Adoption of Cloud Computing by SMEs – A SWOT Analysis

Adoption of Cloud Computing by SMEs – A SWOT Analysis

Kamal Kulshreshtha

Associate Professor, Dept. of Computer Applications, Modi Institute of Management & Technology,

Kota (Raj.), India

Abstract: The phenomenal growth of internet user over the last decade has brought a major change in the functionalities and working of various organizations. The emergence of Cloud Computing has remarkably made advancement in the IT industry by putting forward an everything as a service idea. Cloud Computing is a fastest growing technology by giving so many benefits to businesses by its latest and advanced functions. Companies are paying their interest to adopt Cloud computing throughout the world. But due the many barriers associated in Cloud Computing adoption, should be removed properly. The aim of this paper is to explore the Cloud Computing and converse the drivers and inhibitors of its adoption. Moreover, an effort has been created to recognize the key stakeholders of Cloud Computing and draw the security threats. An analysis that consists of Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) has also conceded in which Cloud Computing adoption for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) is evaluated. This paper concludes with some other research areas in Cloud Computing.

Keywords- Cloud Computing, Service Level Agreements, Adoption, Stakeholders, SMEs, Cloud Security, SWOT, Analysis.

1. INTRODUCTION

   Over the last decade, technology has become a key differentiator and enabler for enterprises. All big and small enterprises have made a paradigm shift in the way they do business by employing new technologies and are able to tap into new markets of opportunity across industry verticals. The cloud computing is one among these technologies; it is an emerging new computing paradigm for delivering computing services [1]. Cloud computing is the combing together the Internet, virtualization and grid computing [1]. Like enterprises, cloud computing can prove commercially viable for many Small and Medium- sized Enterprises (SMEs) due to its flexibility and pay-as- you-go cost structure. This makes SMEs lively, quick and agile, and facilitates them to conduct business faster and better. Those who understand cloud computing do not deem it necessary to adopt the technology [1].

   In the shine of cloud technology, principally it would be a great prospect for SMEs; as they do not have a significant quantity of resources and technical capability to set up the suitable infrastructure to compete with their competitors. It appears that the most dramatic gain that Cloud Computing provides for SMEs, is to returns on investment which has never been possible earlier. The Cloud Computing aspires to decrease the amount of difficulty, complexity, reduce costs, and increase organizational liveliness [2]. Even though there is a huge potential for success, SMEs have to

   to attentive of the risks concerned. Outsourcing for other kinds, there is a strong requirement of accuracy and concern for enterprises to be informed of the inbuilt risks and have the ability of conquer them [4]. The Cloud Computing decrease the obstacles to conduct data method intensive activities; so, individuals don't got to maintain their own technology infrastructure as they transfer the load of system management and data protection to the cloud service provider [5,6]. Certainly, Cloud Computing provides visible chance for enterprises; however lot of time is required to be taken for its development within the IT Company and indeed Cloud Computing may be a recently introduced development. The salient feature in Cloud Computings adoption is the applicable value reduction structure that causes SMEs to be capable of launching and continued their IT trends with the less expenses [6].

2. DEFINITION OF CLOUD COMPUTING

   The Cloud computing is a completely unique model wherever it doesnt need users possession of necessary resources like hardware and software system, and instead the users will use them over the internet. A straightforward definition of Cloud Computing confirmed by several authors is: In Cloud Computing, the possession, management upgrade and maintenance of resources square measure duties of third parties and end users involvement isn't required. [7]. The technology of Clouds is hardware- based and hardware management is separated from the client. Cloud services deliver 3 sorts of capability together with computer, network and storage [8]. Vaquero in [9] reports that clouds are a large pool of readily, usable and available virtualized services. Such resources have the power to be dynamically reconfigured to regulate to a changeable load (scale), permitting more associate in tending optimized resource consumption. This pool of resources is typically extracted by a pay-per-use model in which guarantees are offered by the Infrastructure Provider through customized Service Level Agreements (SLA). Buyya in [10] expresses another definition as Cloud is a parallel and distributed computing system comprising a group of inter-connected and virtualized computers that are vigorously provisioned and conferred as one or more unified computing resources based upon SLA developed via negotiation between the service provider and client.

