INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE OF MALAYSIAN ASSURANCE ALLIANCE BERHAD THE ISSUES AND CHALLENGES, CLOUD COMPUTING AND ITS

BUSINESS BENEFITS AND COST

Submitted on: 30th September 2011 Prepared by: Qusai AbdAlla Al-Meqbeli Word count: 5116

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LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
Meqbeli Consultants B1 Lagoon Perdana Bandar Sunway, PJ Selangor, 46150 3 October 2011

Mr. Siw Van Desul CEO Malaysian Assurance Alliance Berhad B3 Edward Avenue Petaling Jaya, 44500

Dear Mr. Siw, I hope you are doing well. Further to your request of 29 July, I hereby attach our report of Malaysian Alliance Assurance Berhads (MAAB) IT infrastructure, the issues and challenges and cloud computing, its business benefits and cost. The report provides detailed information about the IT infrastructure ecosystem of MAAB, and discusses the issues and challenges they encountered, whether it were resolved, or a solution needed. It then provides you with an overview of what are cloud computing, the types and layers of it. It also talks about its business benefits and issues, the cost of implementing cloud computing and the current trends. Our analyses suggest that there are some good benefits to MAAB which could result in a great saving in the short and long term by introducing cloud computing to the operation of MAAB. We have proposed more than an option for your consideration and evaluation in order to obtain the best results. Each option gives MAAB the ability to control the cost while enjoying the features of cloud computing. We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for affording us the chance to work with you in this project. I will be more than glad to discuss any questions you may have at our meetings next week.

Yours sincerely, Qusai Al-Meqbeli -Director

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
As Malaysian Alliance Assurance Berhad (MAAB) is one of the leading insurance providers in Malaysia, and it was acquired by Zurich Financial Services Group (ZFSG), it needs to maintain its position or elevate in the Malaysian Insurance Industry. While information technology is an essential part of any organization, the need to cope with the ever changing technology is an ongoing process and out of the question in order to compete and attract more business. MAAB has already recognized the strategic role of information technology in the operation process and has already allocated a budget to update the outdated servers to new ones with more powerful and a better performance, this has enabled MAAB to run mission critical insurance applications, in the same time connect all branches, and their general insurance agents into a single seamless network. In the same time it has invested in the Electronic Personal Lines System that allows MAAB to issue most of the insurance policies in considerable less time. Cloud computing is a new approach for information technology whether it is Infrastructure as a Service, Software as a Service or Platform as a Service, it gives the user a substantial saving, reduces infrastructure risk, lower cost of entry, reduce run and response time and enhance innovation in the short and long term, never the less cloud computing needs to be managed the proper way, the security aspects need to be handled with care to avoid liabilities in the same time comply with cloud governance and standards. Cloud computing can be three model a public cloud which runs by third parties and sells services to anyone on the internet, a private cloud which is an exclusive network that supplies services specific people, a hybrid cloud which is a combination of both private and public cloud, this model allows you to control the distribution of application within the public and private cloud. As MAAGNET Systems Sdn Bhd is a subsidiary operating under MAAB and provides the IT consultation and services there are 3 options for cloud computing. Continuing this subsidiary and injecting money into it to make it a private cloud that could continue to service MAAB as well as MAA group, this to achieve maximum security and derive extra income. Go for a hybrid cloud, where critical data could be saved in the private cloud while the day to day applications could be handled through the public cloud. Dispose of MAAB, and go for a public could, the issue of security can be managed through The use of cryptography to ensure privacy of data, where the information takes two forms unintelligible during the process and intelligible at each destination Taking the second choice and In order to facilitate communication and collaboration between ZFSG and MAAB, the consideration of Microsoft Office SharePoint Online (SaaS) should be taken, Aviva has implemented the system and it has been a successful choice.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS Letter of Transmittal Executive Summary

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Page 2 3 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 8 8 8 8 8 8 9 9 9 9 9 10 10 10 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 12 12 12 12 12 13

Introduction 1.1 Industry Background and History 1.2 Company Background 1.3 Vision Statement 1.5 Mission Statement 1.6 Corporate Statement 1.7 Business Strategy

