As we have noted on a variety of occasions, it usually takes technology to manage technology. This is particularly true in the area of evaluating the capacity of information technologies to meet the demands placed upon them. The Case for this module looks at some aspects of this problem. Read this information on capacity planning: TeamQuest (2010) How to do capacity planning, Retrieved from http://www.teamquest.com/import/pdfs/whitepaper/tqwp23.pdf Franklin (2011) IOPS: Performance Capacity Planning Explained. Synology. Retrieved Nov. 8, 2010, from http://blog.synology.com/blog/?p=146 But along with everything else in information technology, things are getting more and more complicated by the transfer of computing resources into “the cloud”—the online world where you don’t own your computing environment but simply inhabit it for a while. Here’s a recent take on that issue: Golden, B. (2011) Cloud makes Capacity Planning Harder—3 Fight-Back Tips. CIO Magazine. Retrieved December 4, 2011, from http://www.cio.com/article/654471/Cloud_Makes_Capacity_Planning_Harder_3_Fight_Back_Tips After reading these articles and reviewing other information from the Background and other sources, prepare a 3- to 5-page paper on the following topic: Does a company need computer capacity evaluation when its computing power has been transferred to cloud-based systems?

In recent years, the transfer of computing resources to cloud-based systems has become increasingly prevalent. Companies are now able to outsource their computing needs to cloud service providers, which offer scalable and flexible solutions for managing data and applications. As a result, companies no longer need to maintain their own physical servers and infrastructure. This shift towards cloud computing has raised a fundamental question: does a company still need to evaluate its computer capacity when its computing power has been transferred to the cloud?

To answer this question, it is important to understand the concept of computer capacity evaluation. Capacity planning refers to the process of determining the computing resources required to meet the demands placed upon an information technology system. This involves analyzing factors such as processing power, memory, storage, and network bandwidth to ensure that the system can handle the workload efficiently and effectively.

In the traditional on-premises computing model, companies typically invest in hardware and software based on their projected needs and growth patterns. Capacity evaluation is an essential part of this process as it helps companies determine the appropriate amount of resources to allocate. This ensures that the system is neither underutilized nor overloaded, optimizing performance and minimizing costs.

However, with the advent of cloud computing, the responsibility for managing and allocating computing resources has shifted to the cloud service provider. Cloud providers offer a range of service models, including Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS). In these models, the provider is responsible for maintaining the underlying hardware and infrastructure, as well as managing the allocation of computing resources to different customers.

On the surface, it may seem that capacity evaluation is no longer necessary for companies using cloud-based systems. After all, the cloud provider is responsible for managing the capacity of their infrastructure. However, this oversimplified view neglects several important factors.

Firstly, while the cloud provider handles the infrastructure, companies still need to assess their own requirements and ensure that the cloud service they choose is capable of meeting those needs. This involves understanding the workload patterns, data storage requirements, and performance expectations of the company’s applications and services. Capacity evaluation can help companies select the appropriate cloud provider and service model based on their specific needs.

Secondly, even though the cloud provider manages the underlying infrastructure, companies are still responsible for managing their own applications and services. This includes monitoring performance, optimizing resource usage, and ensuring that the system can scale to handle increased demand. Capacity evaluation becomes crucial in understanding how the company’s applications and services will perform in the cloud environment and identifying potential bottlenecks or performance issues.

Lastly, capacity evaluation in the context of cloud computing goes beyond simply assessing computing resources; it also involves evaluating the financial aspects of cloud adoption. Companies need to understand the cost implications of using cloud services and determine whether it is more cost-effective to continue with on-premises infrastructure or transfer their computing power to the cloud. Capacity evaluation can provide insights into the cost patterns and help companies make informed decisions regarding their IT strategy.

In conclusion, while the transfer of computing power to cloud-based systems may shift the responsibility for managing infrastructure to the cloud provider, companies still need to evaluate their computer capacity. Capacity evaluation helps companies understand their own requirements, select the appropriate cloud service, manage their applications and services effectively, and make informed decisions regarding their IT strategy. Thus, capacity evaluation remains essential even in a cloud computing environment.