Implementing Cloud Computing In Small & Mid- Market Life-Sciences
This paper uses a mixed-method approach to study cloud computing implementation in emerging biotech and pharmaceutical companies. The study investigated four small biotech and pharmaceutical companies. The objective was to determine the positive and negative impacts of cloud computing and the impact of such implementation – especially the business impacts in an increasing global and competitive environment. The unique benefits, drawbacks, and various drivers of cloud implementation in these companies were identified. The research techniques were mixed qualitative methods that included action research, observations, and review of other case studies. The research indicated that small biotech and pharmaceutical companies found cloud computing to be very attractive albeit with some drawbacks. The paper provides a detailed discussion of the rationale in opting for cloud implementation by the emerging life-sciences companies; a comprehensive literature review of cloud implementation; the processes involved during the planning and implementation stages. The paper concludes by providing detailed recommendations on cloud implementation to organizations in the life-sciences domain.