cis assign 4

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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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Filename: Qusai Al-Meqbeli (0061022868) Page 2of 23

LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL

Meqbeli ConsultantsB1 Lagoon PerdanaBandar Sunway, PJ

Selangor, 461503 October 2011

Mr. Siw Van Desul

CEOMalaysian Assurance Alliance BerhadB3 Edward AvenuePetaling 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 AllianceAssurance Berhads (MAAB) IT infrastructure, the issues and challenges and cloudcomputing, 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 asolution needed.

It then provides you with an overview of what are cloud computing, the types and layers ofit. 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 agreat saving in the short and long term by introducing cloud computing to the operation ofMAAB. We have proposed more than an option for your consideration and evaluation inorder to obtain the best results. Each option gives MAAB the ability to control the cost whileenjoying the features of cloud computing.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for affording us the chance to work withyou in this project. I will be more than glad to discuss any questions you may have at ourmeetings 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 inMalaysia, and it was acquired by Zurich Financial Services Group (ZFSG), it needs tomaintain its position or elevate in the Malaysian Insurance Industry.

While information technology is an essential part of any organization, the need to cope withthe ever changing technology is an ongoing process and out of the question in order tocompete 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 oneswith more powerful and a better performance, this has enabled MAAB to run mission criticalinsurance applications, in the same time connect all branches, and their general insuranceagents into a single seamless network.

In the same time it has invested in the Electronic Personal Lines System that allows MAAB toissue most of the insurance policies in considerable less time.

Cloud computing is a new approach for information technology whether it is Infrastructureas a Service, Software as a Service or Platform as a Service, it gives the user a substantialsaving, 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 bemanaged the proper way, the security aspects need to be handled with care to avoidliabilities 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 sellsservices to anyone on the internet, a private cloud which is an exclusive network thatsupplies services specific people, a hybrid cloud which is a combination of both private andpublic cloud, this model allows you to control the distribution of application within the publicand private cloud.

As MAAGNET Systems Sdn Bhd is a subsidiary operating under MAAB and provides the ITconsultation and services there are 3 options for cloud computing.

Continuing this subsidiary and injecting money into it to make it a private cloud that couldcontinue to service MAAB as well as MAA group, this to achieve maximum security andderive extra income.

Go for a hybrid cloud, where critical data could be saved in the private cloud while the dayto 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 throughThe 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 collaborationbetween 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 Page

Letter of Transmittal 2

Executive Summary 3

10 Introduction 61.1 Industry Background and History 61.2 Company Background 61.3 Vision Statement 61.5 Mission Statement 61.6 Corporate Statement 61.7 Business Strategy 6

20 Infrastructure: Issues and Challenges 82.1 The IT Infrastructure Ecosystem 8

2.1.1 Computer Hardware Platforms 82.1.2 Operation System Platforms 82.1.3 Enterprise Software Application 82.1.4 Data Management and Storage 8

2.1.5 Networking/Telecommunication Platforms 82.1.6 Internet Platforms 92.1.7 Consulting and System Integration Services 9

2.2 Issues and Challenges 9

2.2.1 Feasibility 92.2.3 Security 92.2.4 Capacity 102.2.5 Online System 10

2.3 Strategic Role of IT 10

30 Cloud computing and its business benefits and costs 113.1 Introduction 113.2 Types of Cloud Computing 11

Public Cloud 11 Private Cloud 11 Hybrid Cloud 11

3.3 Layers of Cloud Computing 11 Infrastructure as a Service 11 Software as a Service 12 Platform as a Service 12

3.4 Business Benefits 123.5 Issues 123.6 Cost 123.7 Current Trends 13

10 Recommendation of cloud computing adoption 144.1Market Demand 144.2 Business Strategy 144.3 Information Technology Strategy, Infrastructure and Cost 14

Table 1 TCO 144.4 Information Technology Assessment 14


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4.5 Competitor Firm Services 144.6Competitor Firm Infrastructure Investment 154.7Recommendation 15

20 Conclusion 16

List of References 17

List of Bibliography 18

Appendices

List of Figures 19

Journal 20


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1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Industry Background

According to International Insurance News Malaysias economy grew 7.2 percent lastyear, the highest rate experienced since the year 2000. The Malaysian governmenthas aggressively pursued substantial investment programs with the explicit goals ofdoubling GDP per-capita and turning Malaysia into a high income country by 2020.New parliamentary initiatives and the Tenth Malaysian Plan will, according to industryanalysts, lead to a growth in demand for insurance products and services(International InsuranceNews,2011, para. 2).

