Question 1

Consumerization of corporate technology stifles employee creativity.

Accepted Answer

Consumerization of corporate technology often enhances employee creativity by providing them with familiar, user-friendly tools that can foster innovation and streamline workflows.

Question 2

Firms that want significant control over the operating system and applications they put 'in the cloud' should choose an IaaS service over an SaaS offering.

Accepted Answer

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) allows firms to have full control over the operating system and applications, while Software as a Service (SaaS) only provides access to a pre-built software application. Therefore, firms wanting significant control should choose IaaS over SaaS.

Question 3

Define SaaS. How do firms using SaaS products lower several costs associated with their information systems?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Define SaaS. How do firms using SaaS...

Question 4

Which of the following is one of the characteristics of using software as a service model?

Accepted Answer

Scalable systems are a characteristic of using software as a service model, as the service provider can easily add or remove resources as needed to accommodate changes in user demand. The other options are not typically associated with using this model - deployment times tend to be shorter, operating expenses are typically variable, financial risk may be distributed differently, and maintenance costs are often lower as the service provider handles updates and maintenance.

Question 5

Products and services designed to target a specific industry are known as _____.

Accepted Answer

Products and services designed to target a specific industry are known as vertical niches.

Question 6

In _____, clients can select their own operating systems, development environments, underlying applications like databases, or other software packages, while the cloud firm usually manages the infrastructure.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In _____, clients can select their own...

Question 7

Installing a complex set of an organization's legacy systems on third-party hardware can be a brutal challenge. For that reason we can expect most cloud computing efforts to focus on:

Accepted Answer

Installing legacy systems on third-party hardware can be challenging and time-consuming. Therefore, it is more likely that organizations will focus their cloud computing efforts on new software development projects, as it allows them to take advantage of the benefits of cloud computing without the added complexity of legacy systems. Additionally, developing new software in the cloud can be faster, more cost-effective, and more scalable than traditional methods.

Question 8

Which of the following is one of the benefits enjoyed by SaaS vendors?

Accepted Answer

SaaS vendors benefit from lower distribution costs because they deliver software over the internet, eliminating the need for physical distribution.

Question 9

Many SaaS vendors have improved system customization options and integration with standard software packages.

Accepted Answer

Many SaaS vendors have recognized the importance of customization and integration, and have developed options to meet the needs of their customers.

Question 10

_____ is a term used to describe unpredictable, but highly impactful events.

Accepted Answer

"Black swans" is a term coined by author Nassim Nicholas Taleb to describe unpredictable but highly impactful events, named after the discovery of black swans in Australia which were previously thought to not exist. The term has since been used to describe events such as the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the 2008 financial crisis.

Question 11

Cloud vendors that hosting hardware, operating system, database, and other software, which clients can then use to build their own applications, are said to be providing:

Accepted Answer

The answer of Cloud vendors that hosting hardware, operating system,...

Question 12

SaaS offerings usually work well when the bulk of computing happens at the client end of a distributed system.

Accepted Answer

SaaS stands for Software as a Service, where the bulk of computing happens at the server end of a distributed system, and the software is accessed by clients over the internet.

Question 13

Employees, at their own initiative, can go to SocialText or Google Sites and set up a wiki, WordPress to start blogging, or subscribe to a SaaS offering like SalesForce.com, all without corporate oversight and approval. This _____ of technology is one of the challenges associated with the adoption of SaaS models.

Accepted Answer

The term "consumerization" refers to the trend of individuals independently adopting and using technology for personal or work-related purposes without the involvement or approval of corporate IT departments. This can create challenges for organizations that are trying to implement SaaS models, as individuals may adopt tools that are not fully compatible or integrated with the organization's overall technology environment.

Question 14

Vendors frequently sign _____ with their customers to ensure a guaranteed uptime and define their ability to meet demand spikes.

Accepted Answer

Service level agreements (SLAs) are agreements between vendors and customers that define the level of service that will be provided, including guarantees for uptime and response times. SLAs are a common way for vendors to ensure that they meet their customers' expectations and can handle demand spikes.

Question 15

The term _____ describes the use of cloud computing to provide excess capacity during periods of spiking demand.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The term _____ describes the use of...

Question 16

Cloud computing is not typically suited for situations:

Accepted Answer

Cloud computing may not be suited for situations where complex legacy systems have to be ported because it can be challenging and time-consuming to migrate these systems to the cloud. In such cases, it may be more practical to continue operating them on-premises or through other means.

Question 17

Which of the following is true of software as a service (SaaS)?

Accepted Answer

SaaS refers to software that is made available by a third-party online. This eliminates the need for firms to invest in expensive hardware and software infrastructure.

Question 18

What are benefits afforded to vendors by SaaS?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are benefits afforded to vendors by...

Question 19

What are the risks associated with software as a service?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are the risks associated with software...

Question 20

One of the risks associated with SaaS is the:

Accepted Answer

SaaS involves relying on a single vendor to provide and maintain the software, which can be a risk if the vendor experiences any issues or goes out of business. This can lead to disruptions in service and potential data loss.

Quiz 14: Software in Flux: Open Source, Cloud, Vittualized and App-Driven Shifts