Cloud Computing Characteristics

The salient characteristics of cloud computing based on the definitions provided by the National
Institute of Standards and Terminology (NIST) are outlined below:
On-demand self-service: A consumer can unilaterally provision computing capabilities,
such as server time and network storage, as needed automatically without requiring
human interaction with each services provider.
Broad network access: Capabilities are available over the network and accessed through
standard mechanisms that promote use by heterogeneous thin or thick client platforms
(e.g., mobile phones, laptops, and PDAs).
Resource pooling: The providers computing resources are pooled to serve multiple
consumers using a multi-tenant model, with different physical and virtual resources
dynamically assigned and reassigned according to consumer demand. There is a sense of
location-independence in that the customer generally has no control or knowledge over
the exact location of the provided resources but may be able to specify location at a
higher level of abstraction (e.g., country, state, or data centre). Examples of resources
include storage, processing, memory, network bandwidth, and virtual machines.
Rapid elasticity: Capabilities can be rapidly and elastically provisioned, in some cases
automatically, to quickly scale out and rapidly released to quickly scale in. To the
consumer, the capabilities available for provisioning often appear to be unlimited and can
be purchased in any quantity at any time.
Measured service: Cloud systems automatically control and optimize resource use by
leveraging a metering capability at some level of abstraction appropriate to the type of
service (e.g., storage, processing, bandwidth, and active user accounts). Resource usage
can be managed, controlled, and reported providing transparency for both the provider
and consumer of the utilized service.
CRM and ERP

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Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) are two
sides of the same profitability coin. ERP and CRM are similar in many ways, as they are both
used to increase the overall profitability of a business.CRM is a system for recording and
storing all information related to customer interactions. CRM systems like Sales force and
Microsoft Dynamics CRM provide a standardized method for collecting and sharing customer
data and cataloging customer interactions. Since all of the data is standardized, its easily
shared throughout the business. CRM can be used by executives to create sales projections,
by sales reps to maintain contact with clients, by shipping clerks to verify addresses, and by
the billing department to create invoices. The goal of CRM is to provide a comprehensive
store of customer data that can be used to increase sales, improve customer retention, and
make customer relations more efficient. Where CRM is focused on the customer, ERP
focuses on the business. ERP is a system for improving the efficiency of business processes.
Like CRM, ERP allows for the rapid sharing of standardized information throughout all
departments. Executives, managers, and employees all enter information into the ERP
system, creating a real-time, enterprise-wide snapshot. Problems in any area will
automatically create alerts in other affected areas. This allows departments to begin
planning for issues before they become a problem in that department. In short, by allowing
the business to focus on the data, instead of the operations, ERP provides a method for
streamlining business processes across the board. Popular ERP vendors like Epicor, SAP, and
Microsoft either also make CRM software, or their ERP solutions directly integrate with CRM
from other vendors.

ERP and CRM systems use different approaches to increase profits. ERP focuses on reducing
overhead and cutting costs. By making business processes more efficient, ERP reduces the
amount of capital spent on those processes. CRM works to increase profits by producing
greater sales volume. With a standardized repository of customer data, its easier for
everyone, from executives to sales reps, to improve customer relations. In turn, those
improved relations translate into increased brand loyalty and profits.
Types of Cloud and Deployment Model
The cloud isnt a technology. Its more of an approach to building IT services - an approach
that harnesses the power of servers, as well as virtualization technologies that combine
servers into large computing pools and divide single servers into multiple virtual machines.
And there are several different deployment models for implementing cloud technology.
The four primary types of cloud models are:
Public
Private
Hybrid
Community
Each has its advantages and disadvantages with significant implications for any organization
researching or actively considering a cloud deployment.
Public Cloud
A public cloud is a cloud computing model in which services, such as applications and
storage, are available for general use over the Internet. Public cloud services may be
offered on a pay-per-usage mode or other purchasing models. An example of a public cloud
is IBMs Blue Cloud.
Private Cloud
A private cloud is a virtualized data centre that operates within a firewall. Private clouds
are highly virtualized, joined together by mass quantities of IT infrastructure into resource
pools, and privately owned and managed.
Hybrid Cloud
A hybrid cloud is a mix of public and private clouds.
Community Cloud
A community cloud is an infrastructure shared by several organizations which supports a
specific community.