| News Letter | Careers | © 2011 Allied Soft LLC, All Rights Reserved Privacy Policy | Terms of Use Find us on : Facebook Twitter Youtube Cloud Computing | The new “buzzword” in IT Cloud Computing -Definition The term “Cloud ”in the IT industry refers to the Internet in general. Cloud Computing is defined as “an internet-based computing, whereby shared resources, software and information are provided to computers and other devices on-demand”. •In essence, it is the grouping of servers, known in the industry as server farms or data centers that provide functionalities beyond those of a single computer. The Cloud abstracts different infra-structure and services from different locations and vendors through one interface. •Clients can then subscribe to the specific services required on a pay-per-service scheme instead of investing in the hardware and applications required. •Although still in its infancy, Cloud Computing promises to shape the future of the industry, as evidenced by all large IT players such as Microsoft, IBM, Dell, Fujitsu and others. •The idea behind cloud computing has been around since the 1960s, yet Amazon was the pioneer in offering actual cloud computing infrastructure by providing Amazon Web services in 2006. “Cloud computing is the highest form of outsourcing” CEO of HiSoft, Chinese outsourcing firm Cloud application services or Software as a Service is growing at 17% annual rate1 What the Experts say “For the cloud, we're all in…about 75 percent of our folks are doing entirely cloud based or entirely cloud inspired, a year from now that will be 90 percent ” Steve Ballmer, Microsoft CEO, March 2010. •More recently in November 2010, IBM announced providing cloud computing functions for the USA federal government. •Google is developing Google Chrome, an Operating system such as windows, based on cloud computing infrastructure. Potential Application Business functions •Healthcare Services •Web Based Grocery •Television •Defense and national security By developing its cloud computing infrastructure, Allied Soft will be positioned to tap into a sizeable outsourcing market, especially in the SME segment Advantages of Cloud Computing: Reduce costs: as Capital investments are replaced by pay-for-service scheme Small and Medium enterprises can access cloud based services without incurring the capital costs required. Increased Storage IT Maintenance as software upgrades, troubleshooting, are the service provider responsibility. Mobility: information is accessed through the client by a small and inexpensive computer - from anywhere. Green IT - Environmentally sustainable computing or IT Another incentive to opt for cloud computing is that it is more environment friendly. Reducing the number of hardware components and replacing them with cloud computing systems reduces energy costs for running hardware and cooling, as well as reducing carbon dioxide emissions and conserving energy. Ideally, this can increase profit through tax incentives and carbon credits. In 2005, Allied Soft was engaged with Volvo IT in the first Cloud Computing Consortium in Egypt to develop an E-learning solution in Egypt Cloud Computing | Application in the Healthcare services Cloud Computing –application in Healthcare services The healthcare service industry is one of the areas where cloud computing has huge potential. Cloud based applications can be used to migrate e-mails, files and other medical records and applications into the internet, which in turn allows for seamless sharing of information across healthcare organizations. For small to medium clinics that can’t afford substantial IT investments nor the staff required to maintain it, cloud computing provides a cost effective alternative through a pay for service fee structure and minimal set up cost. Among the technology giants, Google developed “Google Health” and Microsoft developed “Health Vault”, both cloud based applications to provide Personal Health Records (“PHR”) services. Allied Soft plans to provide its first Cloud Computing services in the healthcare industry building on its extensive experience and existing relationships Business Opportunity in the USA -Healthcare BPO The healthcare industry provides sizeable opportunities for BPO services: •Six billion insurance claims are filed annually (500 million claims per month– a business of c. 1 trillion dollars). •Around 40% are filed electronically. •Medicare alone receives more than USD 500 million claims per year. •Healthcare providers spend an estimated USD 7 billion annually for submitting claims to carriers. •Insurance carriers spend approximately USD 19 billion annually to process the paper claims. •Average healthcare provider has more than USD 150,000 in outstanding accounts receivable. BPO in tele - medecine and insurance is among the fastest growing segments of BPO The marriage between cloud computing and the health care services industry provides ample opportunities for growth for a company with Allied Group’s precedent and management vision. Allied Soft