Research : Advantages of Cloud system

Source:
[Why Move to the Cloud? 10 Benefits of Cloud Computing]
 : http://www.salesforce.com/uk/socialsuccess/cloud-computing/why-move-to-cloud-10-benefits-cloud-computing.jsp

[Cloud Computing Can Reduce Business Costs]
 : http://www.theguardian.com/media-network/partner-zone-microsoft/cloud-computing-reduce-business-costs

[Advantages of Cloud Computing : IBM is Driving Business Model Innovation]
(It's IBM's private promotion video clip but I think it's enough well made to be used as source.)

 : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iISeSj95-34

[Cloud Financing : Reducing costs with cloud infrastructure.]
 : http://www.theguardian.com/media-network/partner-zone-microsoft/cloud-computing-reduce-business-costs

My Thesis:
 To promote cities, cities should use SNS based on Cloud system(Big data system).

What I hope to learn from this source:
 Worldwide Hardware and Software Private and Public Cloud IT infrastructure will increase 80% from 2013-2017. Moreover, Investment in private and public cloud infrastructures are expected to grow to 42 billion dollars in 2017. Then, what makes pubic and private business company use Cloud system? What's the main benefits of Cloud? Could these advantages be applied in cities promotion or development? What evidence I can use to argue cities should use Cloud based promotion?

Notes:
 Why are so many businesses moving to the Cloud? 

1. Efficiency
   Businesses that have own on-premise IT setups need to be responsible for the setups, develop and concern about that. Also, it may require not a little expenditure, ant then further investment in terms of managing and maintaining the infrastructure.
 However, companies which use Cloud do not face the problem. They no longer need to bother about how much they spend to develop process infra.

2. Flexibility
 A cloud based system(in my case, SNS) help business easily meet customer's demand. As I searched last research post,  cloud based system could instantly meet what costumer wants. This flexibility is the most crucial points that the more and more businesses move to Cloud.

3. Document Control and Eco-friendly
 Cloud, the system keeps all files in one central location help workers avoid cumbersome that send files on email or hardware to co-work, meaning only one person can one work at a time. Usually, companies that don't use Cloud system have to construct the server space they need to work. The problem is that this process make carbon footprint that is harmful to the earth. If the companies use Cloud Server, they emit 30% less carbon than using on-site server. 

4. Increase Collaboration
 Cloud increase collaboration by allowing employees and follow workers co-work on documents and shared apps simultaneously. This advantage could be applied between the public using sns and cities managers. If the collaboration be invigorated, co-working increase quality of citizen's life.