Organisational Possibilities for a Public Administration Community Cloud
Konrad Walser and Olivier Brian Bern University of Applied Sciences, Switzerland konrad. walser @ bfh. ch olivier. brian @ bfh. ch
Abstract: Starting with the concept of cloud computing, it is interesting to consider the various characteristics, structures and conceptual bases which community clouds may assume in public administration. This article structures organisational variants with different advantages and disadvantages. The variants are as follows: broker model, open community model, consortial cloud organisation, cloud masterprovider, standard‐based cloud, non‐community cloud, community cloud based on minimum regulations and shared service cloud. The article substantiates, on the basis of balanced arguments, advantages and disadvantages of the different types for public administration. The article also clarifies which types of community cloud are of special interest for public administration.
Keywords: community cloud, cloud organisation models, public administration, e‐Government
1. Introduction
1.1 Presentation of the problem
Swiss e‐Government is facing important discussions around the issue of how e‐Government solutions should be operated, and what new organisational forms are required by an e‐Government that covers all federal levels( Fraefel et al. 2012). Such considerations are generally made by technophiles, and those working in administration find it particularly difficult to make rational decisions based on knowledge. It is therefore essential to have information in this context relating to considerations such as organisational forms of e‐Government and IT sourcing. Where possible, these considerations should be made from the perspective of the actual business the administrations undertake. A concept that is currently being widely discussed, and that will be addressed in this context, is that of cloud computing, for which e‐Government offers ideal cases for application. In Switzerland, for example, an identity and access management service is currently being operated from the cloud( Englert and Seeger 2011). Initial discussions around cloud computing in the area of administration, however, focus on areas of concern. Risks such as the loss of data sovereignty and provider independence are causing this new IT sourcing concept to be met with scepticism. Despite the various definitions of cloud computing, it is clear that a cloud solution is more than a web service or traditional type of outsourcing. According to the NIST definition( NIST 2011), it must be possible to call up a cloud solution via a network. The cloud solution must also enable resource pooling, be able to adapt flexibly to requirements, be offered as a measurable service and be billed according to usage. The objectives of cloud computing correspond to the current requirements of the business like cost savings, the ability to adapt quickly to the IT needs of the business, ongoing needs‐oriented and flexible availability etc. The fact that there is a high level of interest within the IT industry concerning the commercialisation of cloud offerings cannot be completely dismissed. Considerations about the introduction of cloud solutions from an administrative perspective include the following: the IT is not agile enough; it cannot meet the constantly, ever faster changing business requirements on time or in a flexible enough manner. It is not only the risks of this still new technology that must be considered when using cloud computing. There must also be an assessment of the risks, opportunities, costs and benefits. This article contains an analysis from the perspective of cloud use by authorities. The organisational units included in the considerations exist at various federal levels: federal government, states / cantons and municipalities / parishes. The article deals with the following question: how is it possible to operate a cloud service with a community organisation that is based on the authorities ' requirements? What are the specific features of a community cloud in the public sector? How and in what form( in terms of different cloud services) can( a) community cloud support public administration? Which reference and organisation models lend themselves to organising and operating a community cloud?
1.2 Objective
The community cloud concept is presented in this article. Which explains, in an organisational sense, how different cloud providers( service providers:( SP)) within a community cloud can organise themselves for their
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