Current Trends In Hardware Platforms Information Technology Essay

up-to-date Trends In Hardware Platforms Information Technology EssayThe Infrastructure is one of the vital components in ancestry strategy. If a bank wants to provide sizable customer dish up therefore they should adopt the outstrip technologies that are purchasable. The success of an organization lies with the Infrastructure development. The Infrastructure involves two the hardware and parcel platforms that are necessary for the deed of an organization.Causes for change in InfrastructuresCost of computing go and software package is risingHigh customer expectationsintegration of data across platformsCurrent trends in hardware platformsThere are basic wholey five trends in hardware platforms in recent years consolidation of Computing and Telecommunications PlatformsHigh rate of computing via networkIntegration of telephone and internetHigh computing author gridiron ComputingCost thriftiness on monolithic infrastructuresSmaller computer are connected to form a power gri dIncrease the agility of organizationsHigh speed of computing be smirch ComputingCost Saving as no capital investment is neededHigh speed computingData transfer is quick telephone circuit Agility of organizationsAutonomic ComputingDevelop systems that can automatically download updatesProtect themselves from hackers and intrudersRecover themselves in case of disasterVirtualization and Multi-core ProcessorsBoth reduces power inspirationVirtualization Accessing computing resources in multiple ways irrespective of geographical location and physical configuration.Multi-core Processors Use multi-core processors to reduce power consumption and heat.Current trends in software platformsLinux and the open-source software movementLinux is one of the most(prenominal) widely used open source software programLinux is supported by almost all platforms like HP, IBM, Intel, Dell, Sun etc.Linux is a open software and can be customized tally to the needs of the company.Linux runs on all major h ardware platforms mainframes, servers, and clients chocolateProgramming language that is independent of the direct system and hardware processor.Java virtual machine has been defined.Java is compatible with any hardwareJava applet has been occupied when an object moves or input is required for the user.Leading interactive programming language available for the Web is Java.Software for enterprise integrationThe usage of enterprise-wide software systems by firms is an important trend in last few years.The goal is to achieve an integrated firm-wide data environment, reduce cost, increase reliability, to adopt business best practices which are captured by the software.AJAX, Mashups and Web-based software applicationsAjax (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML) is a Web development tools used for creating interactive Web applications.Mashup It is a Web application that combines data or functionality from more(prenominal) than one source.Software outsourcingIt is the prewritten software developed by a software companyIt helps the organizations from developing their own softwares.Mobile PlatformThe growth of telecom constancy especially in unstable sector has been incredible over last few years. The service providers upgraded the mobile networks with next-Generation service like 3G, WAP and GPRS. The banks are trying to take advantage this growth in the telecom sector and provide the go to the customers by means of with(predicate) mobile. The main advantage of mobile banking over the Internet banking is that it offers Anywhere Anytime Banking. Customers can yellow journalism their floors, transfer funds, balance statements etc during travel without the annoy to a computer. The limitations of Internet Banking are overcome in mobile banking since it requires only a mobile which can be accessed by people of developing countries also.Mobile Banking Business ModelsThe gravels of mobile banking are classified into three based on the relationship with the end-cus tomers. They areBank-focused modelBank-led modelNon Bank-led modelMobile Banking ServicesThe various services offered by the bank through mobile are listed below.Account InformationBalance statement and checking account historyInsurance policy managementChecking the terms of fixed depositsMinimum balance alertsPension plan managementPayments TransfersDomestic and international fund transfers. motley bill paymentsMobile rechargingPayments of several(predicate) products brought via e-bay, Amazon etc.InvestmentsAlerts and notifications about various portfolios from acquit marketAssist in investments on stock market and shared funds.SupportCheque book and card requestsProvisions to register complaints through mobileStatus of insurance coverage, credits etcATM and Branch locator cognitive inwardness ServicesGeneral alerts like weather. News etcTechnologies Used in Mobile BankingInteractive Voice Response (IVR)In Interactive Voice Response (IVR) a pre-assigned number is specified to the customers by the bank. In IVR, when a customer make to a call to this number he will