Cloud computing and ubiquitious computing systems

Cloud computing and ubiquitious computing systems

1. Cloud computing and storage

   • Cloud computing means using computer services on another organisations computers, which are known as hosts
   • The services are provided by organisations knows as hosting companies
   • Some well known companies for cloud computing include Amazon, Microsoft, Google and Rackspace
   • Cloud users can access software,data and storage on the host computers, which will be at a remote location.
   • Users do this through web browser or mobile app, without directly accessing the servers that the information is stored on
   • Cloud storage is related to cloud computing- it is where only storage, access and retrieval facilities are provided by the host provider, often via the internet
   • Benefits
     • Cost and convenience; You only pay for the storage that you have used, you dont have to provide and maintain the hardware locally
     • Availability; Data and files may be available anywhere in the world where there is an internet connection
   • Cons
     • Reliability of the network; You need to be able to get through to the host to access and process data
     • Software; The host might not be using the latest, fastest and most secure version
     • Potentially lower performance; The speed of retrieval of data may be slower than it would be on a local database held in-house
     • Security of data; As the files are being stored by the host, you have no control over them, you need to be aware of their security terms and policies

2. Ubiquitous computing systems

   • Ubiquitous means 'existing everywhere'
   • Processors can be embedded in any device, including clothing, appliances, vehicles, buildings and people, to connect them to the internet so that the data generated by the processors will be readily available

3. Radio frequency identification (RFID)

   • Currently, objects with a ubiquitous computing environment usually contain radio frequency identification(RFID) chips.
   • RFID is a technology that uses radio waves to transfer data to a tag on a person or object so that the person/object can be identified and tracked
   • These tags contain information that is stored electronically and which can be transmitted
   • It is similar to the bar code sytems used in supermarkets , but unlike a bar code, RFID does not need to be scanned
   • An example of a use of RFID is the cat flaps that only open for the animal that has the correct chip in its collar

4. Applications of ubiqiuitous computing

   • There are computing systems in place which monitor the shelf and warehouse stock. This techology is used by many industries (supermarkets, book and DVD suppliers, car part manufacturers.
   • Where the stock reaches a certain minimum level, an order is automatically placed with the appropriate supplier elecronically. Mainly this is done by a process where the till feeds product sales to a central computer, which then calculates the present stock
   • Currently manual checks still have to be made to allow for shrinkage (loss due to theft or damage)