Cloud computing opportunities and risks

A major UK manufacturing company employs you as a new business analyst in the

accounting department. The Head of Finance has asked you to prepare a 2000 word report to

discuss and evaluate a particular trend in IT and how it would affect the business operations

of the company.

Required

1.A critical (i.e., non-biased) description of a particular trend in IT. To ensure that the

company fully understands all of the issues, the Head of Finance has asked that you

clearly explain the trend, drawing attention to the underlying information technology

and the contexts in which it typically manifests itself.

2. A discussion of the opportunities of this IT trend for companies in the UK and

manufacturing companies in particular. You are requested to consider both the

external business environment and as well as the potential impact on the company’s

internal processes.

3. A discussion of the potential risks involved regarding this trend, for example, with

regard to its implementation in the company. Please include an assessment of how

real these risks would be for a typical UK company.

4. The report should conclude with a thoughtful assessment of the future of this trend.

You are asked to consider the impact of the trend on accounting and finance in

particular. It should balance the opportunities against the risks, and should end with a

summary evaluation.