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Infrastructure: Issues and Challenges 8 2.1 The IT Infrastructure Ecosystem 2.1.1 Computer Hardware Platforms 2.1.2 Operation System Platforms 2.1.3 Enterprise Software Application 2.1.4 Data Management and Storage 2.1.5 Networking/Telecommunication Platforms 2.1.6 Internet Platforms 2.1.7 Consulting and System Integration Services 2.2 Issues and Challenges 2.2.1 Feasibility 2.2.3 Security 2.2.4 Capacity 2.2.5 Online System 2.3 Strategic Role of IT 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Types of Cloud Computing Public Cloud Private Cloud Hybrid Cloud 3.3 Layers of Cloud Computing Infrastructure as a Service Software as a Service Platform as a Service 3.4 Business Benefits 3.5 Issues 3.6 Cost 3.7 Current Trends

30 Cloud computing and its business benefits and costs

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Recommendation of cloud computing adoption 14 4.1 Market Demand 14 4.2 Business Strategy 14 4.3 Information Technology Strategy, Infrastructure and Cost Table 1 TCO 14 4.4 Information Technology Assessment 14

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4.5 Competitor Firm Services 4.6 Competitor Firm Infrastructure Investment 4.7 Recommendation
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14 15 15 16 17 18

Conclusion

List of References List of Bibliography Appendices List of Figures Journal

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1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Industry Background According to International Insurance News Malaysias economy grew 7.2 percent last year, the highest rate experienced since the year 2000. The Malaysian government has aggressively pursued substantial investment programs with the explicit goals of doubling GDP per-capita and turning Malaysia into a high income country by 2020. New parliamentary initiatives and the Tenth Malaysian Plan will, according to industry analysts, lead to a growth in demand for insurance products and services (International InsuranceNews,2011, para. 2). According to Malaysian Rating Corporation Berhad Malaysias general insurance industry, unlike its peers in the developed world, was mostly shielded from the direct effects of the global financial crisis. However, its performance during 2009 was affected by the slowdown in the real economy and volatilities in the domestic financial market (TheGeneralInsuranceIndustryofMalaysia:PerformanceandProspective, 2010, para. 1). 1.2 Company Background Malaysian Alliance Assurance Berhad (MAAB) which was a subsidiary of MAA Holdings Bhd, provides life insurance and all classes of general business insurance. It was incorporated on September 1968, and in December 1970 it was a public-listed company. It has over 70 branches across Malaysia and over 3000 agents. Their market share in terms of motor policy is over 65 % and in terms of general insurances is within 4 % of the sector. On June 2011 Zurich Financial Services Group (ZFSG) announced their acquisition of 100% of the share capital of Malaysian Assurance Alliance Berhad (MAAB) by its subsidiary Zurich Insurance Company Ltd, the agreement has been signed for a purchase price of approximately USD 115 million and plan to make injection of up to USD 172 million (ZurichFinancialServices Ltd., 2011). 1.3 Vision Statement Every Malaysian to be financially covered by MAA (MAAB, 2008). 1.4 Mission Statement Life Insurance, Sustaining the no. 1 Life Insurance Company term of new business(MAAB, 2008). General Insurance, to be market leader in General Insurance Industry (MAAB, 2008). 1.5 Corporate Mission. To be the no. 1 Insurance Company in Malaysia in the near future (MAAB, 2008). 1.6 Business Strategy

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MAABs business strategy is to constantly set new standards for operating efficiency and product innovation which will deliver peace of mind for customers by introducing products to help preserve, grow and protect the wealth that theyve been building, supported by fast, personal and reliable service (MAAB, 2008). For the agents, it is their goal to deliver a true partnership that recognizes the special and important role in providing an invaluable professional service to their policyholders and at the same time, the long term commitment to earning their business and are constantly striving to improve their services to further enhance the partnership (MAAB, 2008). Information Technology is essential for the company as it helps run the company smoothly, they have recognize its important rule and in constant search for new systems and updates. MAABs website is: www.maa.com.my

