Move into the Cloud, shall we?

Sharon Q. Yang

What is cloud computing? openness, zero initial investment, and on- platform and service. Therefore, another
demand use (Figure 1). name for hardware as a service is:
There is no official definition for
cloud computing. A review of the Types of cloud computing [. . .] platform as a service (“PaaS”). PaaS-
computer and technology literature Platform as a Service allows users to
reveals that each individual author Cloud computing falls into several deploy their own applications on the
defines it differently. However, the commonly acknowledged categories: provider’s cloud infrastructure under
most frequently cited definition is that software as a service (SaaS), hardware the provider’s environment such as
by National Institute of Standards and as a service (HaaS) or platform as a programming languages, libraries, and
Technology that defines cloud service (PaaS), and infrastructure as tools (Han, 2010).
computing as: a service (IaaS).
IaaS – Infrastructure as a service Program developers often use PaaS to
[. . .] a model for enabling convenient, on- allows an organization to outsource its develop and test new programs. A cloud
demand network access to a shared pool whole IT infrastructure to a cloud provider often partitions a physical
of configurable computing resources (e.g. provider in support of its day-to-day server into spaces, each of which can
network, servers, storage, applications, be configured as a virtual server with its
and services) that can be rapidly
operations such as network components,
servers, software applications, technical own IP and domain name. Customers
provisioned and released with minimal
management effort or service provider support, and storage. For smaller pay for a virtual server, but in reality
interaction (Han, 2010). organizations this may be a viable share the same physical machine with
solution. Commonly, cloud computing many other customers. One can lease
Another source states that cloud takes place in software solutions. server space by time or block of time.
computing is “any server usage or Customers do not buy software For instance, Amazon Web Services
software application you can access solution as a product, but as a service. provides different pricing structures and
outside of your local server” (Wolf, “SaaS – Software as a Service (SaaS) options for hardware usage. Its HaaS
2010). One author considers it “an allows users to use the cloud computing product, Amazon Elastic Compute
emerging architecture by which data providers’ applications through a thin Cloud (Amazon EC2), offers on-
and applications reside in cyberspace, client interface such as a web browser” demand instances and allows
allowing users to access them through (Han, 2010). SaaS is ubiquitous in our customers to pay by-the-hour without
any web-connected device” (Murley, life even though one may not be aware of long term commitment. The price ranges
2009). The simplest and shortest it and therefore may not call it cloud from $0.2 to $2.6 per hour depending on
definition includes “a new technology computing. For instance, LibGuides and the server space and power. Amazon
model for IT services” (Goldner, 2011). 360 Resource Manager are examples of Web Services also offers the option for
In spite of various attempts to define cloud computing that librarians have reserved block usage for a cheaper rate
cloud computing, it is clear that more and used for years. Other examples may
per hour if the customer can make a
more vendors host applications on their include Google Docs where one can
commitment for one to three years.
end and customers access those upload documents and collaborate with
colleagues or use forms to create online Other price options by Amazon include
applications using the internet as a
surveys. In client/server model a user “spot” instances where one can bid for
communication channel. The cyber
space is the cloud and computing takes has more control over the software as it unused EC2 server space and the spot
place remotely. The client/server model is hosted in the local server. All the price may fluctuate based on demand
is on the decline. Cloud computing is system administrative work is done and supply ratio. Figures 2 and 3 are
both a trend and a technology to deliver locally such as backup, server fine examples of two different Amazon EC2
software and hardware as a service, not as tuning, and trouble shooting. SaaS will server configurations and their pricing.
a product. It involves a centralized data reduce local system administration as all The virtual server shown in Figure 3 is
center, virtual server space, and secure maintenance will be done remotely by more powerful than the one shown in
transfer of data over the internet. The cloud providers. Figure 2 and therefore more expensive.
alleged advantages of cloud computing In addition to software, cloud The calculation is based on the
include low cost to own, agile updates, providers also sell hardware space as a information from Amazon Web

4 Library Hi Tech News Number 1 2012, pp. 4-7, q Emerald Group Publishing Limited, 0741-9058, DOI 10.1108/07419051211223417
Figure 1. Cloud computing and operating expense during a five
year period for Amazon EC2 is $2,750-
$3,570, while it is $5,858-$7,608 for a
locally owned server. On the other hand,
when he compared the cost for 10 TB
data storage between Amazon S3 and a
locally owned server, Amazon S3 is more
expensive at $16,800, while the local
storage only ranges from $11,212 to
$12,612. This illustrates the fact that
cloud computing may not be the best
solution in all circumstances. An
organization should conduct financial
analysis before committing.

