Cloud computing and supply relationship management
First of all, it must be noted that the evolution of information technologies is strongly associated with cloud computing. The term cloud has a symbolical meaning; it is associated with IT-related capabilities a variety of companies use. The extremely high demands of consumers and enterprises require new powerful IT-resources to be used. Thus, cloud computing allows immediate reacting to customers’ and organisations’ requirements regardless of time and location. Cloud computing gives companies an opportunity to process information in a quick manner; therefore, the new technology seems to facilitate the process of cooperation between organisations and their suppliers. The dynamic nature of the cloud provides companies and their suppliers with an ability to concentrate on their core goals and save time. Many organisations use a new form in computation with their suppliers because of their greater flexibility, manageability and reusability.
The cloud and customer relationship management (CRM)
When discussing cloud computing in relation to customers, it is necessary to state that the technology is recognised to be rather beneficial within CRM. One of the most appropriate examples, which can be used to explain how the cloud works in CMR, is an American company Amazon. com. Thus, when analysing the benefits of the technology, one can probably notice that due to cloud computing capabilities, “every user’s interests are monitored and stored, and responsive sales and marketing efforts are conducted not in a way that irritates the user by being pushy and overaggressive, but by carefully responding to the consumer’s precise interests” (Cloud Computing and Consumerism 2012, para. 2). In other words, one can conclude that a new form of computation is widely used to satisfy the needs of an individual. As far as the cloud impacts on marketing efforts in a positive way, it becomes evident that it also affects consumers’ behaviours. The technology allows easy purchase options and therefore, stimulates people’s buying attitude or buying habits.
The benefits of cloud computing in relation to customers
Cloud computing is considered to be beneficial to customers due to a wide range of reasons, which most important involve cost-reduction, increased efficiency, flexibility, security gains, and reliability.
Challenges organisations and customers can face when using the cloud.
Challenges, which organisations can face when using the cloud are mostly associated with security and privacy issues. These include vendor security, data location, provider viability, compliance, reputation sharing, isolation and segregation, and management interface. To prevent risks, organisations are to take into consideration data classification, notification, backup, authentication, encryption, monitor, and vulnerability assessment (Monthly Security Tips 2011, para. 5).
Customers’ challenges can include multi-tenancy problems, service-oriented upsets and self-healing failures.
Conclusion
Although cloud computing is recognised to be one of the most convenient ways to process various information and allows fast reacting to customers’ and organisations’ requirements, there is a strong need to remember about a wide range of challenges organisations and customers can face.
It is extremely important to test cloud-based software in order to avoid a variety of problems. Security and measurement testing, integration testing, on-demand testing, and scalability and performance testing can prevent challenges appearance (Gao et al. 2011, p. 16).
References:
‘Cloud Computing and Consumerism’, 2012, Alaska.edu. Web.
Gao, J, Bai, X & Tsai, W 2011, ‘Cloud Testing – Issues, Challenges, Needs and Practice’, An International Journal (SEIJ), vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 9-23.
‘Monthly Security Tips’, 2011, The University of Arizona. Web.