Importance of cloud computing technology for Pakistan written by Dr Syed Mir Muhammad Shah drshah38@hotmail.com Cloud computing has brought a revolution in daily lives at homes and at work places, as the technology has made computer power available at affordable price. By the end of 2012 more than 80 percent of the new computer applications will be on cloud computing platforms. As more and more routine activities are automated, the role of information and communication technology (ICT), for each one of us has become basic and essential service required frequently in our everyday life. Computing therefore has to assume the role of fifth utility along with other four essential utilities: water, electricity, gas and telephone. Cloud computing technology will serve as an engine to accomplish this vision. Through cloud computing, everyone is expected to acquire convenient computer related services, like other four utilities without regard to getting involved into technical and operational details as to how the service is produced and delivered. In order to support expected unprecedented computer related demand worldwide, big names in the industry including IBM, Amazon, Microsoft, Google, Cisco, and Sun have already started establishing Cloud Computing technology based infrastructures for their own internal use as well as for offering services to other organizations. Data centers of most of the mega applications are architecture on cloud computing technology including, E mail service providers (Hotmail/Yahoo/Gmail about 1 Billion users), Social networking sites (Face book used by more than 900 Million people, Twitter used by about 500 Million), Video sharing websites (YouTube about 4 billion videos seen daily), search engines (Google has about 3 billion searches every day) and On line shopping sites (e Bay has 14 Million users). In order to fully exploit benefits of cloud computing technology, various countries have taken initiatives to ensure that effective usage of the technology is made for economic prosperity and for providing better social services to its citizens. US federal Government has developed Federal Cloud Computing Strategy and has asked its various federal and state units to make sure that all their automation policies are consistent with those detailed in the strategy paper. The European commission recently organized a broad based conference entitled The 2012 European cloud computing conference in Brussels in order to frame guidelines for member state to exploit economic benefit of cloud computing technology. India, through an event Government Cloud Forum India 2011, brought various agencies in federal and local governments as well as leading industry experts to chart future of Government cloud in India. The Ministry of science and technology government of China in March 2012 announced a plan entitled Cloud Computing and insisted various sectors of governments and economy to ensure that cloud computing technology should assume a pivotal role. As per policy decision within
context of Prime Minister Putin s modernization and innovation agenda, cloud computing in Russia could become top notch technology. Australia has released its cloud computing policy through a strategic direction paper in April 2011 with an intention of enabling various Australian government agencies to gain potential benefits of cloud computing. It is very unfortunate to note that usage of Information and Communication technology (ICT) is still in the primitive stages in Pakistan. Most of the activities critical to basic civic services have still not been computerized; as a result information of public importance is not being shared with all stakeholders. As per Global Information Technology Report (GITR) of the World Economic Forum (WIF), as a result of non seriousness, the position of Pakistan as a user of computer and communication technology in basic services including, health, education, financial services, instead of increasing has dropped from position 36 to position 79 in the world. Those public services which are automated have not been able to create the desired impact on the lives of Pakistani citizens. Long queues are still observed at public offices and a common man is required to wait for an unreasonable amount of time to acquire basic services. Although, National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), has registered more than 96 percent of population in Pakistan but processing of information through computer system at NADRA outlets and Passport offices is too slow, as those services which should be ideally provided on the same day basis take several days. The working of those revenue collection departments which are critical to the economy of the country (Excise, Income Tax, and Customs) is neither facilitating the tax payer nor helping government to collect appropriate amount of revenues. Tax to GDP ratios is the lowest in Pakistan and in fact it is at the same level as that of Ethiopia and Afghanistan. Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) since several years is not been able to meet revenue collection targets. According to President of Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), current computer system of customs department entitled Pakistan Automated Customs Computerized System (PACCS)), due to its inefficiency, is hurting the business community as well as affecting tax collection initiatives of the government. Indeed, same is the case with the computerization of income tax department, where the working is still non transparent. The department does neither automatically provide assessment of tax returns at the end of the financial year, nor disburse due amount of refunds to tax payers (whenever applicable). Indeed, it is difficult to get due refund amount even after claim is lodged with the tax department. As Land revenue record is still mostly manual, cases of corruption, frauds and public inconvenience are progressively on increase in the country. In view of the alarming situation, the supreme court of Pakistan, in the public interest, took suo motu action (June 30, 2012) and directed all the provinces to computerize land records within three months. Record of essential agencies responsible for providing justice, security, and safety to the public is not fully computerized and information is not shared with the public. It is therefore difficult to get required copy of either any of the FIR from police or a copy of any judgment from courts conveniently. Unfortunately most of educational institutions in Pakistan, including universities, still follow conventional methods of teaching, examination and administration. Rather than using modern
