This shows how cloud computing can change our business, and the balance of benefits and risks.

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/hinchcliffe/eight-ways-that-cloud-computing-will-change-business/488

I believe that may initially represent an increase in costs, but it must be diluted over time, when it will definitely help to further reduce the virtual distance between people in the world.

These are among the advantages. I have realized some of these benefits in my work. Brief answer :)

This shows how cloud computing can change our business, and the balance of benefits and risks.

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/hinchcliffe/eight-ways-that-cloud-computing-will-change-business/488

Cloud computing is probably the most cost efficient method to use, maintain and upgrade. Traditional desktop software costs companies a lot in terms of finance. Adding up the licensing fees for multiple users can prove to be very expensive for the establishment concerned. Storing information in the cloud gives you almost unlimited storage capacity. Since all your data is stored in the cloud, backing it up and restoring the same is relatively much easier than storing the same on a physical device. In the cloud, software integration is usually something that occurs automatically. Cloud computing gives you the advantage of quick deployment.

While the cloud benefits are numerous, this method of computation is not for all businesses. By using this technology you risk losing a level of control over your company. Many have been disappointed with cloud technology, because they find that once they have instituted a cloud system within their business, they run out of storage space. Cloud computing does pose the risk of increased security threats. The advantages and disadvantages to cloud computing will vary from business to business, so it will be important for any business to weigh these up when considering their move into cloud computing.

Dear Nageswara,

The advantages and disadvantages of using cloud computing are discussed in the following link:

http://www.cloudcomputinginsights.com/management/cloud-computing-advantages-and-disadvantages/?mode=featured

Security seems to be the main concern.

Dear Nageswar

Cloud computing has been adopted by more than 80% American companies, as has been found by McKenzie, the American consulting company . It is being used much less by individuals. It is extremely useful to businesses and individuals. Its uses are shown in the figure I am attaching. But I am not likely to use it in the near future; but eventually, for sure, i will need to make use of it.

Cloud computing will be cost efficient method to use and maintain. Cloud computing does pose the risk of security threats. The advantages and disadvantages to cloud computing will depend on the nature of business. It may be important for business to consider this carefully before implementing cloud computing.

In 2006 when I was in Uganda implementing Oracle e-Business suite we were contemplating to venture into cloud, which then was very naive...a reputable cloud provider, fully independent like a internet service provider or a telecom service provider is the order of tomorrow... people want to just use this a facility as a utility.... just Connect- Link- Log - Work - Logout from anywhere through an internet...This considerably reduces the infrastructure requirement at the user levels and provides a greater facilitation to access and logs 24/7 global.... This creates LEAN and effective management, supports efficient specialists ON-ROLLS, ......

opportunities for SAS, PAS, BAS the whole of IT management can easily become a nodal service provider....

In view of the PRISM/TEMPORA etc. activities users that process sensitive data will be more hesitant to use the cloud. This might not affect teaching too much but certainly some fields of research, e.g. in those projects that may lead to potential patent and copyright claims. The World Wide Web was established in Europe some 20 years ago but is now based in the USA, where most of the resources reside nowadays. Many peers uttered their concerns on this thread here on RG (https://www.researchgate.net/post/PRISM_TEMPORA-Any_consequences_for_your_research) relating being spied out.

The impact to teaching and research will be most significant in my belief for start-up companies and smaller universities and research institutes - the Cloud helps to level the playing field so that students for example not attending a major research university can still use a supercomputer for example. The pay as you go approach is perhaps more expensive in the long run, but removes a barrier to entry. My only concern is that the downside is reliance upon a few public cloud services, so I would encourage development of private clouds and collaborative non-profit clouds for research and education.

Dear @Naggeswara, I think cloud computing is a proper facility to store some published material and other related material. The idea of cloud computing is affected by the huge storage available in the PCs in the last few years. I am personally convinced that the idea of cloud computing does not have a future to expand.

In my opinion the cloud computing is one of emerging technology we have. As the question stated, it will have positive as well as negative impact on everyone who use it until they strengthen the security systems. I think the important and personal data's should keep away from it.

As lot more expert comments on the issues related to advantages and safeties on cloud computing have been posted in this thread, being a layman in this area probably I am not going to add any new information.

Everyday I use cloud computing for past 9 years and it actually makes the life easier for me. The main advantages I should mention are

1. Storage of data and secured information in a safe place where someone get secured access from anywhere.

2. This specifically works amazing when I travel to different countries without carrying files in a physical external hard drive. It is really a great advantage. Less prone to data loss, file corruption and accidental theft.

3. It helps me to stay connected with my colleagues and employer for performing everyday computing, writing manuscripts while staying physically away from each other.

I am not very much aware of the risks and threats associated with cloud computing but so far my experience is very positive.

"Effective use of cloud computing in educational institutions" is paper available for download, written by Tuncay Ercan.