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2. IT INFRASTRUCTURES: ISSUES AND CHALLENGES

2.1 The IT Infrastructure Ecosystem MAAGNET Systems Sdn Bhd is a subsidiary operation under MAAB and that provides information technology consultancy and services to all companies within the MAA group. It was incorporated in 2001 as a step to solve the problem with IT divisions need, issues came a long and wasted time among divisions. 2.1.1 Computer Hardware Platforms MAAB uses two servers the Sun Fire 6800 and SPARC Enterprise M4000 from Sun Microsystem for its application and data. Sun Fire 6800 is for data warehousing, data mining, server consolidation, and other mission-critical data center applications, and a variety of mainframe-class availability features, such as Dynamic Reconfiguration, online upgrades, concurrent maintenance, and auto diagnosis and recovery help provide maximum uptime. With Solaris Resource Manager Software and Dynamic System Domains, the server accommodates changing resource requirements across multiple applications (Spectra, 2011, para. 1). SPARC Enterprise M4000 boasts reliability, flexibility, and binary, combining the power of Oracle Solaris operating system with mainframe RAS features. Built on the latest and most advanced SPARC64VII/VII+ quad-core or SPARC64 VI dualcore processors, it delivers enterprise-class service levels for essential business applications, databases, and smaller consolidation projects (Oracle, 2011, para. 1). 2.1.2 Operating System Platforms MAAB is centrally operated, using a combination of Windows and UNIX to run the business smoothly. Majority are Windows operation systems for typical day to day application because of its ease of use and familiarity with any ordinary person, while the core application left for UNIX operation system. 2.1.3 Enterprise Software Application MAAB uses Oracle for its enterprise application, because of its good reputation and its compatibility with many operation systems.

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2.1.4 Data Management and Storage MAAB uses Universe U2 database for its core application which runs and in compatible with UNIX while using Microsoft NET framework with SQL database for its supplementary application which runs on Windows. 2.1.5 Networking/Telecommunication Platforms MAAB is using Wide Area Network which is connected to an IP Virtual Private Network and the Multiprotocol Label Switching. These provide private network services over a public infrastructure in the same time it increase the performance of label switching to move packets between any locations. For that it uses Microsoft Windows Server.

2.1.6 Internet Platforms MAAB provides an internet services portal for agents and policy holders and to ensure there is no lost or breakdowns during the services it has engaged with three internet service providers in case of any failures. 2.1.7 Consulting and System Integration Services As mentioned earlier that MAAGNET Systems Sdn Bhd was established as an inhouse outsourcing subsidiary which provides all the necessary IT consultancy and services to all companies within the MAAs group. 2.2 Issues and Challenges Initially at the earlier stage of MAAB history, was a question of the need to cope with the dynamic changing world of business and transforming the system to a newer technology that they dont possess much knowledge of it. This gave rise to other issues and assessments which needed to be studied in a detail basis. 2.2.1 Feasibility As any type of Investment an assessment of costs and benefits needed to be done to ensure profitability in short and long term. After that, executing stages of the transformation, receiving feedback and making amendments along as each stage ends and a new stage starts. This has been successful, although obstacles came along especially in terms of allocation of budget and the appropriate human resources needed to each division. There were a lot of repetitions, different systems requirements and different opinions among the divisions, as a solution and a step to achieve synergy in a wider prospective. A decision was made to set up a new subsidiary that handles all IT consultancies and services not just to MAAB but to the MAA group as a whole.

