Economics Behind Cloud Computing

With many colleges suffering from financial problems and looking to save money, adding virtual labs based on cloud computing could be the answer because it would eliminate the costs for updated hardware, space, funds for staffing and maintenance, and other hefty fees that go along with the upkeep and maintenance of traditional computer labs. Colleges like George Mason, North Carolina State, and Georgia State have already moved to going on the clouds. At George Mason alone, a plan for a new computer lab would cost the university $180,000 at the very least to build, with yearly maintenance fees of an additional $61,000. Instead, the university decided on a virtual lab which cost about $120,000 altogether. If UCI is able to implement cloud computing in its computer labs, IT resources and money will be saved, allowing UCI to divert its costs into other needs.