According to Malaysian Rating Corporation Berhad Malaysias general insuranceindustry, unlike its peers in the developed world, was mostly shielded from the directeffects of the global financial crisis. However, its performance during 2009 wasaffected by the slowdown in the real economy and volatilities in the domestic financialmarket (TheGeneralInsuranceIndustryofMalaysia:PerformanceandProspective, 2010,para. 1).

1.2 Company BackgroundMalaysian Alliance Assurance Berhad (MAAB) which was a subsidiary of MAA HoldingsBhd, provides life insurance and all classes of general business insurance. It was

incorporated on September 1968, and in December 1970 it was a public-listedcompany. It has over 70 branches across Malaysia and over 3000 agents. Theirmarket share in terms of motor policy is over 65 % and in terms of general insurancesis within 4 % of the sector.

On June 2011 Zurich Financial Services Group (ZFSG) announced their acquisition of100% of the share capital of Malaysian Assurance Alliance Berhad (MAAB) by itssubsidiary Zurich Insurance Company Ltd, the agreement has been signed for apurchase price of approximately USD 115 million and plan to make injection of up toUSD 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 newbusiness(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 efficiencyand product innovation which will deliver peace of mind for customers by introducingproducts 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 specialand important role in providing an invaluable professional service to theirpolicyholders and at the same time, the long term commitment to earning theirbusiness and are constantly striving to improve their services to further enhance thepartnership (MAAB, 2008).

Information Technology is essential for the company as it helps run the companysmoothly, they have recognize its important rule and in constant search for newsystems and updates.

MAABs website is: www.maa.com.my
http://www.maa.com.my/http://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 providesinformation technology consultancy and services to all companies within the MAAgroup. It was incorporated in 2001 as a step to solve the problem with IT divisionsneed, 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 fromSun Microsystem for its application and data.

Sun Fire 6800 is for data warehousing, data mining, server consolidation, andother mission-critical data center applications, and a variety of mainframe-classavailability features, such as Dynamic Reconfiguration, online upgrades,concurrent maintenance, and auto diagnosis and recovery help providemaximum uptime. With Solaris Resource Manager Software and DynamicSystem Domains, the server accommodates changing resource requirementsacross multiple applications (Spectra, 2011, para. 1).

SPARC Enterprise M4000 boasts reliability, flexibility, and binary, combining thepower of Oracle Solaris operating system with mainframe RAS features. Built on

the latest and most advanced SPARC64VII/VII+ quad-core or SPARC64 VI dual-core processors, it delivers enterprise-class service levels for essential businessapplications, 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 runthe business smoothly. Majority are Windows operation systems for typical dayto day application because of its ease of use and familiarity with any ordinaryperson, 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 reputationand 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 incompatible with UNIX while using Microsoft NET framework with SQL databasefor 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 PrivateNetwork and the Multiprotocol Label Switching. These provide private networkservices over a public infrastructure in the same time it increase theperformance of label switching to move packets between any locations. Forthat it uses Microsoft Windows Server.

2.1.6 Internet Platforms

MAAB provides an internet services portal for agents and policy holders and toensure there is no lost or breakdowns during the services it has engaged withthree 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 in-

house outsourcing subsidiary which provides all the necessary IT consultancyand 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 withthe dynamic changing world of business and transforming the system to a newertechnology that they dont possess much knowledge of it. This gave rise to otherissues 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 bedone to ensure profitability in short and long term. After that, executing stagesof the transformation, receiving feedback and making amendments along aseach stage ends and a new stage starts. This has been successful, althoughobstacles came along especially in terms of allocation of budget and theappropriate human resources needed to each division.

There were a lot of repetitions, different systems requirements and differentopinions 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 handlesall IT consultancies and services not just to MAAB but to the MAA group as awhole.


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MAAGNET Systems Sdn Bhd was incorporated in 2001, and it has been asuccessful subsidiary in providing IT consultancies, services as well asgenerating extra income.

2.2.2 Security

Security has been always an important issue whether before the transformationprocess or after it. Since MAAB is dealing with such a huge data, these dataneeded to be protected to comply with the insurance industry regulation.

MAAGNET Systems Sdn Bhd has recognized the need and has put in place safemeasurements and policies for the protection of the IT system as a whole, thishas enabled MAABs data center to apply for the ISO 27000 certification, passedit 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 tobe enforced by the end of 2011.