Advantages of cloud computing

There are good reasons for the

growing popularity of cloud computing.
Cost is a major consideration in moving
Figure 2. Amazon EC2 HaaS pricing – example 1 towards cloud computing, especially for
business and industries that always look
out for reduction of operating expenses.
As Goldner (2011) writes:

Jeff Bezos of Amazon has repeatedly

spoken of the 70/30 rule. He states that it
can be demonstrated that businesses
which run applications spend 70% of
their time and money supporting the
infrastructure required to keep their
business going. This only leaves them
30% of time and money to work on
innovation and ways to improve and grow
their business.

IT staff or department is always a big

Figure 3. Amazon EC2 Haas pricing – example 2
part of academic libraries.
Libraries demonstrate an interesting
example regarding savings. Librarians
have traditionally depended heavily on
IT expertise to support technological
needs. If Jeff Bezo’s 70/30 rule applies to
libraries, then it is time that libraries
should pause and evaluate the situation
from a new perspective. Should libraries
join the bandwagon of cloud computing
and move into the cloud with the rest of
the world? At least cloud computing is an
option that libraries should investigate.
Other benefits of cloud computing
include agile updating. When a vendor
Services on 22 January 2012 (Amazon that mass storage in the cloud is more hosts an application, system updates are
Web Services, 2012). expensive in the long run than local supposed to take place seamlessly without
Often a user will buy HaaS for data storage, but HaaP is cheaper and can save scheduled downtime. The system in the
storage in the cloud. Amazon Web an organization money. He used Amazon cloud should always be up-to-date using
Services offers storage in the cloud EC2 in his comparison between two the latest software release. Other
called Simple Storage Service servers of similar configuration in attractions include zero initial
(Amazon S3). In 2010 Yan Han memory and capacity, one Amazon investment into hardware and reduction
compared cost of Amazon S3 with local EC2 and one locally owned. The total of system administration. Cloud
storage (Han, 2010). His conclusion is cost including electricity, hardware, computing may be also good for short