   According to National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) definition the Cloud Computing is a model for providing easy accessibility based on end users requirement via Internet to set of configurable cloud

   resources like networks, servers, application and storage capacities in such a how that the access may be provided efficiently while not intense want of resources management or direct involvement of service provider. NIST presents another scope of basic services that are provided by Cloud Computing, which involve software, platform, and infrastructure [11].

   1. Categories of Cloud Computing Models

      Cloud Computing is classically categorized on either its deployment or service models. Moreover, deployment models of clouds and cloud service models are listed:

      Deployment Models of Clouds are:

      • Public cloud: Its ownership is by a service provider and all the resources are accessible publicly. End users have the option of renting and adjusting resources based upon their requirement.

        Figure 1. Public Cloud

      • Private cloud: Is owned or rented by single organization for its private use only.

        Figure 2. Private Cloud

      • Community cloud: It is similar to Private cloud but here resources are shared between members of a closed group who have the same needs.

        Figure 3 Community Cloud

      • Hybrid cloud: Combing two or more cloud infrastructures (public , private or community ) provide extra resources in cases of high demand

        Figure 4 Hybrid Cloud

        Cloud Service Models are:

      • SaaS Software as a Service (SaaS)run on distant computers in the cloud that are owned and operated by others and that connect to users computers via the Internet and, usually, a web browser. Such as ERP, CRM, and HRM. [13][14]

        Figure 4 Software as a Service (SaaS)

      • PaaS:

        Platform as a service provides a cloud-based environment with everything required to support the complete life cycle of building and delivering web- based (cloud) applicationswithout the cost and complexity of buying and managing the underlying hardware, software, provisioning and hosting. Google Apps is an example of PaaS.

        Figure 5 Platforms as a Service (PaaS)

      • IaaS Infrastructure as a service (IaaS) Infrastructure as a service provides companie with computing resources including servers, networking, storage, and data centre space on a pay-per-use basis.

        Figure 6 Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

   2. Features of Cloud Computing

   The Cloud Computing proposes a convincing value scheme for organizations to outsource their Information and Communications Technology (ICT) infrastructures [15]. Miller[12], [16] recommends that Cloud Computing is user-centric and task-centric, and distributed computing can provide more helpfulness for sharing resources and associations in a group. The report of NIST further presents five necessary characteristics of Cloud Computing, which are available on demand. It is self-service, broad network access, resource pooling, rapid elasticity, and measured service.

   Other features of cloud computing are listed in Table 1.

   Table1. Features of Cloud Computing

   Parameters	Cloud Computing
   Access	Via web
   virtualization	Essential
   Switching cost	High ,due to Incompatibilities
   Ease of use	Easy
   Business model	Pricing (based on rent rate)
   Application development	In the cloud
   control	Centralized
   openness	Low
   Service level agreements	Essential

3. CLOUD COMPUTING: KEY STAKEHOLDERS

   In spite of the usual approach that just has two major groups of stakeholders encompassing service providers and consumers, Stakeholders are more detailed in Cloud Computing.

   • Providers: Vendors who Perform the maintenance and upgrade of the system and are responsible for protecting consumers data. Providers include well established companies such as Google, Microsoft, IBM, Oracle, Amazon, Sun, Salesforce.

   • Consumers: Subscribers who purchase and make use of system

   • Regulators: International entities that permeate across the other stakeholders

   • Enablers: Organizations which are responsible for selling services, facilitating the delivery, adoption and utilization of cloud computing [26].

     It also includes two other groups like regulators and enablers. The role of different traditional stakeholders can be altered in Cloud Computing. In the traditional computing, consumer is responsible for maintenance and upgrade processes while in Cloud Computing approach those processes are parts of providers duties [26].

