Proposition to Introduce Cloud Client Architecture at Macfarlanes LLP - Report Example

Proposition to Introduce Cloud Client Architecture at Macfarlanes LLP Macfarlanes LLP Management Brief Proposition to Introduce Cloud / Client Architecture at Macfarlanes LLP As the current Information Systems Manager at Macfarlanes LLP, my job requires that I assume the role of technological gate-keeping which is a function that requires that I constantly analyze any newly emergent information and communication technologies that might potentially be of great benefit for Macfarlanes LLP. To this end, I have identified and researched on cloud/client architecture and have carefully prepared this management brief proposing that Macfarlanes LLP introduce and implement cloud / client architecture. Aim: To present a recommendation that will seek to achieve the successful introduction and implementation of cloud / client architecture at Macfarlanes LLP. Background Information on Cloud / Client Architecture Cloud/client computing architecture is basically a terms that used to refer to the various components and subcomponents that are required so as to be able to set up either a client or a cloud computing network. Of note is that there exists a basic distinction between cloud and client architectures (Donnell 2010). In the more traditional client – server model architecture that is commonly found to still be largely in use today, clients are able to easily connect to servers configured to perform some certain particular jobs. The server may be designed to host a webpage, a database or even a series of several file shares. When the client - which in this case might be a computer, mobile phone or any other device - connects to this particular server, there already is an implicit understanding of exactly which type of data transmission or communication will ensue between the two computers (Sharma et al., 2012). The somewhat tight coupling between the server and the client machine can potentially pose a number of problems in the event that the server has to be taken down for maintenance, as all the various applications that are seen to be dependent on the particular server will have to be pointed at another server. In a cloud computing architecture model, the division of labor, network topology, number of actual machines in the network and the hardware are all seen to be carefully abstracted behind a single endpoint (Smoot and Tan 2012). The upshot of cloud computing architecture over the client architecture model is that there is only a single endpoint that is exposed to help provide application functionality in cloud computing, it is this endpoint that the client consumer of the specific application has to worry about as opposed to the client-server architecture where considerations such as where should the client call for the particular required application process and where to get the specific data have to be considered. In cloud computing, it is quite possible for the architect and administrators of the cloud services to be able to change the network topology, machines and other specific cloud service implementation details without their service clients being any wiser as their services will not be disrupted (Antonopoulos and Gillam 2010). Why Should Macfarlanes LLP Invest in Cloud / Client Architecture? Macfarlanes was able to post a positive 12% revenue growth as well as a 10% profit growth per equity partner (PEP) for the 2012-13 financial year. By implementing cloud / client architecture, Macfarlanes will be able to make considerable saving on cost and thus further improve its profits and revenue growth (Gerard 2013). The recent global economic crisis triggered by the collapse of the Lehman brothers is seen to have adversely affected most private equity firms in the United Kingdom including both of the industry heavyweights Macfarlanes and Travers Smith. In the first extremely chaotic years after the collapse of the Lehman brothers the profits per equity partner (PEP) was seen to fall by an average of more than 30% at both firms. However, both firms have been able to rally and recover with Travers seeing their revenues grow by 11.6% in the 2009-10 financial year against an amazing 53.5% rise in PEP. Macfarlanes on the other hand has been unable to attain its boom-time PEP that at one time attained a high of £1.1. Investing in a cloud / client architecture will serve to provide Macfarlanes with the much needed boost to increase its current PEP of £990,000 to its pre-Lehman collapse levels (Reynolds 2014). Cloud architecture cannot be regarded as being a new technological concept to the legal sector and currently, numerous law firms across the world are seriously considering the various cloud architecture options that are available to them. Most law firms recognize the immense benefits offered by cloud computing disaster recovery and back up which is found to be faster as compared to the current system where most law firms commonly use tape backups which normally take days to complete. In the event of a disaster such as IT hardware failure, fire or flood, law firms using cloud architecture can be assured that their operations will be able to continue with minimal interruptions. The adoption of cloud/client architecture stands to offer Macfarlanes LLP a number of key benefits. (A client Architecture will cause Macfarlanes to experience improved data sharing as the data generated from the business process will be easily available to the various designated users that have authorized access to these information. Other key advantages of client architecture include inter-operation of data, integration of services, shared resources among the various different platforms, security, easy maintenance and the availability of data processing capabilities despite the location. Cloud computing will offer the firm a pay-as-you-go approach that will serve to help it avoid the usually high