White Paper

What Is
Cloud Computing?

Coresystems AG
www.coresystems.net
 White Paper: What Is Cloud Computing?

Content
Executive Summary 3

Introduction 4

Cloud Characteristics 5

Cloud Deployment Models 6

Models of Cloud Computing 7

Field Service and the Cloud 8

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 White Paper: What Is Cloud Computing?

What Is Cloud Computing?

Executive Summary
This paper is aimed at business and technology decision makers charged with the
complex task of determining if cloud computing is right for their field service busi-
ness.
In the business and tech media, cloud computing is a term that is used with increas-
ing frequency. Cloud computing is often hailed as a “disruptive” force and “the next
big thing,” with exuberant forecasts of spending and usage ticking ever upwards. The
benefits of using the cloud – collaboration, agility, scaling, and availability – can cer-
tainly help companies reduce their computing costs and increase their efficiency. But
articles can vary on their coverage and may not give the complete picture of what
cloud computing can accomplish. They may focus on a particular solution, omitting
other models or services, or how cloud computing as a field is evolving and develop-
ing.
This whitepaper will lay out a definition of cloud computing, outline the various types
of services that use the cloud, and will look at the benefits, challenges, and barriers of
cloud computing.

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 White Paper: What Is Cloud Computing?

Question:
Which of the following
best describes your orga-
nization’s current stance
on cloud deployments?
56%
are still identifying IT
operations that are
candidates for cloud
hosting.
38%
have identified all IT
operations they are
comfortable hosting in
the cloud.
Source: IDG Enterprise
Introduction
What is cloud computing? The US’s National Institute of Standards and Technology
defines it as a model for enabling ubiquitous, convenient, on-demand network access
to a shared pool of configurable computing resources (e.g., networks, servers, storage,
applications, and services) that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal
management effort or service provider interaction. In simpler terms, “cloud comput-
ing,” refers to the practice of storing and accessing data and programs over the Inter-
net instead of localized storage.
Market Context
Around the world, global incumbent technology players are investing heavily into
cloud technology and infrastructure. The likes of IBM, HP, Cisco, EMC and Microsoft
have made significant investments to ensure their competitiveness in cloud comput-
ing. In September 2014, Cisco announced a that it would be spending a further $1
billion in the next two years on cloud computing, closely following IBM’s revelation in
June 2014 that it would be investing $1.2 billion to expand its cloud services.
Among enterprises, cloud computing appears to have crossed the “tipping point”, that
is the use of the cloud in businesses is now a majority rather than minority practice. A
November 2014 IDG report revealed that the adoption of cloud computing has be-
come a “business staple,” with 69 percent of organizations surveyed reporting that
they had at least one application or a portion of their computing infrastructure in the
cloud. Another 18 percent said they had plans to use cloud-based applications or im-
plement cloud infrastructure within the next 12 months, while the remaining 13 per-
cent said they would be transitioning to the cloud within the next 1- 3 years.

%
70 69%
61% 2014 2013 2012
60 57%
50

40

24% 25%
30

18% 18%
13% 15%
20

10

0
Have at least one application Plan to use cloud-based Plan to use cloud-based
or a portion of our computing applications and/or applications and/or
infrastructure in the cloud computing infrastructure computing infrastructure
(for example, CRM, application via the cloud within via the cloud within
development and testing and the next 12 months 1 to 3 years
disaster recovery)
Source: IDG Enterprise

Industry Context
Field service is an industry that has always relied on speed and mobility. The intro-
duction of cloud-based field service applications available on mobile devices represent
a significant leap in increasing the efficiency and timeliness in the way field service is
delivered.

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 White Paper: What Is Cloud Computing?

Cloud Characteristics
The cloud has five main characteristics as defined by the NIST1:
1) On demand self-service: Users of cloud services can tap into computing capabili-
ties (services such as server time and network storage) and computer services (email,
applications) as and when they need it, without requiring human interaction with
each server provider. Companies delivering field service could for example, access
field service applications such as route planners and analytics through the cloud.
2) Broad network access: Capabilities are readily accessible over the network and
available across a variety of devices including desktop computers, laptops, mobile
devices including phones and tablets, and even on emerging wearables such as smart
glasses and smart watches.
3) Resource pooling: To take advantage of economies of scale, the provider pools
together their computing resources to serve multiple users, using a multi-tenant
model. Different physical and virtual resources – including storage, processing, mem-
ory, network bandwidth, virtual machines and email services – are dynamically as-
signed and reassigned according to user demand.
4) Rapid elasticity: Cloud services can be rapidly and elastically provisioned, in
some cases automatically, to quickly scale out and rapidly released to quickly scale in.
To the user, capabilities available for provisioning often appear to be unlimited and
can be purchased in any quantity at any time.
5) Measured service: Cloud computing resource usage can be measured, controlled,
and reported providing transparency for both the provider and user of the utilised
service.
There is a sixth characteristic, one that has been defined and advocated for by the
Cloud Security Alliance (CSA), an industry body of technology vendors, government
organizations and service providers.
6) Multi Tenancy: The CSA has put forward that there is a need for policy-driven
enforcement, segmentation, isolation, governance, service levels, and chargeback/
billing models for different types of users. Users might utilize a public cloud provid-
er’s service offerings or actually be from the same organization, such as different
business units rather than distinct organizational entities, but would still share infra-
structure.

