INTRODUCTION

Cloud Computing is a general term used to describe a new class of network based computing that takes place over the Internet. It is a collection of integrated and networked hardware, software and Internet infrastructure (called a platform).It uses the Internet for communication and transport. It provides hardware, software and networking services to clients. The cloud computing platforms hides the complexity and details of the underlying infrastructure from users and applications by providing very simple graphical interface or API (Applications Programming Interface).In addition, this platform provides on demand services, that are always on, anywhere, anytime and any place.The users pay for use and as needed, elastic (scale up and down in capacity and functionalities).The hardware and software services are available to the general public, enterprises, corporations and businesses markets. Cloud computing is an umbrella term used to refer to Internet based development and services.It basically refers to software services and platforms that are offered through the Internet. An easy-to-understand example is e-mail; some people access e-mail from a program on their computer while others use e-mail services online such as Gmail or Yahoo! mail. It can automatically direct more individual computers to work to serve pages for the site, and more money is paid for the extra usage. If it becomes unpopular, however, the amount of money due will be less. Cloud computing is popular for its pay-as-you-go pricing model.

CHARACTERSTICS

Remotely hosted: Services or data are hosted on remote infrastructure. Ubiquitous: Services or data are available from anywhere. Commodified: The result is a utility computing model similar to traditional that of traditional utilities, like gas and electricity - you pay for what you would want! Reduced Cost: Cloud technology is paid incrementally, saving organizations money.

IncreasedStorage: Organizations can store more data than on private computer systems. Highly Automated: No longer do IT personnel need to worry about keeping software up to date. Flexibility: Cloud computing offers much more flexibility than past computing methods. More Mobility: Employees can access information wherever they are, rather than having to remain at their desks. Allows IT to Shift Focus: No longer having to worry about constant server updates and other computing issues, government organizations will be free to concentrate on innovation.

TYPES OF CLOUD COMPUTING

An important decision for most CIOs who are evaluating the Cloud computing space is the choice between the Public Cloud shared by multiple organizations or a Private Cloud offerred and managed by select vendors to organizations. The distinction is primarily based on whether the IT resources are shared among many organizations (Public Cloud) or dedicated to a singleorganization (Private Cloud).The three types of cloud computing are: PUBLIC: Very simply, Public Cloud (or External Cloud) is where resources are shared over the Internet and used/provisioned as per need, dynamically. This typically comprises applications and services on the web, available on pay-per-use models. PRIVATE: Private Cloud (or Internal/ Corporate Cloud), on the other hand refers to offerings that attempt to emulate Cloud computing on dedicated networks. The idea is to harness

the benefits of Cloud computing with higher data security and reliability. In this model a vendor offers a proprietary computing network, which offers hosted services to a few organizations. HYBRID: A Hybrid Cloud may refer to a blend of the Public and Private Clouds (Combined Cloud), or the use of physical hardware and a virtualized Cloud server for a common service/application. It may further refer to a model of web hosting where both Cloud hosting and managed dedicated servers are leveraged. A hybrid storage Cloud typically uses a combination of Public and Private storage Clouds, fairly common for backup functions.

MERITS

Cloud computing is an efficient way to store and maintain databases, and is an especially helpful tool for businesses who do a lot of sales. Using a platform on the cloud for your business helps everyone who uses it by streamlining data and procedures into one central location. Its an easy way to organize information in different departments while still allowing for company-wide collaboration. Services offered by cloud computing are actually software, but the software is never installed on a computer; this is whats known as software-as-aservice, or SaaS. The software is accessed through the Internet, and provide storage, database creation, information management and many other businessrelated services. Cloud computing solutions are often less expensive than their software counterparts, another reason why they are a becoming a popular choice among businesses.

0 It also saves time and money when it comes time to upgrade; cloud services are updated by the provider, so everyone is always working on the latest platform.

With cloud computing, users have access to their information through the Web, so its accessible from anywhere they need it. Its also generally less expensive than other solutions; a simple return on investment (ROI) calculation can help determine just how cost-effective it can be for your company.

