Srinath Amruth - Temple University

Research: Cloud Based Data Analytics

Throughout the MIS 2502 class about Data Analytics, we have learnt the fundamentals, behind the scenes, and various processes & methods used to present, modify and make meaningful sense of business data. We also had experience with analytical applications such as R Studio and MySQL. However with the ever-changing scene of technology, I have seen the rise of a particular kind of computing: the Cloud. The Cloud is where essential data can be stored and processed online through Internet networks and servers (such as DropBox) instead of local servers or private computers. Knowing the potential of the Cloud, I would like to talk about Cloud Based Data Analytics and its advantages. I believe that this is an important topic to talk about now especially since that many firms and even individuals are moving to the Cloud to carry out various data storing and processing activities for corporate and personal needs.

R Studio and MySQL have been tremendously useful applications for corporations for several years, providing them with data storing and processing services. However, what we don’t notice much from the use in class is that these applications require IT support, security from data theft, the need for desktops/laptops and data updating/refreshing. With Cloud based Data Analytics, the company that’s providing the cloud based service (cloud vendors) will conduct the administrative services required for all the functions to work and will provide IT support for difficulties, thus reducing the workload, responsibility and even expenses for the firms using the cloud based service. To add on to this, getting cloud based services from another party means they would likely be liable for the security of your firm’s data and they wouldn’t want to disappoint big firms. Therefore they always make sure their security measures are in place and well enforced; an example would be doing round-the-clock monitoring and assessing threats regularly to make sure security is tight and strict.

On top of this, such essential information stored in the Cloud would also be accessible to individuals on the go on various platforms as these Cloud vendors would provide access to data anywhere, anytime since it is on the internet. And as far as the data is concerned, unlike applications like R Studio and MySQL where you have to run commands and execute functions to receive data, these cloud vendors provide firms with real-time information with just a click of a button (or a tap if it’s a smartphone). Firms that have used Cloud based Data Analytics are also known to show greater satisfaction with the analytical capabilities and data they have compared to firms without Cloud based software, as shown in appendix A (click on the image to enlarge) .

An example of such Cloud based analytic software would be SAP Cloud Analytics. They provide all users in a firm with access to a centralized Cloud based software accessible through multiple platforms and devices while providing processed and analytical information and capabilities. Oak Bank is an example of a firm known for using this type of software and it is known to have helped them with real-time data requirements and faster decision-making.

Appendix A

References

Bs Srinath Amruth

Research: Cloud Based Data Analytics