cost effective tools and technologies they are spending heavily to operate outdated systems even in the face of present tight financial budgets. Carrying out of day to day routine functions manually takes most of the time of university academic staff; they are therefore not able to concentrate and focus on core activities of teaching and research. Current administrative crisis in the universities is mostly as a result of outdated teaching, non transparent examination and inefficient legacy administrative systems. Pakistan lacks an effective information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure in the healthcare sector. As system being manual at most places, government outpatient s centers are overcrowded, patient care within hospital is far from satisfactory, and medicines purchased by the hospitals do not reach to the patients. In order to survive and compete in the world markets, Pakistani businesses have to modernize their systems and make their operation compatible with the industry systems. Most of the leading companies now deal only with those businesses that have compatible computer systems so that they are able to exchange information on line electronically. Continuity and availability of those computer systems which provide real time on line services to the public is essential. Unfortunately, in Pakistan, most of the organizations that provide such services do not posses appropriate backup systems to ensure continuity of their computer applications. Although, as per State of Pakistan 93 percent bank branches in Pakistan are offering on line banking services (As per quarterly report of State Bank for 2012), but frequency of breakdowns in the computer systems of most of the commercial banks, is over and above the acceptable level, at times public is required to wait to get service for several hours. Based upon the discussions, as mentioned above, it is evident, in case Pakistan wants to survive as a respectable nation in the world, the country is required to redouble its efforts, jump start and leap forward in usage of computer and communication technology. Under the circumstances, the cloud computing seems to be most suitable solution for Pakistan which may address most of the issues. The technology may provide immediate and more affordable computing power as well as access to next generation productive tools, technologies and infrastructure to speed up the process of development of new computer software applications and improvements of existing systems. Cloud computing, besides being cost effective, does not involve any initial capital cost and users will have to pay only for the services used. Through virtualization technology, utilization of resources in cloud computing is maximized as they are shared amongst several users but each user feels as getting dedicated and exclusive service.there are no limitations on the amount of resources to be used in the cloud computing environment and the vendors guarantee to meet computing demands of users at all times. The technology of cloud computing is especially useful for mobile workers as it allows remote access. It also provides convenience of access to companies having more than one geographical location, including multinational companies. Cloud computing infrastructure provides identical opportunities to small and big businesses and make possible for emerging economies, underdeveloped countries and remote areas to make use of the same technologies
as those used by developed countries at an affordable price. Access to cloud computing infrastructures can be made through very cheap dumb terminals as well as already available workstations/personal computers, laptops, tablets and smart phones which make cloud computing very economical and convenient. The cloud computing technology makes computing service more user friendly as it hides complexities of management of infrastructure from user. Continuity and availability of services to users through cloud computing is ensured at all times as data is replicated between more than one geographically scattered interconnected data centers; in case of failure of primary source, backup source takes over. Public cloud computing vendors provide enough safeguards to the data of users and ensure integrity and security of information. Individuals, small and medium businesses as well as large corporation and government agencies may use cloud computing services. Personal computer users may instantly get connected to the facilities and can migrate; files, databases, programs and documents to any of the public cloud. User will be able to access his files as well as other host of applications offered by the vendor, anywhere, from office, home or while travelling (anywhere at any time), through any of the device including Dumb terminal, Desktop, laptop, tablet and Smartphone at a very nominal price (about USD 10 Dollars per month). Likewise, those Small and medium enterprises with any number of computer users (client server model) can also use these services on the pay as you use basis. For those corporations who operate large data centers equipped with main frames can use the cloud computing services Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). Pakistan, like several other countries of the world should carefully evaluate how to adopt cloud computing and formulate its cloud computing strategy by involving highly experienced IT experts belonging to, government central and provincial sectors, autonomous bodies, universities, private business and industrial sectors, software companies and computer vendors. In order to