The Personal Data Protection Act will have some implications that concern theInsurance 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 updateits existing Sun E3500 and E5000 servers. MAAB awarded CSC and its partnerSun a RM2 million contract to update the system to Sun Fire 6800 which willimprove 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 12May 2008. The system allows MAAB agents to issue non-motor policies in 10minutes (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 inorder to continue running its businesses and to compete with other Insuranceproviders. Therefore it takes a great mater of its IT infrastructure and in constantsearch 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, computinginfrastructures, business processes, computing power, etc. as a service or in anotherword providing hosted services whenever and wherever you need through theinternet.

Sun Microsystemss prospective of cloud computing helps to increase the velocity atwhich applications are deployed, helping to increase the pace of innovation, cloudcomputing may yet take forms that we still cannot imagine today. What remainsconstant, however, is that Sun is an experienced provider of server, storage,networking, and software technology that is ready to support cloud computing. As thecompany that coined the phrase The Network is the Computer, we believe thatcloud 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 anotherperspective, everything is new because cloud computing changes how we invent,develop, deploy, scale, update, maintain, and pay for applications and theinfrastructure 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 ofcloud computing. The self service allows organizations to establish flexibleenvironment which could be based on workload of its targets. The on demand allowsand supports the capacity aspects of service level objectives, while the pay by useservice 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 theinternet, it reduces cost and customer risk, and what makes it stands from therest is the ability to scale up and down as needed and in the same timetransferring the risks of infrastructure from the organization to the cloudprovider. 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 andbest of security for data. It can be managed by an IT department or a cloudprovider. 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 andprivate 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 touse as much capacity as needed, in a faster way while making payment for onlythe used services. A good example Amazon Web, Services, Rackspace andJoyent.

Software as a service (SaaS) provides a comprehensive application to a severalusers; 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 inin the service provider. Google Apps Engine, Microsofts Windows Azure andForce.com are a good example.

3.4 Business Benefits

There are many business benefits but in order to do so, the provider must be dynamicand 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 theproviders no of servers.

2- Lower cost of entry

As infrastructure (equipment) is not purchased and rented out, there is no need forcapital investment, some more the applications and software are developed andupdated 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 itwork, is the capacity and speed right, these all becomes the responsibility of theprovider.

4-Innvoation

Cloud computing promotes easiness of entry to the market which helps manycompany to enter and focus on products rather than worrying about the capital ofinvestment for IT, this helps innovation and competition at the same time which befitsall 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 consideredmost 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 mostimportant 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 costcan also go down as pay as you use same, it all really depends on the model you arechoosing and the layers you are using in addition to the size of the organization anddefinitely 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, manyproviders namely Amazon Web Services, and Rackspace said their profit has grownbecause 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 surveyshowed that 52 percent responded that security concerns are holding them back fromusing the cloud (CloudTimes, 22 June 2011, para. 5).

Software as a Service has the biggest share in terms of users and revenues, GigOMssurvey reveals that 61 percent derive their revenues primarily from SaaS subscriptionfees; and 74 percent identified a SaaS offering as the cloud computing services theyare using (CloudTimes, 22 June 2011, para. 22).

Platform as a Service (PssS) popularity is increasing and many providers are workingtogether to prove the PssS application. On the first half of 2011, PaaS providersaddress 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 byInteroperability 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 businessinsurance, as well as investment link and annuity business.

Based on the feedback of users and surfers the response time has improved as well asthe performance after the installation of the new servers. However this cant fulfill thedefinite continues need for a faster response; larger capacity and better performanceto 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 itsoperation 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 everyMalaysian; estimated Total Cost of Ownership of Technology in line with the business

strategy is as follow:Infrastructure

Component

Cost Component

Hardware acquisition RM 5 million, for two new Sun Microsystems server, plus

computer hardware

Software acquisition RM 2.5 million, for cloud management software, plus other

online software as well

Installation RM 1.5 million, for servers and new computers

Training RM 1 million, for the new software and how to handle cloud

computing

Support Comes with purchasing

Maintenance RM 1 million, only estimation

Infrastructure RM 3 million, only estimation

Downtime RM .4 million annually only estimation

Space and energy 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 installednew servers to cope with the huge users data, as well as invested in ElectronicPersonal 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 oftechnicality and formality but no actual use of cloud computing services yet, thediscussion 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 SdnBhd, as such a decision need to be made in order to manage the relationship and thebasis of charge. Looking into this, the choices are limited to:

Continuing this subsidiary and injecting money into it to make it a private cloudthat could continue to service MAAB as well as MAA group, this to achievemaximum security and derive extra income.