software and hardware costs. These cost benefits include: Macfarlanes will stand to benefit from the software as a service (SaaS) cloud computing service model that will see the cloud provider become responsible for the installation and maintenance of software in the cloud system. Macfarlane’s will be able to effectively avoid the installation, maintenance and upgrade costs associated with software (Databarracks 2013). Adopting Cloud architecture will also enable Macfarlanes to benefit from infrastructure as a service (IaaS). Infrastructure as a service generally involves the taking the physical IT system hardware and causing it to go completely virtual. These Information Technology (IT) systems might include networks, servers, storage and system management (Databarracks 2013). Macfarlanes LLP will only have to pay a low monthly or annual fee to run a system of virtual networks, storage and servers from the cloud. By doing this, it will be able to effectively mitigate the costs normally involved in maintaining this system. These costs are seen to include cooling, heating, the maintenance of hardware at the local level and the need for setting-up a data center (Molen and Brace et al., 2010). Implementation of a Cloud / Client Architecture at Macfarlanes LLB Similarly to most other law firms of its size, Macfarlanes has already developed an Information technology system to help it in its various information technology related operations. The implementation of the cloud / client architecture system will be done in phases as the old system is gradually replaced. The company’s employees will also undergo some basic training on how to use the new cloud / client architecture system so as to help in easing the system’s adoption into the company. The cloud / client architecture system is already in existence and is currently being used by a large number of law firms such as Field Fisher Waterhouse with very positive results. Field Fisher Waterhouse, which is one of the UK’s top 50 law firms, has already turned to cloud computing so as to modernize its current IT systems and cut costs. Field Fisher Waterhouse expects to save about £400,000 over a five year period, while its carbon footprint is expected to reduced by 900. Other savings that the firm also stands to gain from adopting a cloud computing system includes a 70% reduction in its overall power consumption (Heine 2011). In relation to time, it is important for Macfarlanes LLB to adopt and implement the technology as soon as possible over a time period of about 90 days so as for it to be able to achieve the first mover advantage and other considerable benefits before other law firms can start adopting the technology in large numbers. Costs: The costs that will be involved in setting up the cloud / client server architecture system will include: Investing in servers and other hardware for the client-server architecture system £ 120,000 Management and system implementation costs £ 40,000 Cloud computing service providers fees £ 30,000 Software costs for the client –architecture system £ 35,000 Other potential unforeseen costs £ 10,000 While the initial implementation of the system will generally be quite high, Macfarlane’s will nevertheless be able to make impressive savings from the continual use of the system. Once the company has successfully implemented the system and has started making saving on its usage, It can then begin to explore avenues on how it can expand it and hence make more savings while improving on the company’s general effectiveness. Strengths and Weakness Summary of Implementing the Cloud / Client Architecture System Strengths Weaknesses Advantages of Cloud Architecture Cost efficient Easier backup and recover A virtually almost unlimited storage Quick deployment Automatic software updates and integration Quick deployment from any location Advantages of Client Architecture Integration of services Greatly improved data sharing Easy access to data processing capabilities despite location Shared resource across different platforms Easy maintenance Inter-operation of data Good Security Disadvantages of Cloud Architecture Security and privacy issues in the cloud Prone to cyber attacks Like all technologies cloud computing can at times be prone to outages Disadvantages of Client Architecture The servers can at times be overloaded causing traffic congestion and slower access to vital information As a result of the client architecture system being centralized, in the event that a critical server happens to fail, client requests will not be accomplished until the server is sufficiently serviced. (Miller 2010; Gray 2013) Bibliography Antonopoulos Nick and Gillam Lee. 2010. Cloud computing : principles, systems and applications. London : Springer. Databarracks. 2013. The Real Challenges and Benefits of Cloud Computing to Law Firms. Available at Gray Leon. 2013. How Does Cloud Computing Work? The Rosen Publishing Group. Heine Friederike. 2011. Field Fisher becomes one of first major UK law firms to adopt cloud computing. Available at Miller Michael. 2008. Cloud Computing: Web-Based Applications That Change the Way You Work and Collaborate Online. Que Publishing. Molen Fred and Brace Colin, et al. 2010. Get ready for cloud computing : a comprehensive guide to virtualization and cloud computing. Zaltbommel: Van Haren Publishing. ODonnell David. 2010. The Proceedings of the 10th European Conference on e -Government. Reading : Academic Publishing. Reynolds Anna. 2014. Two sides of the coin – can Travers and Macfarlanes still be classed as City bellwethers? Available at Sharma Vivek. 2012. Web-Based and Traditional Outsourcing. CRC Press. Smoot Stephen and Tan Nam. 2012. Private cloud computing : consolidation, virtualization, and service-oriented infrastructure. Waltham, MA : Morgan Kaufmann. Starkey, Gerard. 2013. Macfarlanes growth continues with double-digit revenue and PEP hikes. Available at Read More