Cloud Computing

Previously on...

In our last post, we discussed open source software. We next turn to a technology often used to help develop and distribute open source products: Cloud Computing.

So what is cloud computing?

Cloud computing is the practice of using a network of remote servers hosted on the Internet to store, manage, and process data, rather than a local server or personal computer. Most of us utilize cloud computing whether we realize it or not. Common applications like Facebook, web based email, Flickr, and GoogleDocs are all examples of cloud computing.

Cloud computing can be broken down into three primary types of services:

• Software as a Service (SaaS)--Applications or software are delivered as a service to the customer who can access the program from any online device.
• Platform as a Service (PaaS)--A computing platform is provided which supplies tools and a development environment to help companies build, test, and deploy Web-based applications.
• Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)--Also sometimes referred to as HaaS, or Hardware as a Service, and entails both storage services and computing power.

How does this relate to special libraries?

Cloud computing services can save any library money because the initial investment in new hardware and software is minimal. This is of particular concern for special libraries, because more of the budget can be devoted to specialized content instead of technology expenditures. Since cloud services essentially outsource computer resources, even small special libraries can offer services and access to information on par with their larger counterparts.

SaaS applications are probably the most frequently encountered cloud services in special libraries. This is often a very economical choice, since there is no software that needs to be purchased and installed on each workstation. Additionally, the SaaS provider takes care of updates and technical support, meaning its customers always have the most current software versions without having to pay for periodic upgrades. Law libraries have been using the online research services, Westlaw and LexisNexis, for years. These services can be accessed using a web browser on any internet enabled device, which also means patrons can use these services remotely.

With cloud computing, resources are on the provider’s servers, so the library does not have to purchase and maintain its own infrastructure. Since there is little to no up-front financial commitment, libraries only need to upgrade hardware when there is a permanent increase in their needs. For short term needs, cloud users can rent computing resources, such as processors and storage by the day, and cease the service when no longer needed.

Many special libraries have recently undertaken to digitize large parts of their unique collections. Using cloud services to complete these tasks would allow libraries to take advantage of remote computing power and complete tasks more efficiently and cheaply than they could have otherwise. The New York Time’s digitization project provides a perfect example: Over a century's worth of scanned newspaper pages needed to be converted to browser-friendly PDF format. The job would have required several weeks to get started and the purchase of more hardware if done internally. Amazon Web Services ran the 4 Tb job over a weekend though at the cost of $240.

Although cloud computing offers a number of benefits, concerns over privacy, security, and reliability are causing some institutions to build their own private or hybrid clouds. Hybrid clouds are mostly privately owned and operated, but can shift heavy traffic and data processing requests to public cloud vendors if needed. Libraries may soon be adopting this trend in order to have more control over private information about patrons that would otherwise be in third party hands. Similar types of special libraries could even cooperate to build community clouds to share costs effectively.

References

Golden, B. (2009, July/August). Cloud computing: "Be prepared." EDUCAUSE Review, 44, 4, 64-65. Retrieved from http://www.educause.edu/er/GoldenInterview

Kroski, E. (2009, September 10). Library cloud atlas: A guide to cloud computing and storage | Stacking the tech. In Library Journal. Retrieved from http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6695772.html

Murley, D. (2009). Technology for everyone...Law libraries in the cloud. Law Library Journal, 101, 249-254.

Peters, C. (2010, March 6). What is cloud computing and how will it affect libraries? In TechSoup for Libraries. Retrieved from http://www.techsoupforlibraries.org/blog/what-is-cloud-computing-and-how-will-it-affect-libraries

Schnell, E. (2009, February 17). TechTips: Cloud computing. In Ohio State University Libraries Blogs. Retrieved from http://library.osu.edu/blogs/techtips/2009/02/17/techtips-cloud-computing/