Go for a hybrid cloud, where critical data could be saved in the private cloudwhile 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 bemanaged through The use of cryptography to ensure privacy of data, wherethe information takes two forms unintelligible during the process andintelligible at each destination (Pearlson & Saunders 2006).

Taking the second choice and In order to facilitate communication and collaborationbetween ZFSG and MAAB, the consideration of Microsoft Office SharePoint Online(SaaS) should be taken, Aviva has implemented the system and it has been asuccessful choice. The CIO Toby Redshaw said The solution brought Aviva acommunications portal, a modern collaboration environment, a knowledge platformusing 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 appropriateprograms and software that fit its business requirements, including the new serversand the Electronic Personal Lines System. Due to the increase number of users therewill 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 andpolicy.

Cloud computing could bring the solution depending on the model to be chosen andlayers of service, the cost will vary accordingly, however it is the future of IT and it isan 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, KualaLumpur, Malaysia, Viewed 28 August 2011, .

2. International Insurance News 2011, International Insurance News, Hong Kong,China, Viewed 10 August 2011, .

3. MAAB 2008, Malaysian Alliance Assurance Berhad, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Viewed10 August 2011, .

4. MAAB 2008, Malaysian Alliance Assurance Berhad, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Viewed10 August 2011, .

5. MSC Malaysia News Center 2011, MSC Malaysia News Center, Kuala Lumpur,

Malaysia, Viewed 28 August 2011, .

6. Martin Tantow, 2011, Cloud Computing: Current Market Trends and FutureOpportunities, Cloud Times, 22 June, Viewed 10 September 2011,.

7. Molen, Fred dan der. 2010. Get Ready for Cloud Computing. 1st edn, Van HarenPublishing, Zaltbommel, Netherlands.

8. Oracle 2011, Oracle, California, USA, Viewed 20 August 2011,.

9. Oracle 2009, Public Clouds, Sun Microsystems, Inc., California, USA, Viewed 5September 2011, .

10.Oracle 2009, Private Clouds, Sun Microsystems, Inc., California, USA, Viewed 5September 2011, .

11.Oracle 2009, Hybrid Clouds, Sun Microsystems, Inc., California, USA, Viewed 5September 2011, .

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, .

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 EnvironmentalImpact 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.csc.com/my/case_studies/9874-maa_assurance_awards_rm2_mil_contract_to_csahttp://www.csc.com/my/case_studies/9874-maa_assurance_awards_rm2_mil_contract_to_csahttp://www.globalsurance.com/blog/growth-expected-for-malaysian-insurance-sector-328320.htmlhttp://www.globalsurance.com/blog/growth-expected-for-malaysian-insurance-sector-328320.htmlhttps://www.maa.com.my/MAAAS/pages/vision.aspxhttps://www.maa.com.my/MAAAS/pages/corporateprofile.aspxhttp://newscentre.msc.com.my/articles/390/1/MAA-Assurance-Invests-RM3-Mln-In-Its-Online-Policy-Issuance-System/Page1.htmlhttp://newscentre.msc.com.my/articles/390/1/MAA-Assurance-Invests-RM3-Mln-In-Its-Online-Policy-Issuance-System/Page1.htmlhttp://cloudtimes.org/cloud-computing-its-current-market-trends-and-future-opportunities/http://cloudtimes.org/cloud-computing-its-current-market-trends-and-future-opportunities/http://www.oracle.com/us/products/servers-storage/035942.pdfhttp://www.oracle.com/us/dm/44034-cloudcomputing-332069.pdfhttp://www.oracle.com/us/dm/44034-cloudcomputing-332069.pdfhttp://www.oracle.com/us/dm/44034-cloudcomputing-332069.pdfhttp://www.oracle.com/us/dm/44034-cloudcomputing-332069.pdfhttp://www.oracle.com/us/dm/44034-cloudcomputing-332069.pdfhttp://www.oracle.com/us/dm/44034-cloudcomputing-332069.pdfhttp://www.spectra.com/pdfs/e6800.pdfhttp://www.zurich.com/media/newsreleases/2011/2011_0620_02_article.htmhttp://www.csc.com/my/case_studies/9874-maa_assurance_awards_rm2_mil_contract_to_csahttp://www.csc.com/my/case_studies/9874-maa_assurance_awards_rm2_mil_contract_to_csahttp://www.globalsurance.com/blog/growth-expected-for-malaysian-insurance-sector-328320.htmlhttp://www.globalsurance.com/blog/growth-expected-for-malaysian-insurance-sector-328320.htmlhttps://www.maa.com.my/MAAAS/pages/vision.aspxhttps://www.maa.com.my/MAAAS/pages/corporateprofile.aspxhttp://newscentre.msc.com.my/articles/390/1/MAA-Assurance-Invests-RM3-Mln-In-Its-Online-Policy-Issuance-System/Page1.htmlhttp://newscentre.msc.com.my/articles/390/1/MAA-Assurance-Invests-RM3-Mln-In-Its-Online-Policy-Issuance-System/Page1.htmlhttp://cloudtimes.org/cloud-computing-its-current-market-trends-and-future-opportunities/http://cloudtimes.org/cloud-computing-its-current-market-trends-and-future-opportunities/http://www.oracle.com/us/products/servers-storage/035942.pdfhttp://www.oracle.com/us/dm/44034-cloudcomputing-332069.pdfhttp://www.oracle.com/us/dm/44034-cloudcomputing-332069.pdfhttp://www.oracle.com/us/dm/44034-cloudcomputing-332069.pdfhttp://www.oracle.com/us/dm/44034-cloudcomputing-332069.pdfhttp://www.oracle.com/us/dm/44034-cloudcomputing-332069.pdfhttp://www.oracle.com/us/dm/44034-cloudcomputing-332069.pdfhttp://www.spectra.com/pdfs/e6800.pdfhttp://www.zurich.com/media/newsreleases/2011/2011_0620_02_article.htm