be acknowledged by a pre-recorded message. The customer can choose from the menu options specified in the electronic message according to his requirements. There are some limitations for the mobile banking through IVRIVR is expensive compared to data transfer via SMS or WAPCan be used for Enquiry Based Services onlyShort Messaging Service (SMS)The most popular technology used in Mobile Banking to provide services to customers is Short Messaging Service (SMS). The bank will provide the necessary training to the customers in reply to a service command to a pre-specific number send by the customer. The advantages of SMS areCheaper compared to IVRAnywhere Anytime BankingWorks across all service providersThe major limitation of SMS is regarding the security of the contents.Wireless Access Protocol (WAP)In WAP concept the customers access the WAP sites maintained by the bank through the WAP compatibl e browser on their mobile phones. The advantage of WAP concept is thatWAP sites offer the general form based interfaceEffectively provide securityThe disadvantage of WAP is dependency on speed of network connection and hand pock limitation.Standalone Mobile Client ApplicationsThis concept is used to provide complex banking transactions like trading in the stock market, securities etc. The advantages of this concept areCan be easily personalized in accordance with the density of the user interface digests ample securityProvide reliable channel for communication.The disadvantages areSeveral different combinations may prevent support of different devices, operating system etcInconsistent performance due to differing handset capabilitiesAdvantages of Mobile BankingCost deliverIt helps Banks as well as service providers to achieve growthBanks will be able to provide good services to customers like reminding the customers on due dates of insurance, loan repayment dates etcAnywhere Anyti me BankingCan be used over vast geographical areaNeed few numbers of employees to provide the services for the consumers.The mobile banking is expected to grow at a rapid rate. The online users of banking are expected to change to mobile banking. The number of mobile banking users is expected to grow to 50-100 million by 2016. The security of mobile banking is a major cause of worry. If the concerns of the customers are attention deficit disorderressed properly, then mobile banking will be fully adopted by customers in future. gridiron ComputingThe basic idea of Grid computing is that the computers are connected as a grid and the software running in the grid gives more priority to local users, but when they become idle these computers are used over the grid. In Grid computing the computers over the internet is connected using middleware permitting them to operate as a virtual whole. In Grid computing we use a distributed set of data centre rather than a single centralized data cen tre. The computers across the globe share resources for computation of large amount of data. If an organization having large numbers of computer, then a cluster is formed by connecting all computers. One main computer called front-end computer is connected to the grid through network. The be computers in the cluster is called back-end computer which is connected with front-end computer only. IBM is considered to be the leader in Grid computing. The IBM Grid data centres are compatible with all operating systems like Unix, Linux and Windows.The primary objectives of Grid Computing areCollective processing powerProviding remote access to IT resourcesAdvantages of Adopting Grid ComputingScalabilityIf more capacity is required, add more computers to the grid.Economical handlingNo need of large IT infrastructures like ServersNo need of experts to manage IT resourcesPrice will be based on consumption.Grid computation allows effective utilization of resources.Redundancy and recoveryGrid e nvironments are much more modular and dont have single points of failure. If any failure occurs, there are large numbers of resources to take the task.Grid computing allows execution of large task by splitting into small pieces and executes them in different machinesGrid computation allows parallel execution of a taskDisadvantages of Adopting Grid ComputingInternet dependencyNeed fast internet connection pledgeData storage in grid computation is liable for attack from intruders and hackers.It is difficult to manage so many computers in the Grid. There is unavailability of good middleware which hinders the implementation of grid computing.Licensing across many servers may make it prohibitive for some appsThe Grid computation is not a new concept. The Grip computation has been used by many institutions to perform complex computations. The Grid computing offers efficient, quick, reliable and standard based solutions for the problems faced by Banks in this competitive environment. The Grid computation will help the Banks to provide services to the customers quickly. The distributed nature of grid computing is transparent to the customers for evaluation. If the security issue associated with the Grid computing is