1877-0428 © 2010 Published by Elsevier Ltd.doi:10.1016/j.sbspro.2010.03.130

Available online at www.sciencedirect.com

Very good responses were given on this thread so far!

http://www.academia.edu/4740591/877-0428_Effective_use_of_cloud_computing_in_educational_institutions

The role of cloud computing is huge in the area of distance learning, mobile learning...! Here is a paper about!

I would separate the topic in two: usage of cloud computing for education and usage of cloud computing for research.

For education, cloud computing is great, and it is the way forward.

For research, real research, i would stay away and keep computers in a different network outside internet. If the research is sensitive, has great value, i would keep-it as disconnected as possible for as long as possible. However, if research outcome is meant to be published, than you can use cloud computing, as research outcome will be available anyway to whoever wants-it. That means nobody will spend money and time to obtain something they get for free anyway.

@Bradut, here is a paper that treats cloud computing in research!

There are certain downsides of cloud

1. High Bandwidth depending upon the amount of data traffic involved.

2. If the software is in the cloud, App performance may suffer depending upon the bandwidth and amount of data

3. Data security is a big concern particularly considering vulnerability of internet

We all have been using the experience of cloud through Learning management system - LMS (Blackboard, webct or some other). As a result we were able to be in contact with our students from anywhere. It has served the purpose without much of a problem for teaching except for the bandwidth problems faced.

http://elearningindustry.com/8-top-benefits-of-using-a-cloud-based-lms

http://elearningindustry.com/the-ultimate-list-of-cloud-based-learning-management-systems

http://elearningindustry.com/top-learning-management-system-trends-for-2014

Dear Nageswara,

It seem that data security and bandwidth are the main concerns.

That is correct Dr Behrouz. However the way things are moving, it is possible that better solutions for these problems should be found sooner than later.

When it is research the problem is that there is considerable amount of confidentiality involved. This will be further complicated when product design or system design is involved. Industrial espionage is a serious problem. As a result the businesses would not like to have their sensitive information to lie in a third party cloud where it is likely to be hacked or pilfered. So they would prefer to have their own cloud with very strong encrypting methods.

So important concerns should be considered as privacy and security; and I do welcome cloud as to better facilitate teaching or research.

@Ljubomir Jacić , that paper is not about the use of cloud computing in research but the use in education. Waste of time. And i stop here with my comments on-it.

i think that the cloud computing might help us in a positive and in a negative way too. You are not sure of what might be the consequences of publishing your work on the internet , my be used for the benefit or to harm the public depending on the topic of your research.

Simple example i would quote is that, research works done by secret agencies around the world, their work might help the people of their own country but then this might lead to leak of info. and lead to destruction too. So privatizing your work really helps in some cases.

Now coming on to education, I would say yes it is a good way to communicate and transfer knowledge from one person to several others. because in education their is nothing like confidential or something like that, all the info. is meant to be distributed and cloud would work as a safer means to distribute it to several others.

Now coming to business part, it might help and it might not also.Rather than posting it on the internet within a log in id and password, the company could simply create its own network to save info so that the info doesn't leak to outer world unless it is highly secured.

If i m wrong somewhere please do correct me. Thank You

Arkash, I agree with your positive views on clouding in education and with your more reluctant approval of using it for business.

I'm more critical with your remarks stating 'research works done by secret agencies around the world, their work might help the people of their own country but then this might lead to leak of info. and lead to destruction too. So privatizing your work really helps in some cases. '

I don't see where these secret agencies (NSA, GCHQ, and other less prominent groups) really help their people apart from very rare disclosures of attack plans. With 'very rare' I mean the number of successful incidents uncovered compared to the plethora of data they've collected and sifted to find something useful.

I see them more and more not as a group to protect their people but as a group to support spying out and violating international and commercial law.

The main activities of universities - education, so it is important that cloud computing has promoted innovative teaching methods.

"The only rational way of educating is to be an example. If one can not help it, a warning example." -- Albert Einstein (http://www.einsteinalive.com/quotes/).

Educational community should be sturdy, strong and lead others. Mutual, the pursuit of high goals, search capabilities and attitude positive changes should be the main priorities for the new generation of students. Revolution associated with the use of cloud technology in teaching and research is at the crossroads of education and business.

I have made a mistake when I had attached a paper on cloud computing in research, but it was an educational example! Here is the right one from Research Gate that promotes application of cloud technology for cooperation among institutes.

Let us remember that many of use use Dropbox as cloud service for cooperation!

Conference Paper Cooperative cloud computing in research and academic environ...

Dear Ljubomir Jacić. This article is much more related to the topic, and it is a good one.

Still, i have huge concerns regarding data safety and vulnerability to information theft. Yet the model, if i understand-it well has a positive idea at it's core, it does not use a third party cloud.

As per CISCO the benefits of cloud computing in education are

1. Reshaping teaching by extending interactive multimedia learning environments to anyone, anywhere

2. Accelerating delivery of administrative services

3. Simplifying operations, saving time, and cutting cost

4. Reducing risk and strengthening security

http://www.cisco.com/web/strategy/education/cloud_computing.html

@Dear Bradut, the issues of data safety and vulnerability will remain! The proposed model is fine for me! Regards!