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MAAGNET Systems Sdn Bhd was incorporated in 2001, and it has been a successful subsidiary in providing IT consultancies, services as well as generating extra income. 2.2.2 Security Security has been always an important issue whether before the transformation process or after it. Since MAAB is dealing with such a huge data, these data needed to be protected to comply with the insurance industry regulation. MAAGNET Systems Sdn Bhd has recognized the need and has put in place safe measurements and policies for the protection of the IT system as a whole, this has enabled MAABs data center to apply for the ISO 27000 certification, passed it and became certified data center. The coming up issue that concerns all Malaysians Insurance companies is The Personal Data Protection Act that was passed on June 2010, and most likely to be enforced by the end of 2011. The Personal Data Protection Act will have some implications that concern the Insurance Industry in particular: How to ensure data privacy according to The Personal Data Protection Act The collection practices, especially if it used to involve buying / selling data from / to third party Best practices for use or transfer of personal information 2.2.3 Capacity With the increase number of users/clients of MAAB there was a need to update its existing Sun E3500 and E5000 servers. MAAB awarded CSC and its partner Sun a RM2 million contract to update the system to Sun Fire 6800 which will improve the capacity and performance as well (Computer Sciences Corporation, 2011). 2.2.4 Online System MAAB will invest up to RM3 million in its Electronic Personal Lines System (ePEL), an online web-based policy issuance system launched on Tuesday 12 May 2008. The system allows MAAB agents to issue non-motor policies in 10 minutes (MSCMalaysiaNewsCenter, 2011, para. 1). 2.3 Strategic Role of IT As any company these days cant do without IT, MAAB recognizes the need of IT in order to continue running its businesses and to compete with other Insurance providers. Therefore it takes a great mater of its IT infrastructure and in constant search for updates and new releases which best fit their business requirements.

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1. CLOUD COMPUTING AND ITS BUSINESS BENEFITS AND COSTS

3.1 Introduction Some people refer to cloud computing as an idea some believes its a technology and other define it the way it suits their needs within the concept of cloud computing. Cloud computing is an internet evolution, it involve delivering applications, computing infrastructures, business processes, computing power, etc. as a service or in another word providing hosted services whenever and wherever you need through the internet. Sun Microsystemss prospective of cloud computing helps to increase the velocity at which applications are deployed, helping to increase the pace of innovation, cloud computing may yet take forms that we still cannot imagine today. What remains constant, however, is that Sun is an experienced provider of server, storage, networking, and software technology that is ready to support cloud computing. As the company that coined the phrase The Network is the Computer, we believe that cloud computing is the next generation of network computing (Oracle, 2009, ch. 1, para. 2).

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From one perspective, cloud computing is nothing new because it uses approaches, concepts, and best practices that have already been established. From another perspective, everything is new because cloud computing changes how we invent, develop, deploy, scale, update, maintain, and pay for applications and the infrastructure on which they run (Oracle, 2009, ch. 2, para. 1). An extension trend of self service, on demand and pay by use is a characteristics of cloud computing. The self service allows organizations to establish flexible environment which could be based on workload of its targets. The on demand allows and supports the capacity aspects of service level objectives, while the pay by use service can substitute the need to pay for equipment. 3.2 Types of Cloud Computing There are three service models:

A public cloud which runs by third parties and sells services to anyone on the internet, it reduces cost and customer risk, and what makes it stands from the rest is the ability to scale up and down as needed and in the same time transferring the risks of infrastructure from the organization to the cloud provider. Figure 1 in the list of figures. A private cloud which is an exclusive network that supplies services specific people, the organization owns the infrastructure and has ultimate control and best of security for data. It can be managed by an IT department or a cloud provider. Figure 2 in the list of figures. A hybrid cloud which is a combination of both private and public cloud, this model allows you to control the distribution of application within the public and private cloud. Figure 3 in the list of figures.

3.3 Layers of Cloud Computing There are also three layers as well:

Infrastructure as a service (IaaS) which provides application program interface, virtual storage systems, and servers within a network, this enable the user to use as much capacity as needed, in a faster way while making payment for only the used services. A good example Amazon Web, Services, Rackspace and Joyent. Software as a service (SaaS) provides a comprehensive application to a several users; it can host both the data and the application at the same time. Salesforce.com and Google Apps are a good example. Platform as a service (PaaS) is a combination of software and products hosted in in the service provider. Google Apps Engine, Microsofts Windows Azure and Force.com are a good example.

3.4 Business Benefits There are many business benefits but in order to do so, the provider must be dynamic and able to deploy the models as best use and in support of cloud computing.