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LIST OF FIGURES

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

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

Public

Enterprise

Public Enterprise


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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 easyas I thought, as a matter of fact it is more of a small project that needs more than theusual assignment effort.

02/08/20117:30 pm to 9:30 pm

I began the assignment with reading Assignment 4 requirements and natural, followedby a search on the internet for the right organization that also fulfills the requiredcriteria. Not many originations say how many employees they have, therefore thechoice was wide. No outcome for the day.

03/08/20116:30 pm to 9:30 pm

The search continued and I felt fine for Sunway lagoon a theme parkwww.sunwaylagoon.com, so I started looking into the website, but unfortunately therewas no mention of the no of employees. I decided then to call them but there was noanswer for a several attempts. I decided to call the next day at an earlier time.

04/08/20112:00 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 recommendationfrom a friend I looked into Malaysian Alliance Assurance Berhad (MAAB) web sitewww.maa.com.my. I decided to base the assignments on it.

10/08/20115:00 pm to 9:35 pm
http://www.sunwaylagoon.com/http://www.maa.com.my/http://www.sunwaylagoon.com/http://www.maa.com.my/


23/23


I searched the internet about the insurance industry history and looked into globalinsurance website and found an article about ithttp://www.globalsurance.com/blog/growth-expected-for-malaysian-insurance-sector-328320.html, I also visited the library and found a journal of Malaysian RatingCorporation Berhad regarding the industry.

I downloaded the last 3 years of MAABs annual report, and skimmed through it, foundout that Zurich Financial group http://www.zurich.com/ has acquired MAAB. Thenstarted to write part one of the report.

19/08/20112:30 pm to 2:47 pm

I called MAAB and tried to make an appointment but unfortunately they said they areall busy in the meantime and they will get back to me.

20/08/20112:30 pm to 4:45 pm

Searched the internet regarding the IT infrastructure of MAAB, find much informationand wanted to verify the information; however I started on part two of the report.

22/08/201112:30 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.

25/08/20112:00 pm to 2:30 pm

I visited the company, introduced myself but obviously there was no cooperation, so Istarted to ask about their products and pumped couple of questions about their ITinfrastructure. Really felt disappointed, I dont know why there was no assistance, is itbecause am not Malaysia or I dont speak the local language am not sure.

05/09/20116:30 pm to 9:45 pm

I started searching about cloud computing, benefits and cost in the internet and wentto the library and looked into some books as well. I started writing part three of thereport.

19/09/20115:25 pm to 9:30 pm

I started part four after analyzing.
http://www.globalsurance.com/blog/growth-expected-for-malaysian-insurance-sector-328320.htmlhttp://www.globalsurance.com/blog/growth-expected-for-malaysian-insurance-sector-328320.htmlhttp://www.zurich.com/http://www.globalsurance.com/blog/growth-expected-for-malaysian-insurance-sector-328320.htmlhttp://www.globalsurance.com/blog/growth-expected-for-malaysian-insurance-sector-328320.htmlhttp://www.zurich.com/

cis assign 4

Documents