Library Hi Tech News Number 1 2012 5

term projects where users can concentrate United States takes the 32nd place most library systems will be delivered in
on the project rather than the set up the trophy in this contest, at 11.68 Mbps, the cloud in the future. For instance, in
technical infrastructure for support. followed closed by Canada” (Strukhoff, 2011 OCLC delivered its Web-Scale
2011). Lithuania (33.29 Mbps) and South Management Services, an ILS in the
Disadvantages of cloud computing Korea (28.63 Mbps) are the top runners, cloud. Ex Libris will release Alma in
followed by Sweden, Latvia, Romania, early 2012. It is a cloud-based ILS with a
As every coin has two sides, cloud The Netherlands, and Macau: discovery layer as its OPAC. Marshall
computing is no exception to this rule. Breeding in one of his latest articles listed
Even though computing is shifted into the Cloud computing had better pay attention some of the library cloud products
cloud, the cloud system administration to the state of the Internet especially as it including Koha, DuraSpace’s
will still encounter the same technical relates to speed. As the cloud expands so DuraCloud, Ex Libris’ Alma, OCLC’s
issues as in-house computing. Therefore, too will the demand for bandwidth and it Web-scale Management Services, Kuali
all the problems that one may face locally is becoming more apparent that if you are Foundation’s Kuali Open Library
may potentially still haunt cloud systems in Asia the cloud will be more accessible Environment, Serials Solutions’ Web-
to you than if you are in the U.S [. . .]
such as server downtime, performance scale Management Solution, and
(Craig, 2010).
issues, and internet service outage. Innovative Interfaces, Inc.’s Sierra
However, the biggest challenges for (Breeding, 2011). Koha is a cloud-based
More investigation is needed to verify
cloud computing are data security, ILS from its inception.
this concern. If the internet speed is a
internet bandwidth, and the control of The new generation of ILSs for the
problem as cloud computing increases,
the IT infrastructure that customers are cloud has many revolutionary features
it may present an obstacle to cloud
often reluctant to give up. that classic systems lack. The user
computing.
Data security is a challenge for cloud interface or OPAC of the new
In client/server computing,
computing customers. A Ponemon generation of ILS is often a discovery
customers have the total control of
Institute survey sponsored by CA tool with advanced characteristics of next
their software and hardware. The data
Technologies and released in April generation catalog (NGC). This includes
stays within the organization. In cloud
2011 revealed that data security was not features such as unified index for
computing, some of this control is
a major emphasis for most cloud searching or one stop searching, faceted
computing providers (Cloud Providers handed over to the cloud providers. navigation, enriched contents, and
Aren’t Much Concerned with Security, This is not acceptable psychologically linkage to social network sites. In
2011). The July/August 2011 issue of for many users. A transition of control contrast with classic ILS systems, the
Information Management journal also involves trust. Can users trust the access point to the new system is through
discussed the findings of the survey at cloud providers with confidential and a browser as thin client. Therefore, no
length. The survey polled 103 cloud sensitive data such as student and local client installation and maintenance
service providers in the USA and 24 in six faculty information including their is needed. Instead the staff modules are
European countries and found that most names, home and campus addresses, combined into one single login for all
cloud providers are not concerned with and cell phone numbers? Many are not library functions including acquisitions,
their customers’ data security. The cloud ready for the transition from client/ cataloging, and circulation. The unified
providers consider it their customers’ server to the cloud computing. It will acquisitions section in the new cloud-
responsibility to safeguard whatever data take time to make this transition. In based ILS is capable of handling digital
they store in the cloud. Data security has addition, outsourcing an organization’s and electronic resources as well as printed
not translated to a competitive edge for computing activities into the cloud may ones. Electronic license management is
most cloud providers. Rather their receive staff resistance simply because part of the unified acquisitions. There is
priority is to deliver the features that of job security. Data ownership may be no need for separate staff modules
their customers want such as low cost another issue. There are cases where (Stearns and Larson, 2011).
solutions and quick deployment. The customers may give up their right to The cloud-based new generation of
survey also revealed that all cloud data without fully knowing the ILS allows many libraries to share
providers are considering security implications when signing a service useful data. For instance, sharing of
enhancement as a project in the next contract. The last consideration is cloud full-text journal titles from electronic
two years (Cloud Providers Aren’t Much computing cost vs benefits as was databases. Many libraries subscribe to
Concerned with Security, 2011). detailed above. the same databases. In acquisitions
Internet bandwidth is another section, all the databases are listed in
consideration for successful cloud Cloud computing for libraries a pull down menu. A library can
computing which uses internet as the highlight a database for purchase and
primary channel for running applications Starting in 2011 more and more activate the journal list by clicking on a
and data transfer. Ookla, a Seattle-based library vendors began to deliver button. The MARC records for all the
company, measured raw internet speed integrated library systems (ILS) and journal titles of a database will
by nation during a 30 day period covering discovery tools as cloud solutions. automatically load into the discovery
all types of communication such as DSL, Many vendors offer options to host the layer or online catalog. The journal
cable, Wi-Fi, T1-3, and satellite classic ILS as cloud solution, while some titles in the discovery layer or online
connections. It ranked the countries are developing a new generation of ILS catalog will lead users to full text
based on their internet speed. “The especially for the cloud. It appears that because a link resolver is embedded