 A big benefit that is often touted by the companies who use cloud services is that the fear of losing data, or having unsecured data, is no longer a factor.

Cloud services also integrate with most commonly used software applications, and even other Web-based services and Social networking sites, to help connect your employees and customers in one location. It is cost-effective, makes managing how business gets done much easier, bringing peace-of-mind to everyone involved.

DEMERITS
Does not work well with low-speed connections: Similarly, a low-speed Internet connection, such as that found with dial-up services, makes cloud computing painful at best and often impossible. Web-based applications require a lot of bandwidth to download, as do large documents. If you are labouring with a low-speed dial-up connection, it might take seemingly forever just to change from page to page in a document, let alone to launch a feature-rich cloud service. In other words, cloud computing is not for the broadband-impaired.

Can be slow: Even with a fast connection, web-based applications can sometimes be slower than accessing a similar software program on your desktop PC. Everything about the program, from the interface to the current document, has to be

sent back and forth from your computer to the computers in the cloud. If the cloud servers happen to be backed up at that moment, or if the Internet is having a slow day, you would not get the instantaneous access you might expect from desktop applications. Features might be limited: This situation is bound to change, but today many web-based applications simply are not as full-featured as their desktop-based applications. For example, you can do a lot more with Microsoft PowerPoint than with Google Presentation's web-based offering. The basics are similar, but the cloud application lacks many of PowerPoint's advanced features. If you are a power user, you might not want to leap into cloud computing just yet.

CLOUD COMPUTING HAS BECOME MUCH MORE THAN A BUZZ WORD IN BUSINESS

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.

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. 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. 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. 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.

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. 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. 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.

IT staff cuts - When all the services you need are maintained by experts outside your business, there is not need to hire new ones.

PROMISING CLOUD COMPUTING COMPANY

As an FMCG major, Daburs Cloud computing story has been very interesting. The organization has been a strong user of IT systems for a long time and is a firm believer in IT being an important business enabler. The IT department at Dabur has been instrumental in facilitating the planning, testing, and deployment of new ideas for the business. Continuing this trend, Dabur has recently ventured into Cloud computing in a unique way. An introduction to Cloud computing threw up possibilities of leveraging the technology to meet this immediate need.

Customised for optimum leverage Daburs example is unique because the company has a customized design and approach to deploying Exchange on the Cloud. Dabur still retains its main Exchange server in its own Data Center. The international subsidiaries access an auxiliary mail server on the Cloud.This server synchronizes with Daburs main Exchange server at the Data Center. The advantages to us are clear no third-party providers, access through just an internet connection, and all locations have email IDs @Dabur.com and share the same address book. Garg adds further, With Microsoft Unified Communications, we also have audio and video conferencing all on a single network. Even the sever on the Cloud is managed by my Data Center administrator, all in one place. With 350 users on this network, Daburs IT has India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Dubai, Egypt,Nigeria, and soon-to-be-integrated Turkey and the US, on the Cloud. Although his adoption was totally derisked with no investments, Gargs different approach stemmed from his apprehensions about unchartered waters. Today however, he describes his Cloud stint as timely, exciting, and an experience and says its only a matter of time before the organizations realize the futility

of running Data Centers. He has plans to move Exchange completely to the Cloud, followed by intranet applications and other Microsoft technologies. The future belongs to the Cloud and hosted Data Centers. Ideally there will be a mix., he says.

The magic lies in the mindset

The biggest bottleneck to the adoption of the Cloud, he feels, is the existing CIO mindset, which has to be slowly chiseled away. People tend to feel that their might is in controlling the Data Center. Its as simple as the trends in personalcomputing. The PC is giving way to a tablet today, with storage on the Cloud. If you do this for yourself, taking it to the corporate level is easy. Gargs simple example elucidates the sea change in computing. Are organizations however, still apprehensive about taking their databases online? Culturally Dabur as an organization is open to change as long as there is a strong business case. It is a matter of proving the same. The time will come for others too.