4. KEY DRIVERS FOR ADOPTION OF CLOUD

   COMPUTING IN SMEs

   Making use of a cloud service can cause lower capital investments and needed prices, nevertheless services area unit provided in real-time; besides, as point out previous, vendors become accountable for all the upkeep tasks together with change and upgrading. As per Rayport and author [15], major drivers of cloud services area unit as below: anyplace / anytime accessibility to cloud primarily based software system, cloud enabled storage as a omnipresent service, specialization and customization applications, association among users and price benefit expected on cloud efficiencies, warehouse-size, energy potency, information centers and everything as a service.

   Moreover, other drivers of cloud services are detailed as follows:

   • Cost Reduction Structure: Cloud computing approach amazingly reduces the price of starting for SMEs that making an attempt to get benefit from compute-intensive business analytics which were hither to accessible only to the biggest of organizations.. As SMEs lacked the adequate needed resources and also cannot afford the more expenditure, Cloud Computing may offer varied occasions for SMEs. Furthermore, it can facilitate developing countries through a good cost reduction structure to fight more in business world and to recommend their new IT resolutions worldwide.

   • Quick Accessibility: Cloud Computing can present an almost urgent access to hardware resources that not only doesnt require much upfront capital investments for users, but also results in a faster time to market in many businesses. The users are thoroughly separated from each other.

   • Innovation Incentive Structure: Cloud Computing may play a significant position in encouraging innovation and declining hurdles associated to innovation in IT field through social networks.

   • On Demand Structure: Cloud computing creates it suitable for SMEs to balance their services as per the client requirement. When they report to require renting new resources, then required resources are send rapidly thru internet [18].

5. KEY INHIBITORS FOR ADOPTION OF CLOUD COMPUTING IN SMEs

   Although there are several benefits to adopting cloud computing, but there are also some considerable obstacles associated with its acceptance that would be addressed.

   Associated with its acceptance that may be self-addressed. Obviously, security is one among the leading crucial issues within the adoption of Cloud Computing in order that lack of enough security may result in impeding the adoption method for SMEs; but, there are some solutions giving by cloud suppliers which may maximize the safety level convincingly such asUser-centric IdM and united IdM solutions. once security, outage (temporary loss of service), ability (portability or ability to vary provider ), and also the dependability are the foremost important ones [19] , [20].

   The inhibitors of cloud computings adoption are detailed as follows:

   • Connectivity and open access: The full realization of Cloud Computing relies on the accessibility of high- speed access. In fact, open access to computing resources ought to be just like water and electricity power accessibility.

   • Reliability: Enterprise functions are at present so significant that they must be reliable and available to support all kinds of operations. In failure stituation, revival strategy ought to begin with least amount of interruption. Further costs may be pertaining to the necessary levels of reliability; nevertheless, the business can do simply so much to decrease risks and the failure cost. Developing a track record of reliability will be a necessity for the extensive adoption.

   • Interoperability: In this Cloud Computing adoption procedure by SMEs, it's critical to exist associate applicable level of capability between public and private clouds. Associate oversize styles of companies have created remarkably growth toward regulating their systems, processes and data by means of realization of ERPs. Standardization desires associate extensible infrastructure succeeding to a totally incorporated association among occurrences. Software as a Service (SaaS) applications delivered via the cloud acquire a low-capital, fast-deployment selection. Relying upon the applying, it is very important to integrate with existing applications which will be resident in an extremely separate cloud or on ancient technology. Customary is as associate enabler or associate obstacle for ability that every of them yield connect sincere maintenance of information and processs incorporation. [21], [22].

   • Security and Privacy: Cloud Computing approach is a kind of a novel delivering model of IT solutions, it appears that there's a comparatively high rate of insecurity related to its entrance towards the business world. Its noticeable that there's lack of enough certainty and security attended with the appearance of each new technology or innovation and it's inevitable. The aptitude of Cloud Computing to sufficiently address privacy laws has been referred to as into question. These days, organizations stumble upon to myriad totally different requisites creating effort to safeguard the privacy of individuals daa.

