Assignment: The Ups and Downs of Cloud Computing

In this assignment, you will examine the advantages and disadvantages of cloud computing as they pertain to the scenario described below. Before you begin, make sure that you fully understand how the business is currently running and how moving to cloud computing would impact the business.

Scenario:

You work for a small business that handles PC and network maintenance. Your sales department has recently acquired a large client that has the potential to move this "small" business to a "mid-sized" business. Presently, all the data (issues, warranties, network designs, troubleshooting steps, and knowledge base for technical) pertaining to your current clients resides on a small file server that cannot be accessed by the technical team remotely from the field. The maintenance of this file server is handled in-house by a technical team member. The business knows that this one file server will not handle the load of the new client.

Your manager has tasked you to provide a list of advantages and disadvantages of cloud-based storage. You need to provide the advantages and disadvantages of storing your company data in the cloud. This report will assist management in making its decision of moving to the cloud or upgrading the present infrastructure.

Tasks:

• List three advantages of cloud-based storage and explain your rationale for choosing each one.
• List three disadvantages of cloud-based storage and explain your rationale for choosing each one.
• Share your rationale if you want to use collaboration in the above scenario. Collaboration can be both an advantage and a disadvantage.

Note: Your response should rely upon at least two sources from professional literature-articles from peer-reviewed journals and relevant textbooks. Write in a clear, concise, and organized manner; demonstrate ethical scholarship in accurate representation and attribution of sources; and use accurate spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

Submission Details:

In a minimum of 300 words, post your response to the appropriate Discussion Area. Review and comment on at least two of your classmates' responses. Consider the following in your response:

• Provide a statement of clarification or a point of view with rationale.
• Challenge a point of discussion or draw a relationship between one or more points of the discussion.