02-06-2012, 11:32 AM
Network as a Service And Mobile Cloud Computing
Network as a Service And Mobile Cloud Computing.pdf (Size: 723.85 KB / Downloads: 40)
Introduction
One of the most exciting and potentially profitable developments in computing and the Internet is the emergence of “Cloud Computing”. With their valuable communications assets and massive subscriber base, the global (mobile) telecom network can tap this market and provide valuable, revenue generating cloud computing capabilities in the form of Network as a Service (NaaS).
Cloud computing is essentially the evolution of computing in which processing and data storage move away from desktop and laptop computers and back into large data centres. Cloud Services are applications, products, and services that take advantage of Cloud Computing by hosting the primary processing or data storage in the Cloud and making them available, on demand. Cloud Services require real-time access to the Internet, interworking with low footprint applications on users’ devices (such as browsers, email clients, widgets, etc). The high access bandwidth that is now available within both wireline and wireless domains is one of the key enablers driving the adoption of Cloud Computing across many industry sectors.
Network as a Service
Telecom operators (Telcos) are recognizing the so-called Telco 2.0 business model and adopting the idea of the “Network as a Service” (NaaS) in the same way that the software market is evolving into the Software as a Service (SaaS) – approach. With the NaaS model, Telcos treat their key network assets – communications, information and intelligence, and a billable customer base – as marketable resources that can be offered to third parties on a commercial basis.
Mobile Cloud Computing
Cloud Computing represents a huge opportunity for the mobile industry as a whole. The renowned analyst firm, ABI Research, forecasts that the number of Mobile Cloud Computing subscribers worldwide will grow rapidly over the next five years, rising from 42.8 million subscribers in 2008, (approximately 1.1% of all mobile subscribers) to just over 998 million in 2014 (nearly 19%) – representing a global revenue opportunity of almost $20 billion. According to ABI, business productivity applications will soon dominate the mix of mobile cloud applications, particularly collaborative document sharing, scheduling, and sales force management apps. (Source: ABI Research: Mobile Cloud Computing report, July 2009).
Mobile Cloud Business Model
By necessity, any description of a business model in a paper such as this one, is a simplification as there are many possible variants. However, the main players are clear, with two key players logically extending the generic cloud-computing model:
• Network operators providing NaaS services,
• ‘Cross Network Service Providers’ (CNSPs) who make these services ubiquitously available and create the mobile cloud.
An Example
The potential power of Mobile Cloud Computing is best shown by an example. A SaaS provider, for example SalesForce.com (and Force.com), sells as a subscription service, powerful Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and sales force management cloud services to enterprises. Plug-ins from third parties are actively encouraged, many of which are independently subscribed to by end users. Whilst some plug-ins are free, many are chargeable, either as a one-off payment, or as a subscription.