Benedikt Martens

Decision-making in cloud computing environments: A cost and risk based approach

In this article a sophisticated formal mathematical decision model is developed that supports the selection of Cloud Computing services in a multisourcing scenario. The objective is to determine the selection of appropriate Cloud Computing services offered by different providers. In order to do so, we consider cost as well as risk factors which are relevant to the decision scope. For example, coordination costs, IT service costs, maintenance costs and the costs of taken risks were compared. Risks are modeled by means of the three common security objectives integrity, confidentiality and availability. The managerial implications of the model lie in the sustainable decision support and the comprehensive decision approach. The formal model is prototypically implemented using a software tool and examined with the help of a simulation study in three realistic scenarios and a sensitivity analysis.

Costing of Cloud Computing Services: A Total Cost of Ownership Approach

The use of Cloud Computing Services appears to offer significant cost advantages. Particularly start-up companies benefit from these advantages, since frequently they do not operate an internal IT infrastructure. But are costs associated with Cloud Computing Services really that low? We found that particular cost types and factors are frequently underestimated by practitioners. In this paper we present a Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) approach for Cloud Computing Services. We applied a multi-method approach (systematic literature review, analysis of real Cloud Computing Services, expert interview, case study) for the development and evaluation of the formal mathematical model. We found that our model fits the practical requirements and supports decision-making in Cloud Computing.

Evaluating cloud computing services from a total cost of ownership perspective

Purpose - Start-up companies in particular can benefit from cloud computing services, since frequently they do not operate an internal IT infrastructure. The purpose of this paper is to present a total cost of ownership (TCO) approach for cloud computing services. Design/methodology/approach - The authors applied a multi-method approach (systematic literature review, analysis of real cloud computing services, expert interviews, case study) for the development and evaluation of a formal mathematical TCO model. Findings - It was found that decision processes in cloud computing are conducted Research limitations/implications - Some restrictive assumptions were made. For instance, cost types that focus on an existing internal IT infrastructure were hidden. Future research can combine risk and security aspects by means of a TCO approach. Additionally, benefits management in cloud computing is another new research field that can, for instance, be explored by means of cost-benefit analyses. Practical implications - The analysis of relevant cost types and factors of cloud computing services is an important pillar of decision making in cloud computing. The software tool allows for an easy application of the TCO model with reasonable effort. Originality/value - The paper provides an evaluated mathematical model for the calculation of the TCO of cloud computing services. With this tool, decision makers are able to decide whether outsourcing into the cloud is monetarily attractive; to be more specific, whether the costs associated with cloud computing services are lower than with a pre-existing infrastructure.

Datenbank und Reifegradmodell für die Auswahl und Bewertung von Cloud-Computing-Services

ZusammenfassungAufgrund der hohen Anzahl an verfügbaren Cloud-Computing-Service-Angeboten ist es für Unternehmen sehr zeitaufwendig und kostenintensiv, sich einen vollständigen Überblick über den derzeitigen Cloud-Computing-Markt zu verschaffen und damit Cloud-Computing-Services zu identifizieren, die den jeweiligen Unternehmensanforderungen genügen. Die in diesem Beitrag vorgestellte Datenbank soll Abhilfe schaffen und es Unternehmen ermöglichen, relevante Cloud-Computing-Services zu identifizieren, Bewertungen abzugeben und Bewertungen von anderen Anwendern zu den jeweils in der Daten-bank erfassten Services einzusehen. In diesem Beitrag werden das Design und die prototypische Implementierung der Datenbank, ein Reifegradmodell zur Qualitätsbeurteilung von Cloud-Computing-Services sowie erste Auswertungen der Marktsituation und daraus abgeleitete Handlungsempfehlungen für Unternehmen vorgestellt.

Supporting entrepreneurial venturing of SMEs in collaborative cloud computing environments: a dependency-driven construction of scenario maps

Cloud computing is a relatively new computing paradigm and opens up possibilities to build new inter-organisational business configurations. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are often neglecting the opportunities and potentials that inter-organisational collaboration in the context of cloud computing can offer them. SMEs are prevalently unaware of all possible business collaboration scenarios that can emerge in such environments. In this paper we follow a construction-oriented research approach and design scenario maps. These scenario maps are conceptual models that serve as a reference catalogue of all conceivable collaboration scenarios and participating actors in cloud computing environments and are representing extensions of works from literature. The design science research artefacts presented in this paper are useful for decision makers and allow SMEs and start-ups to extract and analyse alternative inter-organisational collaboration scenarios.

Towards a Reference Model for Risk and Compliance Management of IT Services in a Cloud Computing Environment

Industry analysts have made several enthusiastic projections on how cloud computing will transform the entire computing industry. According to recent research studies it is on the verge of becoming an extremely lucrative business: the financial profit to be drawn from business and productivity applications as well as related online advertising is expected to amount to billions of Dollars. However, the question arises whether there are any obstacles on the way to mature cloud computing environments. If one looks at IT outsourcing and the emerging field of cloud computing from an economic perspective, some obvious similarities between the two concepts strike the eye. In other words, already existing knowledge about the outsourcing of IT Services should be aligned with new arising obstacles and challenges created by the cloud. The objective of our paper is to support the improvement of decisionmaking processes by contributing to a better understanding of risk and compliance issues in the field of cloud computing and of their likely impacts. This can only be achieved by identifying the main risks and the necessary safeguards required. The reference model presented in this article could help to accomplish this goal.

Performance Management der IT-Governance bei der Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

ZusammenfassungenDer steigende Druck auf Unternehmen, ihre IT effizient und effektiv einzusetzen, erfordert entsprechende Methoden und Konzepte einer wertorientierten IT-Steuerung. Weltweit erhoffen sich CIOs Methodenunterstützung durch die Etablierung einer IT-Governance. Besonders schwierig gestaltet sich die Etablierung einer Performance-Messung für die IT-Governance. In diesem Beitrag wird hierfür ein Ansatz vorgestellt, der insbesondere für Organisationen geeignet ist, deren IT-Governance sich noch im Aufbau befindet oder restrukturiert werden soll. Der Ansatz, bestehend aus einem Vorgehensmodell zum Performance Management der IT-Governance-Prozesse und einem Kennzahlensystem, wurde bereits innerhalb eines Pilotprojekts bei der Henkel AG & Co. KGaA erfolgreich angewendet. Die Erfahrungen aus dem Pilotprojekt haben gezeigt, dass sich die beteiligten Mitarbeiter für die Etablierung effizienter und effektiver IT-Governance-Prozesse mit den Projektzielen und Kennzahlen identifizieren sollten. Die Erstellung von Richtlinien und Kontrollinstanzen zur Einführung und Überwachung der eingeführten Kennzahlen sind hierbei von besonderer Bedeutung.