6 Library Hi Tech News Number 1 2012

into the new ILS. Once the library stops be necessary because wireless at: http://cloudcomputing.sys-con.com/node/
its subscription to the database, a click will never be fast enough for 1994660 (accessed 4 January 2012).
can deactivate the database and all the everything”. Wolf, R. “Cloud computing”, North
bibliographic records for journal titles Carolina Libraries, Vol. 68 No. 2, pp. 30-1,
will be erased from the OPAC. All Is it time we should change our mindset available at: http://athena.rider.edu:2928/
those can be done with a click. to accept new things? login.aspx?direct¼true&db¼ofm&AN¼503
As Resource Description and 002876 &site¼ehost-live (accessed 1
Access, our new cataloging rule, will REFERENCES January 2012).
replace AACR2 and be implemented in “Cloud Providers Aren’t Much Concerned
Amazon Web Services (2012), “Amazon
the future, the new cloud-based ILS will EC2 details: Amazon EC2 pricing”, with Security” (2011), Information
provide a unified approach to available at: http://aws.amazon.com/ec2/ Management Journal, Vol. 45 No. 4, p. 7,
bibliographic data. It will not only pricing/ (accessed 22 January 2012). available at: http://athena.rider.edu:2928/
include MARC, but also Semantic Web login.aspx?direct¼ true&db¼aph&AN¼669
compatible standards such as Dublin Breeding, M. (2011), “A cloudy forecast for
13228&site¼ehost-live (accessed 21 January
libraries”, Computers in Libraries, Vol. 31
Core, MODS, and more. A cataloger No. 7, pp. 32-4, available at: http://athena. 2012).
can choose what format he or she will rider.edu:2928/login.aspx?direct¼true&db
use in cataloging. ¼ aph&AN¼66913228&site¼ehost-live
(accessed 1 January 2012). FURTHER READING
Conclusion Nelson, M.R. (2009), “Building an open
Craig, D. (2010), “U.S. internet speeds may
not keep up with the cloud”, available at: cloud”, Science, No. 324, pp. 1656-7,
The advent of cloud computing www.constructioncloudcomputing.com/ available at: http://athena.rider.edu:2928/
offers opportunities for an 2010/12/23/u-s-internet-speeds-may-not- login.aspx?direct¼true&db¼rgm&AN¼
organization to evaluate its current keep-up-with-the-cloud/ (accessed 21 January 504298003&site¼ehost-live (accessed 1
practice and restructure its IT 2012). January 2012)
infrastructure. It is a new
Goldner, M. (2011), “Winds of change:
technological model to replace client/ libraries and cloud computing”, Multimedia
service computing. It started in the Information and Technology, Vol. 37 No. 3, ABOUT THE AUTHOR
business and industries several years pp. 24-8, available at: http://athena.rider. Dr Sharon Q. Yang has been working in
ago and the trend seems to grow edu:2928/login.aspx? direct¼true&db¼ the library automation field for 24 years.
stronger. More and more cloud ofm&AN¼525480681&site¼ehost-live She received her MS in 1988, Certificate
products are on the market and (accessed 1 January 2012).
for Advanced Librarianship in 1989 and
libraries are slowly feeling its impact. Han, Y. (2010), “On the clouds: a new way
Cloud computing gives both library Doctor of Library Science in 1997, all
of computing”, Information Technology and from the School of Library Service,
systems vendors and librarians an Libraries, Vol. 29 No. 2, pp. 87-92,
opportunity to examine the library Columbia University in New York City.
available at: http://athena.rider.edu:2928/
systems from a new perspective. It login.aspx?direct¼ true&db¼eft&AN¼502 While working on her doctoral degree,
gives rise to a totally new generation of 992329&site¼ehost-live (accessed 1 January she started working at Wagner College
ILSs with innovative features that have 2012). as Head of Technical Services/Systems
gone beyond our dream for the NGC. Moore, R.J. (2010), “The future of
in 1990. She acquired her computer
The new generation of cloud-based ILS information technology: or, how the next knowledge through experience at work
is here and more will be delivered into ten years will fundamentally change the role and by taking college classes and
the future. The classic ILSs are on of the K-12 CTO”, CoSN Compendium, attending workshops in computer
the way out. The new system is Vol. 8 No. 3, available at: http://tinyurl.com/ science. Now she works as Associate
revolutionary in many ways and will 28hzqcq (accessed 3 January 2011). Professor and Systems Librarian in the
change how we work and think. In an Murley, D. (2009), “Law libraries in the Moore Library, Rider University,
article on the future of information cloud”, Law Library Journal, Vol. 101 Lawrenceville, New Jersey, USA. She
technology, Moore (2010) talks about No. 2, pp. 249-54, available at: http://athena. has made numerous presentations at
what he considers as challenges: rider.edu:2928/login.aspx?direct¼true&db conferences, published many journal
¼ofm&AN¼502094152&site¼ehost-live articles and has been active serving on
.
Forget about IT as you know it (accessed 1 January 2012).
committees of such professional
today. Stearns, S. and Larson, J. (2011), “Ex Libris organizations as ALA/LITA, NJLA,
.
Get ready to outsource IT. Alma: doing it differently. . . doing it CRLA, CALA, and VALE.
.
Let go of the desire to control. better”, available at: https://exlibris.webex.
.
Embrace diversity in the IT com/exlibris/lsr.php?AT¼pb&SP¼EC&
environment. rID¼63649012&rKey¼6022f32e3683df13 Sharon Q. Yang (yangs@rider.edu)
.
Blow the lid off of storage limits. (accessed 4 January 2011). is based at Moore Library, Rider
.
Quit saying things like, “A wired Strukhoff, R. (2011), “Which nations have University, Lawrenceville, New Jersey,
network infrastructure will always the best relative internet speed?”, available USA.

Library Hi Tech News Number 1 2012 7