Michael Yoo, Vivian Mante, Margaret Lee, Raven Moore
Decision Analysis
Project 1
Objective
The purpose of this paper is to analyze three different Cloud systems, in order to
determine which out of the three will best suit the needs of our company. It compares the
advantages and disadvantages of each Cloud system through their features, quality levels, and
relative costs.
Introduction
Cloud computing has become a popular tool for individuals to access information in
different locations. The term “cloud” refers to the internet and the cloud process enables storing
information and accessing data over the internet, without the use of a hard drive. On one end, it
gives the user access to a cloud server; on the opposite end, it comprises the system of computers
that act as storage devices that are connected to each other through the network and with the use
of Middleware, which allows them to communicate information. Cloud computing reduces the
use of hardware and software requirements and provides an easier and convenient method for file
sharing and information accessibility.
Scope
The scope of this document is to evaluate Dropbox, Google, and Prezi to ensure which
vendor is the best to subscribe to the cloud system. This document provides a detailed decision
analysis that offers the necessary information for decision makers to choose the best subscriber
for the cloud system.
Background
Belkin is a networking company that is currently looking for a cloud computing service
for its information technology department. Currently, Belkin has no cloud computing service, but
it has narrowed its choices to the following: Dropbox, Google, and Prezi. Belkin is using the
program Logical Decisions for Windows (LDW) to help it in its decision. The purpose of LDW
is to analyze information in order to choose the best decision and provide feedback .We selected
the following attributes to evaluate relative performance among three potential solution options.
Analysis
The primary goal is to select which cloud system would be the best option. In doing so,
three alternatives were chosen: Google, DropBox, and Prezi. Each of these cloud systems were
compared between their costs and benefits, with the criteria that was given.
In the selection process, two main sub goals were created, a “Benefits” sub-goal and a “Costs”
sub-goal. The main function of these sub-goals was to maximize the benefits and minimize costs
for the user.
These sub-goals were further defined by having their own sub-goals with added measures. The
“Benefits” sub-goal contained 3 additional sub goals, Performance, Security, and Storage, while
the “Costs” sub-goal contained the sub goal Fees. Each of these sub goals were measured by:
Benefits:

Performance- Measured by Bandwidth (calculated in mph) and Speed (calculated in
mbps)


Security- Measured by Privacy (calculated in No, Low, Average, High labels) and
Firewalls (calculated by three different types of Firewalls: ASA5510/Fortinet, NetScreen100, and Untangle labels)
Storage- Measured by Information Sharing (calculated in Low-High labels), and Memory
Size (calculated in Terabytes (TB))
Costs:

Fees: Measured in Renewal Fees and System Upgrades (calculated in dollars $)
In the table below, values were added in based on the research performed for each cloud system:
From this data, “Most Preferred” ranges and “Least Preferred” ranges were entered and
calculated for scaled values (excludes labels: Firewalls, Security, Storage, Privacy). These
ranges included:
Bandwidth
Speed
Memory Size
Renewal Fees
System Upgrades
Most Preferred
60mph
100mbps
30 Terabytes
100$
75$
Least Preferred
20mph
10mbps
10 Terabytes
300$
150$
Once preferences were set, using the Direct Assessment tool (Common Units), a utility rating
was entered for each measure and ranked each cloud system on a scale from 0 to 1 in each subgoal.
Prezi
DropBox
Bandwidth
Speed
Memory Size
Renewal Fees
System Upgrades
0.2 Utility
0.4 Utility
Privacy
High
Medium
Low
No
Utility
0.1
0.3
1
1
Information
Sharing
1 High
0.5 Average
0.3 Low
0
0.5
0.5
0.5
0.6
Google
1.0
Utility
1
1
0.1
1
Utility
1
0.5
0
Firewalls
Utility
NetScreen-100
1
ASA5510/Fortinet
0.7
Untangle
0.2
In addition, weights were applied and a number of tradeoffs were measured:

Connection Speed vs. Bandwidth

Connection Speed vs. Information Sharing

Connection Speed vs. Memory Size

Privacy vs. Firewalls
In conclusion, the LDW ranked the three alternatives in the following order:
Ranking for Best Cloud Computing Service Goal
Alternative
Utility
Google
DropBox
Prezi
0.837
0.418
0.362
Benefits
Costs
Ranking for Benefits
Alternative
Utility
Google
DropBox
Prezi
1.000
0.457
0.150
Storage
Security
Performance
Ranking for Costs Goal
Alternative
Utility
Prezi
Google
DropBox
1.000
0.350
0.300
Fees
Preference Set = NEW PREF. SET
The model suggests that Google would be the best option in selecting a cloud system. Google
has the highest utility rating of .837, following DropBox (.418) and then Prezi (.362). In
addition, it outperforms both DropBox and Prezi by greatly maximizing the benefits more so
than the other two. While Prezi is the cheapest option and Google is the most expensive, the
benefits Prezi provides was given a 0.150 utility rating, compared to Google’s 1.0 utility rating.
From the LDW analysis, it is clear that not only is Google the best alternative, but it also leads in
all the specified measures.