facilitate the usage of computing as a fifth utility, along with water, electricity and gas, the government may offer incentives to organizations and leading international cloud computing companies to provide their services in the country and set up necessary infrastructure in Pakistan. The government may initially subsidies the usage of cloud computing services in the country till the time its benefits are widely known. It is also important to device special programs to provide know how about cloud computing. There are currently several scattered Data centers both under direct and indirect control of the government. Running of a Data centre with conventional technology in a country like Pakistan is both inefficient and expensive. Hardware resources in the conventional technology do not get fully utilized and involves very high cost of operations due to unreliable and unstable electric supply system, high cost of fuel to run standby power generating units, and very costly engineering maintenance of computer equipments. Government is required to stop purchase of new computer hardware equipment and setting up of additional Data centers until the time it has developed its cloud computing strategy. Available computer equipment may be consolidated in order to save the investment already made. Through usage of virtual technology, several private cloud computing centers may be established. These setups may be used as Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) by one or more than one organizations to load and execute
their computer applications. These centers may be interlinked to form a network of clouds ( Pakistan Cloud ). It will be necessary for the government to link its cloud with suitable outside private cloud through Hybrid cloud computing technology. Resources of outside clouds may be used whenever additional computing resources are needed and the service may also be used for backup purposes. The main reason behind late delivery of ID cards and Passport may be due to constraints on availability of computing resources. As through usage of cloud computing technology, resources required for processing will be made available as per demand, not only back log may be cleared but academically it is possible to bring these public services to same day service. Cloud Computing provides platform, Platform as a Service (PaaS), through which computer software may be developed with convenience and speed. Revenue collection departments especially customs and income tax may use these services to develop new systems and improve their existing legacy computer systems. Those departments responsible for computerization of land records may also use suitable cloud computing services. Universities in Pakistan should take initiatives to use cloud computing for modernization of their working. The cloud technology will facilitate universities to collaborate and share resources on teaching, and research with other world universities. Classrooms should be equipped with smart white boards, cameras, audio and video system installed to record lectures, in order to provide distant learning facility to those large segments of students who cannot make themselves physically available to attend lectures. Through usage of cloud computing services, internet and social Medias (Twitter/Face book) should be made, through which students will be able to maintain close communications and share knowledge related to their courses with fellow students as well as with teachers.. Universities may use free of cost cloud computing based facility offered by Leading technology leaders, Google and IBM to use their very efficient tools and technologies for training of very skilled next generation computer programmers. In the face of tighter budgets university should automate administrative activities to save operational costs. For transparency, examination system should be automated. Universities should stop construction of additional classrooms or libraries and should divert the resources in development of state of the art class rooms and digital libraries and in establishing internet infrastructure. Through usage of cloud computing service, Software as a Service (SaaS), health care units may be automated. Savings achieved through efficiency and control of leakages will be far more than the costs incurred on the usage of services of cloud computing technology. Regularity bodies, responsible for health sector may motivate private hospitals, laborites and other related units to use computerized their operations. At least high profile consultants and medical practitioners should be asked to handle records of their patients only electronically. Cloud computing technology has provided a level playing field to all businesses. Even a small business can now afford to computerize its working, develop websites and make its system compatible so that it can exchange information with other businesses worldwide. Through usage of facility Software as a Service (SaaS), offered by various cloud computing
companies, businesses are now able to even use those computer applications which involve high licensing cost and costly infrastructure to operate. Organizations in the private sector, such as banks, should consider usage of cloud computing technology so that public gets smooth and uninterrupted services at bank branches. In case, they still want to continue to use their own conventional Data centers, they should at least consider, using services of suitable cloud computing vendor as a backup service to ensure availability and continuity of their services to their customers. Some of the leading organizations in Pakistan including, State Bank of Pakistan, Pakistan State Oil (PSO), Pakistan Petroleum of Pakistan (PPL), are using those applications (such as SAP and ORACLE), which involve very high cost of licensing. They can reduce their costs drastically, if they, like other worldwide enterprises migrate to cloud computing technology and use Software as a Services (SaaS). Besides being economical these services of cloud computing will be efficient and will ensure continuity of services and grantees security of data.