Author: Pranta Dutta

TO: Prof. Jason Ellis

FROM: Pranta Dutta

DATE: March 23, 2021

SUBJECT: Expanded Definition of Cloud Computing

Introduction

The purpose of this 750-1000 word expanded definition is to elaborate the definition of the term “cloud computing.” The evaluation technology, where an organization may not have to maintain a costly data center to run their day-to-day activities. They can utilize cloud computing to bring the cost down and use the right amount of resources they needed. In this document, I will discuss the definition of cloud computing and how it came to be known as cloud computing. Then I will discuss its context and the working definitions.

Definitions

The Oxford English Dictionary 1996’s definition defines cloud computing as “The use of networked facilities for the storage and processing of data rather than a user’s local computer, access to data or services typically being via the internet.” According to the Oxford English Dictionary 1996’s definition, cloud computing is something that can be used to access and process data via the internet. Usually, people or any organization save and store their personal or company data in their network facilities. To obtain data from that facilities, users require permissions & they must be under the same network, which can be very costly and time-consuming. In this case, cloud computing can be beneficial. An organization or person does not need to build a data center to store all their data. They can utilize cloud storage, where they can buy as much as spaces they need, & all the data can be accessed via the internet.           

Another definition of cloud computing from Oxford’s 2001 English Dictionary defines cloud computing as “attributive, with the sense ‘relating to or involving cloud computing,’ as cloud provider, cloud service, cloud storage, etc. Cloud computing has many attributes, such as cloud service provider, cloud storage, etc. There are many companies; like Microsoft Azure, Amazon AWS that occupy large datacenter in numerous places & other people and organizations can utilize those datacenters with a fee. They do not have to think about maintaining it. On the other hand, providers like Amazon, Microsoft, Google generating money by renting their cloud space to others.

Context

“The appeal of cloud computing to a variety of buyers contributes to strong growth. The services provided are flexible and can be tailored to suit start-ups, small to medium-sized businesses, and huge enterprises, meaning that cloud computing has a wide appeal.” (Market Line Industry, 2019). In this context, cloud computing has been used as an opportunity. Buyers of the cloud space contribute to the growth also; they can cut their costs while having access to flexible cloud space. They can increase and reduce the amount of space they need. Many start-ups do not have access to a large amount of capital, to begin with. In that case, they can use cloud computing to operate their day-to-day business.

“A single cloud computing data center includes a data center building, power supply, and cooling as supporting equipment, as well as servers and networking ICT equipment.” (MASTELIC & et al. 47(2)). According to the article Cloud Computing: Survey on Energy Efficiency, to build a data center, the organization needs data center building, power supply, cooling equipment, and servers. If every organization tries to implement one for themselves, then, it would be very inefficient when it comes to energy. As previously mentioned, a datacenter provides a lot more than what an organization requires. Their share in power consumption generates between 1.1% and 1.5% of the total electricity use worldwide and is projected to rise even more. Such alarming numbers demand rethinking the energy efficiency of such infrastructures. Therefore, sharing cloud space is a way to go in terms of affordability and efficiency.

Moving to cloud computing helped three mutual funds beat the S&P 500 in the second quarter. Mutual funds invest in many different companies. DocuSign is one of them. “DocuSign benefited from the migration to cloud-based computing before the coronavirus arrived, Mr. Kass said. Then it enjoyed a boost in the first quarter as many people were forced to work from home.” (Tim, 2020). DocuSign is a cloud-based company that specializes in electronic signatures. Their business took off due to pandemics since many people started working from home. Also, they migrated to cloud-based computing before the pandemic, which gives them another boost in profitably. Most of their employees are working from home, which reduces the cost of office space, electricity, and many more. This shows the effectiveness of cloud computing. It not only helps you save money also increases profitability.

Working Definition

Based on my research, I would define cloud computing as storing and accessing data and programs over the internet instead of your computer’s hard drive. As we move forward, cloud computing will become more and more popular as it promotes minimalism. For example, you might have Microsoft office, excel, notes, etc. installed on your computer. But if you use cloud computing, then you can simply log in to one drive & use all these services without installing them on your computer.

Reference

Cloud computing. (1996). In Oxford English Dictionary. https://www-oed-com.citytech.ezproxy.cuny.edu/view/Entry/34689?redirectedFrom=cloud+computing+#eid189443962

Cloud Computing. (2001). In Oxford English Dictionary. https://www-oed-com.citytech.ezproxy.cuny.edu/view/Entry/34689?redirectedFrom=cloud+computing+#eid189443962

MarketLine Industry Profile: Cloud Computing in Global. (2019). Cloud Computing Industry Profile: Global, N.PAG. http://web.b.ebscohost.com.citytech.ezproxy.cuny.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=5&sid=7d308bce-b05b-4ea1-9533-ac816c00dd4e%40pdc-v-sessmgr04

MASTELIC, T., OLEKSIAK, A., CLAUSSEN, H., BRANDIC, I., PIERSON, J.-M., & VASILAKOS, A. V. (2015). Cloud Computing: Survey on Energy Efficiency. ACM Computing Surveys, 47(2), 33:1-33:36. https://doi.org/10.1145/2656204

Gray, Tim. “Investors Posted Returns So Great They Seemed Wrong.” New York Times, 10 July 2020, www.nytimes.com/2020/07/10/business/investors-returns-great-funds.html?searchResultPosition=4.