Case Study On Cloud Case

Cloud computing is a computer term referring to a system allowing the centralization of data storage and online access to computer services. Cloud consists of a variety of elements that include clients, data servers and distribution centres. It involves the use of virtualization where a physical computing device is separated into more than one virtual devices enhancing sharing and access to a variety of information. Distributors Inc. faces problems with its product development and distribution owing to its use of SaaS in those areas. SaaS is closely related to cloud computing but is prone to a lot of errors and is also costly. This paper tries to advance ways in which Distributors Inc. can use Cloud as a solution to combat these and other problems (Fernández-Cardeñosa, de la Torre-Díez, López-Coronado & Rodrigues, 2012). Cloud computing is applicable in activities relating to the distribution chain that will remain similar to the organisations and different customers implying that it will not need many changes. Efficient use of cloud computing would require dividing Distributor’s Inc. distribution and product development roles into smaller activities in the whole chain of distribution.
A bottoms-up approach entails first evaluating the technology domains of Distributor’s Inc. to determine the application of cloud to help improve performance (Infrastructure As A Service-IaaS). In this case, Distributors Inc. can derive a technology focused logistics management to curb the decrease in performance. Logistics management entails effective forward and reverses the flow of goods. Such include management of transportation, inventory, transport planning and the processing of orders. These are open source solutions that are compatible with cloud computing architecture (Fernández-Cardeñosa, de la Torre-Díez, López-Coronado & Rodrigues, 2012). Distributor’s Inc. first prioritizes the cloud candidates i.e. the clientele in the distributor’s chain with the most importance. The Distributor’s Inc. uses the cloud technology to get online orders from other companies that also use cloud as a platform for conducting their business. Alternatively, it can also purchase orders if it requires some services or goods for their business use. The cloud platform will enable the Distributors Inc. Company to organise the transport of the goods or services to its clientele provided that they are also using the cloud computing system. Such activities are possible as one can also access cloud computing services via the mobile phone. The transport planning and processing of orders can occur virtually with companies involved in transport that also use the cloud platform. Cloud system will ease logistics management and consequently achieve the organisations visions and strategies by various ways. It will facilitate on-demand self-service by customers, resource pooling and flexibility. The same goes parallel with the organisations core competencies of product development and distribution.
A Top-down approach would also go a long way in improving Distributor’s Inc. services to its clientele. This involves identifying the business vision and strategy, its competencies, decision parameters and prioritization (Business Process As a service-BPaaS). After identifying its competencies (production development and distribution), the organisation would have to make critical decisions. Decision parameters involve planning and forecasting as well as sourcing and procurement. Cloud computing would help Distributors Inc. by linking the distribution chains partners (the retailers, suppliers and the distributors).The technology collects data from the internet, and analyses it and consequently perform an accurate demand forecast for the participating partners in the chain. Thus, Distributor’s Inc. will be able to know any volatility in real demand and plan for it quickly. The clouding platform operates on a database that contains data from different suppliers that deal with Distributor’s Inc. The organisation will be able to prioritize and select the supplier that can provide appropriate material of its specification and on time. The tools of cloud computing will also enable the distributing company and clients to develop mutual contracts and promote management of the same.
Product development is another essential activity that cloud computing will address adequately. Cloud computing promotes collaborative design and product development (Fernández-Cardeñosa, de la Torre-Díez, López-Coronado & Rodrigues, 2012). Collaborative product development entails using product design and techniques across a variety of branches within the same organisation or between different organisations. Cloud computing would enable all development processes to be shared over a secure network among different departments of the organisation or different organisations. Such processes include specific details of the product, the marketing firm, test results and any changes in design that may arise during the whole process. It will also allow for access to customer feedback on the developed products. Cloud computing would be efficient for this due to its security, stability, compatibility and an increased range of applications.
Distributors Inc. can also use the bottoms-up approach to addressing the problem of handling information and feedback from its customers. Cloud-based platforms allow for the integration of information from all sources especially from the client. The BIM (Business Information Model) tool allows for the segregation of data from various sources and consequently how to handle the same. It will provide a conceptualized structure for organising information for easy identification and allocation, Cloud-computing ensures correct hierarchy of information ensuring only the right information gets to a particular individual. This means that emails will go to the right recipients, and customers will not therefore get error purchases as it occurred with the current system in Distributor’s Inc. Cloud computing requires that every user has a user ID and password. As a result, information passed between various parties is secure and private. The BIM tool allows for easy data retrace ability therefore guaranteeing that the organisation can detect any loophole or defect in the pathways of information can and deal with it. As a result, information management is efficient.

References

Fernández-Cardeñosa, G., de la Torre-Díez, I., López-Coronado, M., & Rodrigues, J. J. (2012). Analysis of cloud-based solutions on EHRs systems in different scenarios. Journal of medical systems, 36(6), 3777-3782.