solved then the Grid computing can be used in the banking sector.Cloud ComputingThe cloud computing is the one of the most popular technology available in business. By 2015, the cloud computing services is expected to grow to $160 billion from existing $36 billion. The cloud computing provides number of services such as account operating, insurance services and loans etc. The cloud computing is customer-centric and flexible business model which will help the banks to gain maximum profit. The cloud computing will help the banks to deliver the services to the customers quickly. The idea behind cloud computing is that the data of the organization is stored in data centers primed(p) within the organization or datacenter provided by the cloud providers like Amazon.Cloud computing is divided into threeInfrastructure as a service (IaaS) section the infrastructure between several users.Database as a service (DaaS) Datas of many users is stored in single data base.Software as a service (SaaS) The services are given to the users on monthly subscription rather than buying the license by individuals. It has many advantages like simplicity in installation and maintenance, cost saving etc.There are four types of clouds usedPrivate cloud Built within companys data centre and distributed to the internal business user through virtual communication, communications services etc. To meet the service requirements the components can be expanded and contracted. It permits more control to the organization, but does not support share of resources.Public cloud In public cloud the organizations operate the applications from a date centre which is provided by the third party. The servers, infrastructure and the network required for the operation of ap plications is provided by the third party.Community cloud Cloud is controlled and shared by multiple organizations having similar interest.Hybrid cloud In hybrid cloud features of both(prenominal) the internal private and external public clouds are combined.Advantages of Adopting Cloud ComputingScalabilityCapacity of the platform can be expanded or contracted according to the requirement.Cost SavingNo capital investment is neededNo need of IT infrastructureNo need of experts to look servers etcPricing is based on the consumptionLess operational costBusiness AgilityAllows organizations to react quickly to market conditionsCloud computing is flexibleHigh computing powerData transfer is fasterRapid innovationsBuilt-in Disaster Recovery Back-up SitesProvides blue level of redundancyDevice Location IndependenceEnable customers to access the system from anywhereIts GreenerLow power consumptionGreater use of resourcesDisadvantages of Adopting Cloud ComputingSecurityData storage in cl oud is doubtfulData Location PrivacyDifferent privacy and data management laws be relevant in different nationsInternet Dependency, Performance LatencyDependency on internetLatency on the Internet is highly inconsistent and volatileAvailability Service LevelsPotential for down-time if the system isnt available for useCurrent Enterprise Applications Cant Be Migrated EasilyDifficult to change existing arrangement to cloud computingThe cloud computing is an evolving concept and it has many advantages and disadvantages. The cloud services will help the organizations like banks to provide services quickly at cheaper rates. I will also help them to provide the customers with 365*7*24 access to the services. So it is upon each individual organization to decide whether they implement cloud computing technology or not.Factors Affecting IT InfrastructureNetwork economic scienceThere is a central difference between the old and new economies the old industrial economy was driven by economi es of scale the new information economy is driven by economics of networks. (Carl Shapiro and Hal R. Varian, 1999)Declining Communication CostThe customers will be benefited if more networks enter into the market. If more competition takes place in the networking domain the service providers will be forced to reduce the cost as well provides better service. Consider the case of Bharath Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), the cost of calls was very high when BSNL alone enjoyed the monopoly of the network. and when more firms enter the telecom industry BSNL was forced to decrease the cost and increase the service provided to the customers. To improve the services given to the customers forward motion in technology is necessary. They used new technologies like 3G to provide better services to the customers.Improving Technology StandardsThe network providers must upgrade the platform by adopting new technologies like mobile banking, grid computing and cloud computing which will help the se rvice providers to improve the performance. Limited packages might benefit consumers. But network owner should not be able to bar services that allow competitive package offerings. For example, preferential caching by the network for an affiliated content provider might be o.k., but barring access for a 3rd party provider of caching services should raise concerns