ACADEMIC LIBRARIES AND

CLOUD COMPUTING

Namrata Joshi and Saurabh Prajapati

--- March, 2013

Outline of the Presentation

• What is Cloud Computing

• Concept of Cloud Computing

• Use of Cloud Computing in Library

• Cloud Computing and Library Services

• Advantages of Cloud Computing

• Limitation of Cloud Computing

• Conclusion

Are We Using Cloud Computing in Library?

“YES”

Definition of Cloud Computing

VMware, the global leader invirtualization and cloud infrastructuredefinition" "Cloud computing is a newapproach that reduces IT complexityby leveraging the efficient pooling ofon-demand, self-managed virtualinfrastructure, consumed as a service"

(http://www.vmware.com/ap/cloud-computing.html)

Definition of Cloud Computing

According to Wikipedia:

"Cloud computing is Internet-basedcomputing, whereby shared resource,software, and information are providedto computers and other devices ondemand, like the electricity grid.“

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud_computing)

Types of Cloud Computing

Software as a Service (Saas)Platforms as a Service (Paas)Infrastructure as a Service (Iaas)

Welcome to the

New World of

Cloud Computing

• Just make you familiar with Cloud Computing and its Services

1

• Explore Cloud Computing and how it can be used for providing library services

2

• Pros and Cons of Cloud Computing3

Our effort is to:

Why Cloud Computing

Dr. Ranganathan’s fourth principle very much applied when we say Cloud Computing. Save the time of reader by providing information anytime anywhere.

We should be able to design our services in such a way that a user gets it 24x7, if having good internet connectivity.

More efficient and speedy distribution of library services with lower cost

To be continue…

Continue…

American multinational Computer TechnologyCompany Dell is currently working on a projectcalled “Ophelia”, a potentially game changingdevice that is essentially a virtual computer thatcan be accessed anywhere. Project Opheliawould allow a user to access their owncomputer and its applications on any connecteddevices.

Simultaneously multiple users can use providedresources and services

Constant performance that is monitored by theservice provider

SO NOW, IT IS TIME FOR LIBRARIAN TO

CONCENTRATE ON PROVIDING PRO-ACTIVE SERVICES

AND MOVE FROM GENERAL SERVICE TO PERSONALIZE

INFORMATION SERVICES TO THE USERS FOR THE

BENEFIT OF ACADEMIC COMMUNITY RATHER THAN

HUNTING FOR TECHNOLOGY TO DELIVER THE

SERVICES.

Current LeadersKey Players in Cloud Computing Platforms (adapted from Lakshmanan (2009))

Company Cloud Computing

Platform

Year of

Launch

Key Offering

Amazon.com AWS (Amazon Web

Services)

2006 Infrastructure as a service (Storage

Computing), Datasets and Content

Distribution

Microsoft Azure 2009 Application platform as a service (.Net,

SQL data services )

Google Google App. Engine 2008 Web Application Platform as Service

IBM

Salesforce.com

Blue Cloud Force.com 2008 Proprietary 4GL Web application as an

demand platform

Use of Cloud Computing in Library

Data: Bibliographic, Digital, Administrative, License, Accessand Preservation.

Content: Collections, Subscriptions, Print, Publishing.

Services : Library as Place, Content Access, ContentCreation, Instruction, Research, Preservation.

Experience: Research, Study Support, Peer basedCollaboration, IT Exploration

Trends of Clud Computing

500

625700

810

1000

1300

300

600

900

1200

1500

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

Cloud Storage Subscriber Numbers

Million

Forecast

Source: Institute of Engineering and Technology, IHS © Graphic News

Library Services using Cloud

MendeleyWorldcat

Research Gate

ExLibris

Google Scholar

Library Thing

Dropbox

Google AppsGoogle Sites, Google Docs, Google Calendar, Google Chat…

Cloud Storage Comparison

Storage Service Comparison on a Annual Basis

Service

Provider

Free First Payment tier Second Payment

tier

Amazon 5GB 20GB ($10) 50GB ($25)

Apple iCloud 5GB 25GB ($40) 50GB ($100)

Box 5GB 25GB ($120) 50GB ($240)

Dropbox 2GB 100GB ($100) 200GB ($200)

Google Drive 5GB 25GB ($30) 100GB ($60)

Microsoft

SkyDrive

7GB 27GB ($10) 57GB ($25)

Mega 50GB 400GB ($120) 2TB ($240)

Core Advantages

Cost saving: You pay for what you use

Easy on installation and maintenance

Increased storage

Highly automated

Flexibility

Better mobility

Shared resources

Back up and restoration

Data security and privacy

Network connectivity and bandwidth

Service unavailability due to power outage

Dependence on outside agencies

Limited flexibility

Cost

Knowledge and integration

Long term stability of service provider

Disadvantages

Cloud Computing is in a period of strong growth, but thistechnology is still has some issues of security andsomewhat it is immature. Government TechnologyResearch Alliance (GTRA) research showed that the mostcommon concern about implementing Cloud Computingtechnology was security.

The real value of cloud computing is that it makes yourlibrary related software and data available transparentlyand everywhere including in latest available smart phonedevices.

We are all aware, country like India faced problems likedigital divide and off course very low internet bandwidth.So, benefit of new technology can be reached to limitedarea of educational area.

Conclusion

QUESTION PLEASE?

THANK YOU