on costs by paying for what you use and extending the life of your PC. 4. Fancy technology. Cloud computing offers customers more access to power. This power is not ordinarily accessible through a standard PC. Applications now use virtual power. Users can even build virtual assistants, which automate tasks such as ordering, managing dates, and offering reminders for upcoming meetings.

5. Mobilization. From just about anywhere in the world, services that you need are available. Sales are conducted over the phone and leads are tracked by using a cell phone. Cloud computing opens users up to a whole new world of wireless devices, all of which can be used to access any applications. Companies are taking sales productivity to a whole new level, while at the same time, providing their sales representatives with high quality, professional devices to motivate them to do their jobs well. 6. Consumer trends. Business practices that are most successful are the ones that reflect consumer trends. Currently, over 69 percent of Americans with internet access use a source of cloud computing. Whether it is Web e-mail, data storage, or software, this number continues to grow. Consumers are looking to conduct business with a modern approach. 7. Social media. Social networking is all the wave of the future among entrepreneurs. Companies are using social networking sites such as Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to heighten their productivity levels. Blogs are used to communicate with customers about improvements that need to be made within companies. LinkedIn is a popular website used by business professionals for collaboration purposes. Also, target groups are tracked more efficiently by tagging networks on Facebook. New advertising techniques are also being used on these sites, and businesses are seeing the advantages of assimilating to a more modern world. 8. Customize. All to often, companies purchase the latest software in hopes that it will improve their sales. Sometimes, programs do not quite meet the needs of a company. Some businesses require a personalized touch, that ordinary software cannot provide. Cloud computing gives the user the opportunity to build custom applications on a userfriendly interface. In a competitive world, your business needs to stand out from the rest. Customization is the solution for this problem. 9. No need for hardware hiccups. 10. IT staff cuts. When all the services you need are maintained by experts outside your business, there is not need to hire new ones.

Cloud Computing Applications for Forward Thinking Businesses

Cloud computing provides web-based services applications, networks, servers, and data storage that are fully managed by outside providers. Instead of purchasing different software programs for every conceivable computing function, and then installing them on numerous different machines, a company can simply opt to contract with a third-party vendor who provides a cloud-computing platform. These vendors are responsible for all hardware and software demands of the services. Applications run on outsourced servers that are more equipped to handle complex programs. Cloud computing enables users to make full use of all the applications which standard desktop computers can run, plus more. Virtual technologies provide access to applications that might not be supported by standard PCs. Many businesses use SaaS, or Software-as-a-Service, which links them to the latest CRM applications without the expense and complexity of traditional server-based software. Additionally, Web-based apps can eliminate the high costs traditionally associated with information technology professionals, who are often needed to install, configure, troubleshoot and perform upgrades on these software programs. These types of computing infrastructures are paid for on-demand from vendors, and are usually billed as either a utility service, much like electricity is billed to households, or as a subscription service which allows the user unlimited access over a period of time. Companies are using cloud computing capabilities to meet their CRM demands. Customer service software is available on the web, which includes call center tools, enabling agents to manage call traffic. Call center software on the web offers options such as predictive dialing, call routing, click-to-call, interactive voice repose, and virtualcall centers. Customers benefit from efficient service with agents qualified to serve them. Contact management software can radically change the way a sales representative does business, by streamlining all aspects of contact management organizing associates, tracking customers, contacting agencies, and remembering important events using calendar features. By making these often tedious administrative tasks

easier and faster, the rep is therefore freed up to make deeper connections with customers and close more deals. Companies are beginning to make use of sales lead management tools that are available via cloud computing. Sales lead management services automate everyday business tasks that would otherwise consume most of a sales representatives time. These tools organize data and generate reports, allowing businesses to track marketing demands. With this information, companies can predict future sales and identify current competitors on the market. Sales lead management services provide updated information on the needs of consumers. By avoid errors, adjusting for seasonal marketing differences and reducing manual labor, cloud computing services can make a demonstrable difference in meeting benchmarks, increasing revenue and decreasing costs. Sometimes, it can be difficult to oversee employees in large companies with multiple departments. All too often, businesses cannot keep up with the flow of information that enters the system because all departments use their own applications to satisfy different purposes. Cloud computing makes integrating applications simpler and easier. All activities are directed by, and stored on, the same data center. Upgrades are automatic, and all information is the most recent available. Sales representatives can communicate with clients; managers can communicate with reps; and everyone has the same reliable access to all aspects of the businesses with real-time data.