Answer

Executive Summary to Board of Directors

In the light of emerging organizational information technology (IT) challenges and resultant customer complaints, it is quintessential for Balance Company to introduce a reliable Enterprise Resource Enterprise (ERP). Given that the organization is in the growth stage of the organization lifecycle, the following proposals should be considered in solving the current challenges.

In summary, the company should consider cloud-based servers as opposed to in-house servers. A cloud-based server is advantageous since it ensures uptime, scalability, real time mobile connections, security and low capital expense (Bociu, 494). This contrasts the in-house servers which require high up-front investment, loss of data in case of disasters, and a need for large space which might be expensive to acquire for a growing company. As much as cloud-based server is viable, the company should consider a hybrid server in future to enhance the security of its data.

PowerPoint Presentation

Annex A. Documentation for Selecting Cloud or Client server platform

1. Description of Cloud Solution

Considering the pros and cons of each of the server platforms as illustrated in the PowerPoint Presentation, it is recommended that the business uses cloud server platforms as opposed to the client servers.

1. Pros and Cons

The advantages of cloud services include ability to increase the server storage as the business grows. A growing business will require more space as its operations increase. As a result, it is important that the business begins by paying for small storage space and expand the storage as business needs increase. Secondly, cloud servers allow remote access by customers and employees. This attribute enhances flexibility. In addition, the workers can upload and backup data remotely regardless of their location. Third, the business will only purchase software licenses to access cloud storage. This capability eliminates the demand for expensive hardware and space required to set-up a server.

The disadvantages of cloud servers include. First, the possibility of service outages which could disrupt operations. Second, the operations of the business will be limited by the speed of their internet connectivity. Third, cloud takes longer to retrieve large amounts of data compared to physical hardware.

1. Select Cloud services providers.

The five best providers of cloud service platforms are Egnyte Business, Microsoft’s Azure, Citrix content collaboration, Dropbox Business, Google Docs, NetSuite, and iDrive Small Business. The most viable provider to consider is Microsoft’s Azure.

1. Select Recommended cloud services (SAAS)

There are three types of cloud services. Infrastructure as a service (IaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), and Software as a service (SaaS). Out of these options, the best for Balance Company is SaaS. According to bbb, SaaS represents a fully-developed software solution that can be purchased and used over the internet through subscription.

1. Selected service and cost estimation (for 50 positions). Describe the cost estimation process per year.

Figure 1: Monthly Costs of Backup Space on Azure (Microsoft Azure, para 5)

Assuming Balance Company requires a storage space of 1.2 TB of data, then the cost will be $30 after which storage costs vary according to the storage space demanded. For instance, the business will pay $10 for two increments of 500 GB and $10 for the remaining 200GB data storage demanded.

1. Description of Client Server Solution

Client server solution refer to the relationship between cooperating programs used in an application composed of clients that initiate requests to access certain services. OmniSci adds that a client server architecture or model represents a distributed application framework that divides tasks between clients, and servers which either reside in a computer network, internet or same system (para, 1). There are four categories of client-server computing; one tier architecture, two tier architecture, three-tier architecture, and N-tier architecture.

1. Pros and cons

The best option for Balance Company is the N-Tier architecture which separates responsibilities among the physical tiers depending on the number of logical layers.

1. Select Client Servers and client providers

Amazon provides two types of client servers, namely; Amazon Lightsail and Amazon EC2. Amazon lightsail denotes a cloud platform that is fast, reliable, and cost effective with an easy to use interface. Amazon EC2 is a web service used for computing that offers resizable, and secure computing capability in the cloud. Balance Company will use the Amazon Lightsail as it is preferable for small businesses.

1. Cost of purchasing Server and client for 50 positions

Amazon Lightsail provides a one month trial after which the business will pay $3.50 per month.