Definition of Cloud Computing

The NIST Definition of Cloud Computing
Cloud computing is a model for enabling ubiquitous, convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources (e.g., networks, servers, storage, applications, and services) that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort or service provider interaction. This cloud model is composed of five essential characteristics, three service models, and four deployment models.

Essential Characteristics:
On-demand self-service. A consumer can unilaterally provision computing capabilities, such as server time and network storage, as needed automatically without requiring human interaction with each service provider.
Broad network access. Capabilities are available over the network and accessed through standard mechanisms that promote use by heterogeneous thin or thick client platforms (e.g., mobile phones, tablets, laptops, and workstations).
Resource pooling. The provider’s computing resources are pooled to serve multiple consumers using a multi-tenant model, with different physical and virtual resources dynamically assigned and reassigned according to consumer demand. There is a sense of location independence in that the customer generally has no control or knowledge over the exact location of the provided resources but may be able to specify location at a higher level of abstraction (e.g., country, state, or datacenter). Examples of resources include storage, processing, memory, and network bandwidth.
Rapid elasticity. Capabilities can be elastically provisioned and released, in some cases automatically, to scale rapidly outward and inward commensurate with demand. To the consumer, the capabilities available for provisioning often appear to be unlimited and can be appropriated in any quantity at any time.
Measured service. Cloud systems automatically control and optimize resource use by leveraging a metering capability[1] at some level of abstraction appropriate to the type of service (e.g., storage, processing, bandwidth, and active user accounts). Resource usage can be monitored, controlled, and reported, providing transparency for both the provider and consumer of the utilized service.

Service Models:
Software as a Service (SaaS). The capability provided to the consumer is to use the provider’s applications running on a cloud infrastructure[2]. The applications are accessible from various client devices through either a thin client interface, such as a web browser (e.g., web-based email), or a program interface. The consumer does not manage or control the underlying cloud infrastructure including network, servers, operating systems, storage, or even individual application capabilities, with the possible exception of limited user-specific application configuration settings.
Platform as a Service (PaaS). The capability provided to the consumer is to deploy onto the cloud infrastructure consumer-created or acquired applications created using programming languages, libraries, services, and tools supported by the provider.[3] The consumer does not manage or control the underlying cloud infrastructure including network, servers, operating systems, or storage, but has control over the deployed applications and possibly configuration settings for the application-hosting environment.
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). The capability provided to the consumer is to provision processing, storage, networks, and other fundamental computing resources where the consumer is able to deploy and run arbitrary software, which can include operating systems and applications. The consumer does not manage or control the underlying cloud infrastructure but has control over operating systems, storage, and deployed applications; and possibly limited control of select networking components (e.g., host firewalls).

Deployment Models:
Private cloud. The cloud infrastructure is provisioned for exclusive use by a single organization comprising multiple consumers (e.g., business units). It may be owned, managed, and operated by the organization, a third party, or some combination of them, and it may exist on or off premises.
Community cloud. The cloud infrastructure is provisioned for exclusive use by a specific community of consumers from organizations that have shared concerns (e.g., mission, security requirements, policy, and compliance considerations). It may be owned, managed, and operated by one or more of the organizations in the community, a third party, or some combination of them, and it may exist on or off premises.
Public cloud. The cloud infrastructure is provisioned for open use by the general public. It may be owned, managed, and operated by a business, academic, or government organization, or some combination of them.  It exists on the premises of the cloud provider.
Hybrid cloud. The cloud infrastructure is a composition of two or more distinct cloud infrastructures (private, community, or public) that remain unique entities, but are bound together by standardized or proprietary technology that enables data and application portability (e.g., cloud bursting for load balancing between clouds).

[1] Typically this is done on a pay-per-use or charge-per-use basis.
[2] A cloud infrastructure is the collection of hardware and software that enables the five essential characteristics of cloud computing. The cloud infrastructure can be viewed as containing both a physical layer and an abstraction layer. The physical layer consists of the hardware resources that are necessary to support the cloud services being provided, and typically includes server, storage and network components. The abstraction layer consists of the software deployed across the physical layer, which manifests the essential cloud characteristics.  Conceptually the abstraction layer sits above the physical layer.
[3] This capability does not necessarily preclude the use of compatible programming languages, libraries, services, and tools from other sources.

CLOUD COST ESTIMATING

Ceasel is a true cloud construction cost estimating system.  In development for over 5 years, it currently has one (1) U.S. Patent and two (2) patents pending.  It is truly unique in terms of capability and performance.

Ceasel enables Owners, Contractors, and AEs to create, access, update and share information real-time from virtually any location.

The ability to scope, estimate, bid, authorize, and manage numerous renovation, repair, maintenance and new construction projects depends upon multi-discipline teams supporting one another with the necessary resources, independent of location.

While many organizations continue to struggle with dated software applications and cumbersome databases, and in-house IT resource struggle to patch legacy systems, the wave of distributed cloud computing is upon us all.

Traditional software is all but “dead”, while purpose-built cloud apps, just like your smartphone apps, that excel at their particular function are here to stay. These cloud apps will link to organizational clouds on both sides of the firewall.

Specific to cost estimating, spreadsheet as we know them will also be a thing of the past.   Cloud spreadsheet-like interfaces will be capable of dynamic hierarchy and maintaining and generating unlimited data sets “on-the-fly”, as well as maintaining a permanent history of all data and changes. Information will never be deleted.

Perhaps most importantly, information will be available in multiple formats including traditional MS Office Documents, PDF, image, video, and more.

Welcome to 4Clicks Ceasel Cloud Estimating.   Ceasel delivers unlimited computing power, performance, and all the security required through Microsoft Azure, and/or behind your firewall.

Ceasel – Patents Pending

 Collaboration Supported by Technology

Projects involve team members working out of different locations require a global file system.  Members need various read/write access to the files related to contracts, projects, estimates and more.  Changes are common and must be time stamped and permanently maintained.  Ceasel truly enhanced performance and productivity.   Your organization and its partners are provided with a unified storage solution, leverage cloud and local systems.  Scalability is automatic and required no direct client intervention.

Complete data protection and high performance storage is virtually assured via levels associated with the MIcrosoft Azure Cloud technology.

As all versions of contract, project, and estimate data are captured as “snapshots” and encrypted, and permanently stored, issues associated with cumbersome backups and traditional synchronization issues are eliminated.