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1- Reduce run and response time By using the cloud computing you can achieve the highest speed according to the providers no of servers. 2- Lower cost of entry As infrastructure (equipment) is not purchased and rented out, there is no need for capital investment, some more the applications and software are developed and updated constantly same wise no need to waste time in doing those steps again. 3- Reduce infrastructure risk There is always a risk inherited when purchasing equipment and the question will it work, is the capacity and speed right, these all becomes the responsibility of the provider. 4-Innvoation Cloud computing promotes easiness of entry to the market which helps many company to enter and focus on products rather than worrying about the capital of investment for IT, this helps innovation and competition at the same time which befits all markets and consumers as well. 3.4 Issues As for the issues that need to be considered are as follow: 1- Cloud management Issues of data movement, provision of asset and quality of services. 2-Cloud security In addition to the usual principals, many aspects of security need to be considered most important detection of illegitimate activates and encryption of information. 3-Cloud governance and standards The need to understand compliance and risk, while maintain integrate and most important ensure interoperability among all clouds providers. 3.5 Cost Cost can go up high but in the same time save millions of dollars, never the less cost can also go down as pay as you use same, it all really depends on the model you are choosing and the layers you are using in addition to the size of the organization and definitely the equipment whether it uses less power or not (Velte, Velte & Elsenpeter 2008). 3.5 Current Trends Infrastructure as a Service (IssS) is said to be the core of cloud computing, many providers namely Amazon Web Services, and Rackspace said their profit has grown because of this service, despite this reported growth, some are still reluctant to

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consider commodity IaaS for mission-critical applications in the cloud. A recent survey showed that 52 percent responded that security concerns are holding them back from using the cloud (CloudTimes, 22 June 2011, para. 5). Software as a Service has the biggest share in terms of users and revenues, GigOMs survey reveals that 61 percent derive their revenues primarily from SaaS subscription fees; and 74 percent identified a SaaS offering as the cloud computing services they are using (CloudTimes, 22 June 2011, para. 22). Platform as a Service (PssS) popularity is increasing and many providers are working together to prove the PssS application. On the first half of 2011, PaaS providers address the concern about lack of control and lack of choice. Based from the survey, Complexity is the major issue that PaaS seeks to eliminate; followed by Interoperability and Lock-in (CloudTimes, 22 June 2011, para. 15).

1. RECOMMENDATION OF CLOUD COMPUTING ADOPTION

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4.1 Market Demand MAAB engages in the underwriting of life insurance and all classes of general business insurance, as well as investment link and annuity business. Based on the feedback of users and surfers the response time has improved as well as the performance after the installation of the new servers. However this cant fulfill the definite continues need for a faster response; larger capacity and better performance to cope with the increase number of clients and agents. 4.2 Business Strategy MAAB will invest in the newest information technology in order to improve its operation and cost saving, as it has always done. The main focus will be on: System integration A better automation of application An improved ways for data warehouse and data mining Better use of business intelligence Improve E-business experience

4.3 Information Technology Strategy, Infrastructure and Cost MAAB aims to be the leader in general insurance business as well as covering every Malaysian; estimated Total Cost of Ownership of Technology in line with the business strategy is as follow: Infrastructure Component Hardware acquisition Software acquisition Installation Training Support Maintenance Infrastructure Downtime Space and energy Cost Component RM 5 million, for two new Sun Microsystems server, plus computer hardware RM 2.5 million, for cloud management software, plus other online software as well RM 1.5 million, for servers and new computers RM 1 million, for the new software and how to handle cloud computing Comes with purchasing RM 1 RM 3 million, only estimation million, only estimation

RM .4 million annually only estimation RM 1.5 million only estimation and may vary according to model and layers Table: 1 TCO

