Business in the Cloud
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6.3
Basic Requirements for Cloud Services
Basic requirements for the usage of cloud services irrespective of any security
related issues are:
A PC running at least Microsoft Windows XP, Linux operating system,
Chrome operating system or Mac OS X
Connection to the Internet either via Wireless LAN or wired Ethernet access
Internet Browser, like Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, or Safari
While these requirements both apply to business and private entities, certain
services might require additional software or APIs (Application Programming
Interface) to enable an interaction between an integrated IT system and cloud
services (Sosinsky, 2010, p. 308). Furthermore Seher (2013) and Höllwarth (2013)
regard a certain degree of standardization of a company’s integrated system as a
key aspect to successfully implement cloud services into the business environment.
According to Statistik Austria (2013), 98% of all companies in Austria with at least
10
employees have access to the Internet (land line broadband or high-speed
mobile access). The general willingness to rely on the Internet as a strong
communication media is implied by the fact that 99% of all companies in Austria with
at least 250 employees have an Internet presence (Statistik Austria, 2013).
A recent study conducted by Accenture’s German division Avanade in 2009 pointed
out that 63% of SMEs in Germany, which are currently using cloud services, utilize
storage space and HR related services, as well as collaboration tools in the cloud.
The reason that cloud services are mainly used for storage means derives from the
fact of the growing amount of data each year (Chapter 5 – Big Data). The study
further showed that CRM (Customer Relationship Management) and e-mail services
are hardly outsourced into the cloud (Avanade, 2009).
The implication that the prerequisites are given, provide a great opportunity for the
application and employment of cloud related services. Nevertheless, most
