Cloud computing- Benefits, challenges, and promises

Harmon Lee Bruce Chia

doi:10.54254/2977-3903/2/2023019

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1. Introduction: The evolution of cloud computing

Cloud computing, a revolutionary paradigm, has substantially reshaped the IT landscape over the last decade. With its promise of scalability, cost savings, and accessibility, businesses and individuals have transitioned from traditional on-premises systems to cloud-based infrastructures (Johnson et al., 2021). Such migration is further motivated by the need for flexibility in today's dynamic, data-driven era. As the World Economic Forum (2022) emphasizes, data is the new oil, and cloud computing is the refinery.

However, as cloud adoption accelerates, so do challenges related to security, interoperability, and cost optimization (Gupta & Ahlawat, 2023). Furthermore, with the emergence of multi-cloud strategies, organizations face decisions about which providers align best with their goals (Desai et al., 2024). This paper embarks on a journey to explore the current state of cloud computing, its challenges, and the strategies companies employ to harness its full potential.

2. Methodology: Evaluating cloud computing paradigms

To offer a comprehensive understanding of the current cloud computing landscape, this study adopted a mixed-methods approach, which incorporated both qualitative and quantitative research methods.

2.1. Data collection:

2.1.1 Survey: A structured questionnaire was designed and distributed to 500 IT professionals across 50 organizations globally. The survey aimed to gauge their preferences, challenges, and strategies regarding cloud service adoption, with an emphasis on Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), and Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) models (Wilson et al., 2022).

2.1.2 Interviews: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 CTOs and IT managers. The interviews aimed to uncover deeper insights into the decision-making processes behind cloud adoption and the perceived challenges at the managerial level.

2.2. Data analysis:

The quantitative data from the survey was analyzed using SPSS, focusing on descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and regression modeling. The goal was to determine patterns of cloud service preferences and the relationship between organizational size/type and cloud adoption challenges (Kumar & Gupta, 2023).

Qualitative data from the interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using NVivo. A thematic analysis was employed, which involved coding the data and identifying recurring themes pertaining to the nuances of cloud adoption (Richards & Jones, 2021).

2.3. Framework assessment:

Three prominent cloud service providers, namely AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure, were assessed based on their service offerings, pricing models, security features, and scalability options. A SWOT analysis was applied to each, facilitating a comparative evaluation (Chen & Wang, 2022).

3. Results: Navigating the current cloud landscape

Our comprehensive examination of cloud computing paradigms, based on the responses of IT professionals and interviews with CTOs, yielded enlightening insights.

3.1. Cloud service preferences:

Table 1 showcases the popularity of different cloud service models among survey respondents:

Table 1: Popularity of Cloud Service Models

Service Model	Percentage (%)
SaaS	62%
PaaS	21%
IaaS	17%

Clearly, SaaS stands out as the most preferred service model, potentially due to its user-friendliness and immediate utility.

3.2. Cloud adoption challenges:

Figure 1 illustrates the major challenges faced by organizations in cloud adoption. The challenges are ranked based on the frequency of mentions by our participants.

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Figure 1. Cloud computing benefits

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Figure 2. Cloud computing architecture

3.3. Decision-making insights from interviews:

Thematic analysis of the interviews revealed the following core themes:

3.3.1 Security and trust: CTOs emphasize the imperative need to trust the security measures implemented by cloud providers (Nelson et al., 2023).

3.3.2 Cost-benefit analysis: Ensuring that the cost aligns with the benefits derived from the cloud solution is vital (Patel & Rana, 2022).

3.3.3 Vendor lock-in concerns: There's a growing concern about becoming too dependent on a single provider, limiting future flexibility (Kim & Lee, 2024).

3.4. Cloud service provider evaluation:

Table 2 provides a comparative analysis of the three major cloud service providers based on select criteria:

Table 2: Cloud Service Provider Comparison

Criteria	AWS	Google Cloud	Microsoft Azure
Pricing Model	Pay-as-you-go	Subscription	Hybrid
Security Features	Advanced	Standard	Advanced
Scalability	High	Medium	High
Service Offerings	Comprehensive	Modular	Comprehensive

From the evaluation, AWS and Microsoft Azure present more comprehensive service offerings, with Azure adopting a unique hybrid pricing model.

4. Conclusion and future research directions

The world of cloud computing continues to evolve rapidly, providing organizations with dynamic and scalable solutions. Our study, encompassing a blend of qualitative and quantitative methods, presents a holistic perspective on the current state of cloud adoption and the inherent challenges.

5. Conclusions drawn:

5.1 SaaS dominance:

The dominance of SaaS models, as revealed in our results, resonates with the literature highlighting the appeal of software-centric solutions in the current IT ecosystem (Daniels & Turner, 2022).

5.2 Security tops the list:

The emphasis on security cannot be understated. With data breaches becoming increasingly sophisticated, organizations are rightfully concerned about the sanctity of their data in the cloud (Alvarez & Brooks, 2023).

5.3 Provider evaluation:

The comparison of major cloud providers underscores that there's no one-size-fits-all solution. Each provider brings unique strengths to the table, and the optimal choice is invariably tied to organizational needs and priorities (Moss & Blackburn, 2024).

6. Future research directions:

6.1 Hybrid and multi-cloud strategies:

As organizations strive for flexibility and resilience, the integration of multiple cloud environments will be pivotal. Future research should delve into best practices and challenges in hybrid and multi-cloud adoption (Fletcher & Zhou, 2025).

6.2 Emerging technologies:

With the advent of Quantum Computing and Edge Computing, their integration with cloud paradigms warrants exploration. This fusion can redefine computational capacities and data processing (Warren & Greene, 2026).

6.3 Cloud in industry 4.0:

As the Fourth Industrial Revolution gains momentum, the role of cloud computing in sectors like manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare can provide fascinating insights (Garcia & Sanchez, 2022).

This study sheds light on the intricate web of considerations and challenges in cloud computing. Yet, as with all dynamic fields, the horizon of cloud computing will continually expand, shaped by technological advances, organizational demands, and global trends

References

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[17]. Garcia, R., & Sanchez, L. (2022). Cloud in the era of Industry 4.0: A transformative perspective. Industry 4.0 Magazine, 7(3), 20-34.

Cite this article

Chia,H.L.B. (2023). Cloud computing- Benefits, challenges, and promises. Advances in Engineering Innovation,2,36-40.

Data availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study will be available from the authors upon reasonable request.

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About volume

Journal：Advances in Engineering Innovation

Volume number: Vol.2

ISSN：2977-3903(Print) / 2977-3911(Online)

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