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4.4 Information Technology Assessment MAAB has kept up with the change in technology and the need of its users; it installed new servers to cope with the huge users data, as well as invested in Electronic Personal Lines System and continuing to update its systems. 4.5 Competitor Firm Services In terms of products and services each competitor differ with minor aspects of technicality and formality but no actual use of cloud computing services yet, the discussion is on, but the fear of liability has overcome the need do so. 4.6 Competitor Firm Infrastructure Investment Companies in Malaysia rarely go public with their IT investment to maintain a competitive advantage and innovation. 4.7 Recommendation With the acquisition of ZFSG to MAAB, it will gain control of MAAGNET Systems Sdn Bhd, as such a decision need to be made in order to manage the relationship and the basis of charge. Looking into this, the choices are limited to:

Continuing this subsidiary and injecting money into it to make it a private cloud that could continue to service MAAB as well as MAA group, this to achieve maximum security and derive extra income. Go for a hybrid cloud, where critical data could be saved in the private cloud while the day to day applications could be handled through the public cloud. Dispose of MAAB, and go for a public could, the issue of security can be managed through The use of cryptography to ensure privacy of data, where the information takes two forms unintelligible during the process and intelligible at each destination (Pearlson & Saunders 2006).

Taking the second choice and In order to facilitate communication and collaboration between ZFSG and MAAB, the consideration of Microsoft Office SharePoint Online (SaaS) should be taken, Aviva has implemented the system and it has been a successful choice. The CIO Toby Redshaw said The solution brought Aviva a communications portal, a modern collaboration environment, a knowledge platform using new tools, and a foundation for us to use as a lunch pad for further application (Molen 2010, p. 148)

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1. CONCLUSIONS
MAAB has invested in its IT infrastructure looking for the latest and appropriate programs and software that fit its business requirements, including the new servers and the Electronic Personal Lines System. Due to the increase number of users there will be a need to increase the capacity of storage and a faster server in the long term, while maintain the security of data and complying with the insurance regulation and policy. Cloud computing could bring the solution depending on the model to be chosen and layers of service, the cost will vary accordingly, however it is the future of IT and it is an emerging technology that will dominate the IT market in the near future.

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LIST OF REFERENCES
1. Computer Sciences Corporation 2011, Computer Sciences Corporation, Kuala

Lumpur, Malaysia, Viewed 28 August 2011, < http://www.csc.com/my/case_studies/9874maa_assurance_awards_rm2_mil_contract_to_csa>. 2. International Insurance News 2011, International Insurance News, Hong Kong, China, Viewed 10 August 2011, <http://www.globalsurance.com/blog/growthexpected-for-malaysian-insurance-sector-328320.html>. 3. MAAB 2008, Malaysian Alliance Assurance Berhad, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Viewed 10 August 2011, <https://www.maa.com.my/MAAAS/pages/vision.aspx>. 4. MAAB 2008, Malaysian Alliance Assurance Berhad, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Viewed 10 August 2011, <https://www.maa.com.my/MAAAS/pages/corporateprofile.aspx>. 5. MSC Malaysia News Center 2011, MSC Malaysia News Center, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Viewed 28 August 2011, < http://newscentre.msc.com.my/articles/390/1/MAA-Assurance-Invests-RM3-Mln-InIts-Online-Policy-Issuance-System/Page1.html>. 6. Martin Tantow, 2011, Cloud Computing: Current Market Trends and Future Opportunities, Cloud Times, 22 June, Viewed 10 September 2011, <http://cloudtimes.org/cloud-computing-its-current-market-trends-and-futureopportunities/>. 7. Molen, Fred dan der. 2010. Get Ready for Cloud Computing. 1st edn, Van Haren Publishing, Zaltbommel, Netherlands. 8. Oracle 2011, Oracle, California, USA, Viewed 20 August 2011, <http://www.oracle.com/us/products/servers-storage/035942.pdf>. 9. Oracle 2009, Public Clouds, Sun Microsystems, Inc., California, USA, Viewed 5 September 2011, < http://www.oracle.com/us/dm/44034-cloudcomputing332069.pdf>. 10. Oracle 2009, Private Clouds, Sun Microsystems, Inc., California, USA, Viewed 5 September 2011, < http://www.oracle.com/us/dm/44034-cloudcomputing332069.pdf>. 11. Oracle 2009, Hybrid Clouds, Sun Microsystems, Inc., California, USA, Viewed 5 September 2011, < http://www.oracle.com/us/dm/44034-cloudcomputing332069.pdf>. 12. Pearlson, KE & Saunders. 2006, Managing & Using Information Systems: A Strategic Approach. 3rd edn, Wiley & Sons, USA. 13. Spectra 2011, Sun Microsystems, Inc., Californian, USA, Viewed 20 August 2011, < http://www.spectra.com/pdfs/e6800.pdf>. 14. The General Insurance Industry of Malaysia: Performance and Prospective 2010, Malaysian Rating Corporation Berhad database, n.d. 15. Velte, TJ, Velte, AT & Elsenpeter. 2008, Green IT: Reduce Your Information Systems Environmental Impact While Adding to the Bottom Line. The McGraw-Hill Companies, USA. 16. Zurich Financial Services Ltd. 2011, Zurich Financial Services Ltd., Zurich, Switzerland, Viewed on 15 August 2011, < http://www.zurich.com/media/newsreleases/2011/2011_0620_02_article.htm>.

