Introduction
2
requirements need to be met in order to have either a positive or negative impact
on the usage of cloud services. The author will also highlight potential risks and
pitfalls, such as security issues, encryption, and the availability of data and services.
Unaffiliated from available secondary data of companies’ current data storage
methods and models, an empirical study (based on data mining methods and
interviews) is conducted in order to discover the driving values of a company’s
decision for a cloud service solution, the possible barriers when deciding for an out-
sourced operated server, the motivation and task of change management within in
the company to ensure a productive working environment and other relevant
information to create a meaningful big picture.
The last objective is to formulate a suggestion whether to employ cloud services or
not and to make a recommendation by outlining the prospective development of
cloud services and span of application based on both secondary data and primary
data gained throughout the study.
Thus the following research questions should be answered through this paper:
Should companies use out-sourced data solutions for business
relevant processes and information?
How and when can companies benefit from the employment of cloud
services?
What are potential dangers and pitfalls when using cloud services in a
corporate environment?
1.3
Methodology
This academic work consists of both a theoretical and an empirical part. The
theoretical approach is based on a logical and deductive analysis, which means the
author assumes general principles to be valid for the purpose of the outlined
