DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A CLOUD BASED
DOCUMENT MANAGEMENT PROCESSING SYSTEM
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Introduction
Cloud Computing is a new paradigm of
computing which has evolved in recent times, it’s a platform where hardware and
software are delivered to users in a manner that resembles the way utilities
such as electricity are delivered to households today (Flanagan, 2002). Cloud
computing is an online form of computing where users can access applications
(especially, Web-Based Applications) via a web-browser, while the application
is installed and stored on a data center which comprises several servers.
1.2 Background of Study
Cloud in computing domaindescribes
the use of a collection of services, applications, information, and infrastructureswhich
comprises pools of virtualization technology, disk storage, inexpensive
servers, and network. These components can be rapidly orchestrated,
provisioned, implemented, commissioned and scaled up or down providing for an
on-demand utility-like model of allocations and consumption. As the users
increasingly demand to satisfy their immediate information needs, the cloud has
become a preferred platform to deliver such information. However, in cloud
computing, cloud does not just only include data pipes, routers, and servers,
it also involves providing services and capabilities to build applications. The
importance of cloud computing has emerge as the bedrock of modern information
system which can neither be overemphasized nor overlooked. An enterprise cloud
computing is a controlled, internal place that offers rapid and flexible
provisioning of compute power, storage, software, and security services.
In these age of complex business
intelligence and big-data enterprise, enterprise cloud computing has corroborate
with enterprise web applications which now serves as core business model that
manages full-fledged collaborative workflow-based applications, spanning
multiple individuals, small scale business, IT inclined and non-inclined large
scale businesses as well asorganizations. Cloud enables enterprises to unleash
their potential for innovation through greater intelligence, creativity,
flexibility and efficiency, all at reduced cost.
1.3 Statement of
Problem
Cloud computing as a new innovation
and ultimate solution for utility and distributed computing on Web Applications
has been used by billions of users across the globe since its inception. Its
implementation and impact cut across several fields, disciplines and businesses
acrossthe globe. Nevertheless, cloud computing have been bedeviled by certain
obstacles, the goal of this research study is to discern the factors affecting
performance andprovide some solutions or guidelines to cloud users that might
run into performance problems:
1.
Integrity and protection of information deployed or stored in
the cloud domain as oppose the traditional approach of information storage.
2.
Ability to transform data from diverse sources into
intelligence and deliver intelligence information to right users and systems.
3.
The need for load balancing and traffic control when multiple
users access the cloud service.
4.
Need to address the scalability issue: Large scale data, high
performance computing, automaton, response time, rapid prototyping, and rapid
time to production.
5.
Security, privacy and trust issues from the end users of
cloud services.
6.
Adopting cloud as a platform to enhance a vibrant business
intelligence environment.
1.4 Aim and
Objectives
The
aim of the research work is to design a cloud based document management and
resource sharing system that provides solution to factors affecting
performance, security and reliability in the cloud computing domain. This
research study has the following objectives:
1.
To offer a controlled approach for the problem of security, privacy
and trust issues from the end users of cloud services.
2.
To offer benchmark for the amount of resources users can
store in the cloud service which solves the problem of scalability and load
balancing.
3.
To offer provision of on-demand utility to users of the cloud
service at a quick response time.
1.5 Significance of
the Study
The
application of Information technology cuts across every facet of human endeavor
(Izevbizua, 2013). The significance of
this research study is:
1.
It offers guarantee on the quality of cloud computing
services.
2.
It offers an easy information sharing platform for the users.
3.
It highlights and solves the problem of multi-tenancy (where
a single application instance may serve hundreds of users or subscribers).
4.
It offers a measured security of information stored in the
cloud domain.
1.6 Limitations of
the Study
This study is constrained
by certain factors which constitute limitations of the study:
1.
The problem of data size limit assign to subscribers of the
system may not allow users to deploy as much resources as they desire to store
and share among other users.
2.
The expense of acquiring a space on the cloud service
provider was tasking initially. This lead to the concentration of the study to
some restricted scope.
3.
The measure of resource security within the cloud domain may
not suit users; which gives room for improvement of resource security in
further research.
1.7 Organization of
the Work
This research study is
organized in the following chapters:
1.
Chapter one deals with the Introduction, which includes
Background of Study, Statement of problems, Aims and Objectives, Significance
of Study, Limitations of Study, Organization of Study, Definition of Terms.
2.
Chapter two reviews related literature of the research study.
3.
Chapter three highlights the system analysis and design.
4.
Chapter four deals with the implementation of the system
developed.
5.
Chapter five gives an exhaustive conclusion of the research
work.
1.8 Definition of
Terms
1.
Server: It is any combination of
hardware or software designed to provide services to clients.
2.
Client: It requests
and consumes the services provided by another having the role of server.
3.
Virtualization: It is the ability to separate the OS from the
hardware that operates it.
4.
Private Cloud: It is an approach for
designing, implementing and managing servers, applications and data center
resources by reducing complexity, increasing standardization and automation,
and provide elasticity.
5.
Web Application: It is any software
application that depends on the Web for its correct execution.
6.
PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor is a server-side
scripting language designed for web development as well as general purpose
programming language.
7.
DBMS: Database Management System is a
computerized record keeping system that comprises collection of data organized
to service many applications at the same time.