   • Political Issues Due to Global Boundaries: In the Cloud Computing, there is inconsistency in terms of where the physical data resides, where processing

     takes place, as well regulations may employ. Apparently, due to the inconsistent environment of rules, politics and direct involvement of government turn out to be more outstanding in the adoption of Cloud Computing. Cloud Computing to persistently evolve into a limitless and global tool, it necessitates to be separated from politics. Presently, this will have an inverse impact on development of the cloud solutions globally [20]. Suppliers be unable to assure the placement of a company's info on specific set of servers in an exceedingly specific location. Notwithstanding, cloud computing service suppliers square measure fleetly using measures to deal with this issue. Shortly toward politic problems, Cloud Computing is very smitten by international politics to survive. Providing open access property and enough information measure and additionally allocating enough capital for ICT field square measure all beneath the management of state and influenced by the politics.

   • Economic Value: It sounds spontaneous that by sharing resources to disembarrass peaks, paying exclusively for what's used, and cutting direct capital investment in using IT solutions, the quantity are there. Therell be a necessity to accurately balance all prices and advantages relevant to Cloud Computingin each the short and long runs. Hidden prices may cover support, disaster recovery, application modification, and knowledge loss insurance. Since usage expands and ability needs for the business method become additional taxing, a unique approach is needed.

6. SECURITY CHALLENGES OF

   COMPUTING CLOUD

   • Authentication of gained information: Once cloud user rents cloud software, the whole data are in the cloud providers servers below the management of him and user doesnt have any contact to it. Therefore, there is the likelihood of doing any modification in the users data without his consent. So, the authentication of the data in this case is extremely crucial, and so needs must be bonded to guaranteed [21].

   • Multi tenancy issue: The ability of using the similar software and interfaces to arrange resources and separate customer- explicit traffic data and information. It appears like a sensor which is responsive to any unauthorized or illegal access from other users that are running procedures on the same physical servers [26].

   • Resource location: End users utilize the services obtained from the cloud suppliers without by represents of being notified about the correct location of resources . This could cause a possible drawback that is typically over the control-domain of cloud suppliers [22].

     Cloud standards: Standards are important across completely different normal developing companies to achieve ability among clouds and to reinforce their solidity and safety [23].

   • System monitoring and logs : As a lot of business crucial applications area unit remodeled to the cloud setting, customers could imply a lot of observance and log knowledge from suppliers for his or her personnel.

7. SWOT ANALYSIS OF ADOPTING CLOUD

   COMPUTING IN SMES

   Analysis a proficient tool used to recognize environmental circumstances and intra organizational abilities involved in every project and have been used extensively in various decision making procedures. In this analysis, firstly the goal of project and secondly its internal and external determinant factors are identified. This method can make a contribution in investigating and evaluating issues from all main characteristics in which every issue is analyzed comprehensively supported the mentioned issues [15]. In order to assess the adoption of Cloud Computing for SMEs in a comprehensive mode, a SWOT analysis is conducted in Figure 1.

   Figure 1. SWOT Analysis for Cloud Computing services

8. CONCLUSION

   The practices of SMEs devoting in innovative technologies, such as Cloud Computing, ought to make available additional substantiation concerning patterns of adoption. In this we attempted to explore the key stakeholders of Cloud Computing and examine the various issues related with Cloud Computing as well as pros and cons of its adoption. To realize this, a SWOT analysis was accomplished in which S-strengths, W-weaknesses, O- opportunities as well as T-threats of cloud computing implementation was evaluated. It becomes obvious from the analysis that the emerging systems of Cloud Computing contain the potential to multiply the efficiency,

   profitability, and productivity of small scale enterprises (smes).

   The outcomes of this analysis point out that SMEs may formulate growth noticeably in the business drift all the way through cost decrease structure and faster software upgrade. Minor speculation on infrastructure and hardware, easier scale up of applications and additional well- organized use of computing capital are other benefits of cloud computing solutions for SMEs. A Monthly – based fees structure is a significant factor for SMEs to adopt cloud approach.

   Thus, deploying policies in the direction of as long as more security can directly power on raising the acceptance rate.

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