Cloud computing enables firms to access a vast array of computing resources without the need to invest heavily in expensive hardware, software and IT personnel thus lowering the costs. Since cloud resources have no limitations on platforms or operating systems, it becomes easier to share files across firms hence facilitating collaboration and decreasing the time needed to complete projects (Iosup, Yigitbasi, & Epema, 2011). However, acceptance of cloud computing may be barred by concerns regarding data security and the reliability of the same. Since it remains impossible to have a single Cloud, it becomes important for the consideration of different Vendors and Cloud solutions available for organizations. All vendors depict particular characteristics and strengths which implies that the choice of a provider remains dependent on the organization’s requirements for cloud based solutions.
Various vendors of cloud based solutions exist and offer various services. To begin with, vendors provide Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) which typically offers the organization access to computers either on dedicated or on virtual hardware, networking features, and space for data storage. IaaS offers organizations a maximum level of management, control, and flexibility over its information technology resources and depicts much similarity to current IT resources typically used by various IT developers and departments. A second service is Platform as a Service (PaaS) which eliminates the requirement for organizations to conduct management procedures on their fundamental infrastructure, especially operating systems and hardware. It also allows the organization to concentrate on the utilization and running of applications, hence enabling increased efficiency through eliminating the need for software maintenance, capacity planning, resource procurement, or other tasks engaged in the management of application. The third service is Software as a Service (SaaS) which provides firms with a comprehensive product under the operation and management of the vendor. More often than not, Software as a Service deals with end-user applications such as web-based email. Through SaaS, organizations focus on utilizing the software as the provider takes care of the maintenance of the IT infrastructure.
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One of the major vendors of cloud services is Amazon. This vendor provides various cloud-based solutions through its Amazon Web Services (AWS). Amazon also offers both Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS) through Amazon Web Services. It provides Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) through Elastic Cloud Computer while using simple storage service to provide data storage services. Amazon places priority on cloud security through a robust network architecture constructed to fulfill the needs of the most security-sensitive firms (Krutz & Vines, 2010). However, while in the cloud, the organization retains control of their security and freely choose different measures to secure their platform, content, systems, applications, and networks in a similar way to an on-site IT center.
The other major vendor of cloud services is Google and provides cloud based solutions such as Platform as a Service (PaaS) through Google App Engine, Software as a Service (SaaS) through Google Apps and data storage services through Google Cloud Storage. However, it does not provide Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). All the same, it offers top-notch security through Google Cloud Security Module that allows organizations to encrypt their data and a host of different security products at the organization’s disposal (Krutz & Vines, 2010). The third vendor of cloud services is Microsoft. It offers IaaS through Microsoft Private Cloud, provides PaaS through Windows Azure, while offering SaaS through MS Office 365 and data storage through Microsoft Private Cloud. Similar to Amazon, Microsoft works towards securing its cloud with ultramodern technology and processes while prioritizing encryption.
Based on the analysis of the cloud based services vendors, my recommendation for the organization is to opt for Google Cloud as I think it would work best for the organization. Being a software developing organization, Google Cloud provides the Google App Engine which hosts web applications as a runtime service centered in Python and other web applications (Shaikh & Haider, 2011). Additionally, it provides the organization with networking capabilities and data storage capacity while providing state-of-the-art security.
References
Iosup, A., Yigitbasi, N., & Epema, D. (2011). On the performance variability of production cloud services . In Cluster, Cloud and Grid Computing (CCGrid), 2011. IEEE.
Krutz, R. L., & Vines, R. D. (2010). Cloud security: A comprehensive guide to secure cloud computing . Wiley Publishing.
Shaikh, F. B., & Haider, S. (2011). Security threats in cloud computing . In Internet technology and secured transactions (ICITST), 2011. IEEE.
