Application of open source tools and cloud computing technologies in real-time data collection and analysis

Abstract

Cloud Computing technology is a new phenomenon that though fully utilized and implemented in developed countries, its power is yet to be tapped in a number of developing countries. There are different kinds of data that can be entrusted to cloud computing providers that would reduce operating costs and save on time and financial resources. This paper sheds light on a number of cloud computing services such as Google App Engine and Open Source tools such as Open Data Kit and how the two can be used in effective data collection and analysis for organizations both governmental and non-governmental as well as business organizations. Google App Engine offers a combination Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) and Software as a Service (SaaS) to be able to provide both a mobile application and web application that can be used to receive data for analysis from field research; every instance of the application can be fully customized to meet the specific data collection needs