1: http://csrc.nist.gov/publications/nistpubs/800-145/SP800-145.pdf

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 White Paper: What Is Cloud Computing?

Cloud Deployment Models

Public Cloud: A public cloud, as the name implies, is open to everyone. The cloud is
owned, operated, and managed by a company that allows users quick, affordable ac-
cess to computing resources. Users do not purchase hardware, software or supporting
infrastructure, which is owned and managed by the cloud provider.
Private Cloud: A private cloud is owned, managed and operated by a single company
for the private use of users. Private clouds have the same advantages as public clouds,
but are typically chosen by those who need the customization or integration only
available in a single-tenant environment, rather than a multi-tenant one.
Hybrid Cloud: A hybrid cloud refers to the practice of using a combination of a pri-
vate cloud and public cloud services. For example, a hybrid cloud might use a public
cloud provider such as Amazon Web Services with a private cloud platform. The pub-
lic and private cloud infrastructures operate separately from one another and com-
munications between them is through an encrypted connection.

Q: Approximately, what percent of your organization’s total IT

% environment (data, applications, infrastructure, etc.) presently resides
70 in each of the following, and will in 18 months?

60 61%
currently in 18 months
50 47%
40
30
25%
20 19% 21%
15%
10
5% 7%
0
Private Cloud Public Cloud Hybrid Cloud Non-Cloud

Source: IDG Enterprise

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 White Paper: What Is Cloud Computing?

Models of Cloud Computing

There are three main delivery models of cloud computing.
Infrastructure as a service (IaaS): IaaS allows companies to rent cloud infrastruc-
ture such as servers, networking, storage, and data centre space on demand on a pay-
per-use basis.
Platform as a service (PaaS): Companies are provided with a cloud-based environ-
ment under the PaaS model to build and deliver applications, whilst the provider
manages the underlying cloud infrastructure including the underlying hardware,
software, provisioning and hosting.
Software as a service (SaaS): SaaS refers to the model where companies can tap
into cloud-based applications, owned and operated by others and that connect to us-
ers’ computers and devices via the Internet and, usually, a web browser. Coresystems
is a SaaS provider of field service applications.

IaaS PaaS SaaS

Applications Applications Applications
You
manage
Data Data Data

Runtime Runtime Runtime

Managed
by vendor
Middleware Middleware Middleware

O/S O/S O/S

Virtualization Virtualization Virtualization

Servers Servers Servers

Storage Storage Storage

Networking Networking Networking

Field Service and the Cloud

With its focus on speed, mobility and teamwork, field service is an industry where
working in the cloud can be especially beneficial and efficient.
Ten Reasons to Move to the Cloud:
Reduce Costs
Reducing costs is usually one of the biggest motivations of companies seeking out
cloud-based solutions. The pay-as-you-go model of most SaaS providers, for example,
allows companies to pay only for what they use, and gives them the flexibility to add
more or less users depending on need.
Reduce Personnel Costs
Increase volume output or productivity with fewer people. Your cost per unit, project
or product plummets.
Improve flexibility. You can change direction without serious “people” or “financial”
issues at stake.
Reduce Capital Costs
Capital costs are reduced too, as the need to spend on equipment is eliminated.
There’s no need to spend big money on hardware, software or licensing fees.

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 White Paper: What Is Cloud Computing?

Creating an Agile Workforce

With intuitive and user-friendly interfaces, SaaS lowers the need to train personnel.
Moreover, it takes fewer people to do more work on a cloud, with a minimal learning
curve on hardware and software issues.
Globalize your workforce on the cheap
Grow your business and globalize your workforce. As long as your employees have an
Internet connection, they can access the tools they need.
Streamline processes
Get more work done in less time with less people.
Effectively Monitor Projects
With the ability to instantly see and share information, projects can be effectively
monitored by all involved staff.
Access at Any Time, All the Time, Anywhere
The cloud allows your team to stay connected and informed throughout the day wher-
ever they are. Field engineers can securely access information at any time on any de-
vice, anywhere. The information they collect can be analysed and used for further
improvements or efficiencies in the field service chain, customer service manage-
ment, or product support.
Statistics and Input Deployment in Weeks, Not Months; Quickly Adapt to New Innovations
from: With cloud-based apps, field service businesses can deploy in weeks rather than
months. As the field service SaaS market is especially competitive, businesses benefit
from constant ongoing developments by providers looking to deliver the best experi-
ence and incorporate the latest innovation in field service tech and practice.
Driving Real-Time Agility with Big Data
Field service engineers collect valuable data points on every job they complete. Cap-
turing this data is the first step in delivering quicker response times and driving for-
ward pro-active field service care.

About Coresystems
Coresystems is a leading provider of mobile and cloud-based field service and
workforce management software for mid-sized and large enterprises’ field service
organizations. Since Coresystems’ founding in 2006, more than 190,000 users
across the world have utilized Coresystems’ innovative, real-time field service
management software to improve their business and field service processes. Core-
Coresystems systems has also pioneered “crowd service” – which allows customers to leverage
CH: +41 56 500 22 44 an Uber-like platform to find available field service technicians in real-time. Core-
DE: +49 761 887 95 777 systems is headquartered in Switzerland with international offices in San Francis-
USA: +1 (415) 887-1944 co, Miami, Berlin, Freiburg, Shanghai, São Paulo and London.
www.coresystems.net

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