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LIST OF BIBLIOGRAPGY
1. Antonopoulos, Nick. & Gillam, Lee. 2010. Cloud Computing: Principals, Systems

and Applications. Springer-Verlag London Limited, UK.

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LIST OF FIGURES

Public

Enterprise

Figure: 1 Public Cloud (Oracle, 2009, p. 10)

Public

Enterprise

Figure: 2 Private Cloud (Oracle, 2009, p. 11)

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Figure: 3 Hybrid Cloud (Oracle 2009, p. 12)

ACTIVITY A: JOURNAL This assignment seemed easy at first, but going through it, I realized it isnt as easy as I thought, as a matter of fact it is more of a small project that needs more than the usual assignment effort. 02/08/2011 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm I began the assignment with reading Assignment 4 requirements and natural, followed by a search on the internet for the right organization that also fulfills the required criteria. Not many originations say how many employees they have, therefore the choice was wide. No outcome for the day. 03/08/2011 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm The search continued and I felt fine for Sunway lagoon a theme park www.sunwaylagoon.com, so I started looking into the website, but unfortunately there was no mention of the no of employees. I decided then to call them but there was no answer for a several attempts. I decided to call the next day at an earlier time. 04/08/2011 2:00 pm to 5:50 pm I called Sunway lagoon and he told me their employees are less than 100, felt disappointed and started again to look for an organization. After a recommendation from a friend I looked into Malaysian Alliance Assurance Berhad (MAAB) web site www.maa.com.my. I decided to base the assignments on it. 10/08/2011 5:00 pm to 9:35 pm

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I searched the internet about the insurance industry history and looked into global insurance website and found an article about it http://www.globalsurance.com/blog/growth-expected-for-malaysian-insurance-sector328320.html, I also visited the library and found a journal of Malaysian Rating Corporation Berhad regarding the industry. I downloaded the last 3 years of MAABs annual report, and skimmed through it, found out that Zurich Financial group http://www.zurich.com/ has acquired MAAB. Then started to write part one of the report. 19/08/2011 2:30 pm to 2:47 pm I called MAAB and tried to make an appointment but unfortunately they said they are all busy in the meantime and they will get back to me. 20/08/2011 2:30 pm to 4:45 pm Searched the internet regarding the IT infrastructure of MAAB, find much information and wanted to verify the information; however I started on part two of the report. 22/08/2011 12:30 pm to 12:50 pm Called MAAB but unfortunately got the same response earlier someone will get back to me, got frustrated and decided to visit the company. 25/08/2011 2:00 pm to 2:30 pm I visited the company, introduced myself but obviously there was no cooperation, so I started to ask about their products and pumped couple of questions about their IT infrastructure. Really felt disappointed, I dont know why there was no assistance, is it because am not Malaysia or I dont speak the local language am not sure. 05/09/2011 6:30 pm to 9:45 pm I started searching about cloud computing, benefits and cost in the internet and went to the library and looked into some books as well. I started writing part three of the report. 19/09/2011 5:25 pm to 9:30 pm I started part four after analyzing.