Volvo’s Implementation of Cloud Technology The most fruitful companies today are the ones that thrive to keep up with technology and implement the new pioneering concepts. One of the these widely used innovative tools is called cloud technology which enables any business the ability to rent their Information Technology (IT) from an on-line host provider. The ability to rent programs and internet services instead of investing in buying and housing all of these programs saves an organization quite a bit of time and money. This cloud technology, often known as data demand centers, provides compute power, storage, and memory to companies at a price per hour so it gives companies the advantage of not having to invest in on-site hardware equipment (Lambert, 2011). Furthermore, this cloud infrastructure allows a company the capability to assist in other business areas like marketing, customer service, and manufacturing by setting up an organized system to track and take care of all leads, sales, and manufacturing issues. Definitely, Volvo has found business value in utilizing this groundbreaking technology to give them the competitive advantage in the automotive industry. Volvo has taken this expertise and added sensors throughout each vehicle allowing a high volume of data to travel through a cloud infrastructure that is streamlined against their customer, dealership, and design systems and dumped in their centralized hub called the Volvo Data Warehouse. This cloud model, also known as the Big Data System, has allowed Volvo the ability to accumulate a huge volume of information so they can find vehicle malfunctions, find optimal ways to manufacture more efficiently, and provide customers with the greatest quality vehicles. This novel computer model has given Volvo a strong competitive lead by giving them better insight on mechanical issues and the power to optimize manufacturing.

Volvo Transforms Data into Knowledge Technology has offered organizations the ability to gather countless volumes of data; however, if that data is not readily accessible and properly converted into usable knowledge then it becomes impractical. Volvo has definitely been able to grasp the new technological era of gathering volumes of data; nonetheless, their ability to access the information could create puzzling challenges. The challenge of having to replicate and analyze the data accumulated from innovative IT technology makes it difficult to not only store, but properly access it in order to use it for practical purposes (Brandon, 2011). Apparently, Volvo has jumped past the challenges involved with large amounts of data and used the cloud infrastructure to allow them to slice current data gained from the sensors with past data of customer, manufacturing, and dealership systems. Furthermore, Volvo developed the ability to properly detect manufacturing issues and design flaws which has enabled them to provide a better quality automobile and also reduce manufacturing costs or recall issues. For example, this current data system is able to detect a flaw in the first 500 cars opposed to later once 700,000 cars had been produced saving Volvo time and money. Volvo has been quite successful in converting data obtained through sensors and streamlined through cloud technology and converted it into knowledge that has given them great business value.
Impact of Real-Time Information Systems Volvo’s Big Data System model allows them the ability to respond to transactions immediately with their system and be able to transfer it into the master file and gain an output that is consistent with their manufacturing speed. Instead of having to crunch numbers and review spreadsheets, managers can now obtain their needed information real-time via the web-based information technology (Ruel, 2008). This real time information is a valuable asset to Volvo allowing them the ability to find manufacturing and design flaws early in the process opposed to later which saves them time and money. This real time information means flexibility and efficiency for Volvo as well as opening up doors of new technological concepts for the new generation. Volvo’s implementation of cloud technology has enabled them to take real-time data and convert it into knowledge that has moved them to the cutting edge of competition in the car industry.
How Big Data Systems gives Volvo the Competitive Edge
. In order to remain competitive in today’s market it is imperative that a company use data effectively and efficiently (Ruel, 2008). The modern era of innovation has allowed Volvo the capability to gain a competitive edge by employing data into knowledge to allow them to provide better quality, cost reduction, and improved product design. Typically, most competition uses a batch processing system and the information is not real-time like this cloud infrastructure that Volvo has employed. Volvo is able to respond to sales and customer requests as well as quickly move inventory out the door with their new data system. The implementation of the Big Data System has given them the business swiftness to the changing market and made opportunities a reality (Ruel, 2008). Volvo has turned dreams into reality and taken their data and made it a real opportunity by converting it into valuable knowledge with their new state-of-the-art concept. This opportunity has allowed them to be the first automotive company to create the Intelligent Driver Information System (IDIS) and place them as the leader in the car industry. This new generation automobile tool is a vehicle-human interactive system that monitors the current driving needs and at the same time handles all incoming phone calls, texts, and emails allowing less stress on the driver (Brostrom, 2003). Volvo’s introduction of this new management system provides the automobile industry a safe and efficient driving experience that has not only given Volvo a competitive advantage, but created them the spot as the leader in this automobile industry.