Development of a Cloud-Based System to Secure Supply Chain Network in Vertical Aerospace Company

The report aims to evaluate the concept of the vertical sector - smart campus. The architectural design related to cloud computing and digital campus correlates with the vertical sector. It has been located in an innovative campus where 5G, IoT, cloud computing, and MEC have been developed and deployed (Jurva et al., 2020). The intelligent campus is widely connected with the cloud computing network, which provides specific services for vertical sectors such as industry, health sector, education, and transportation services. Vertical Aerospace is an aerospace manufacturer based in Bristol, UK (Vertical-aerospace, 2021). In Vertical Aerospace company, the reduced amount of diversification disables access to supply chain management. Problem is found when the risk occurs in supply chain operation. Smart campus, through implementing modern information technology, can support vertical sectors for operational management. However, the risk of cybersecurity and supply chain disruption can occur. Cloud computing system-based operation can be a solution to the security breaching issue in the supply chain of the vertical sectors.

Project Plan 

The project plan will focus upon the development of a solution for supply chain disruption in Vertical Aerospace due to integration with the smart campus with a modern information technology network. The plan will understand the gravity of the issue and then set the aims and objectives, milestones, deliverables, and understand the project scope. The project plan aims to develop a solution based on the cloud computing system. The objective is to understand the importance of cloud architecture and cloud computing paradigm for managing problems in the vertical sector and resolving issues in the smart campus. The project will deliver an appropriate solution for supply chain management and security setting for Vertical Aerospace's supply chain management.

Moreover, it will also develop an accurate idea of managing the smart campus network based upon cloud computing architecture. The project has a broad scope of improving the system operation in Vertical Aerospace. Managing the risk in the supply chain through handling the system of smart campuses with a cloud computing system will focus on the project.

Cloud solution and implementation 

Cloud computing system provides the flexibility in outsourcing materials through developing software-based infrastructure (Cao, Schniederjans and Schniederjans, 2017). The combination of software, services, and connection provides access over a network. The Vertical Aerospace company can implement a cloud-based solution for tracking the supply chain network. It will minimize the risk in smart technology implementation in the supply chain and develop an effective networking system.

Cloud Architecture

Requirements Gathering:

The functional requirements for managing a cloud-based system in the supply chain network of Vertical Aerospace will be a web-based system where information can be secured, and the web portal will track the supply chain network of the company; the registration process is required for both the company and the supplier in the cloud computing-based web portal, the security of the system is also required for proper wen based system operation in supply chain network of Vertical Aerospace company. The non-functional requirements can be availability, accessibility, reliability, flexibility, security, and performance (Leffingwell, 2021). In software architecture, the non-functional requirements help to measure the viability of a system. The availability of the cloud-based system will allow both the company and suppliers to manage the supply network at any time. The flexibility of the system will help the suppliers to register within the web-based cloud system in a hassle-free way. The accessibility of the system is required for the proper operation of the supply chain network. Moreover, the security must be based on an advanced protection system that will minimize the risk of the supply chain network. Performance must be measured by identifying the proper operation of the system.

Identification of risk and cloud-based solution

The risk in supply chain networks based upon smart campus can be cyber hacking and disruption in supply chain operation. The organization manages electronic technology for decarbonizing vision (Vertical-aerospace, 2021). The disruption in the supply chain network due to smart technology orientation can create issues in meeting the vision of the company. This will create risk in managing the supply networks across the aviation industry. Moreover, the reputation of the company can also be harmed. Therefore, a cloud-based solution for securing the supply chain of Vertical Aerospace company is highly recommended. The cloud computing system provides advanced security to the system (Alsmadi and Prybutok, 2018).

Choice of Cloud Platform 

The AWS cloud platform provides security in terms of database storage, product delivery, offering to compute power, other functional operations to help a business grow and evolve (Yadav, 2018). The AWS cloud platform will be applicable in case of supply chain network issues in Vertical Aerospace company. As the cloud solution provides security in the delivery of the products, it will effectively store the data within the system or web portal when the company engages in a supply chain network. The AWS solution will minimize the risk of disruption of the supply chain network. The company will be able to manage its decarbonizing vision by implementing AWS's cloud-based system.  The system will help to manage the risk of unauthorized access within the web portal of the supply chain.

Analysis and Reflection

Choice of data centre and standards

The Enterprise data centre will help the organization to operate the cloud computing system directly. It will restrict the management of the system by any third party. The Enterprise data centre will be the sole centre for cloud computing within the organization. The standard for managing the data centre can be concurrently maintainable site infrastructure which provides protection virtually within multiple independent distribution paths (Cisco, 2021). Also, it helps to replace any component in the system without any disruption. So, the standard will be suitable for the company as it will prohibit any disruption in the supply chain network.

Cloud System Architecture developed to solve the problem.

Cloud computing systems will develop a security network in the supply chain through a web-based portal. The company will be able to track the supply chain network through the web portal, and also it can view the registration and accessibility of the suppliers within the system. The cloud-based system will store the information in a confidential zone, and it will block unauthorized access within the network. It will also notify the company through the mail if any malicious activity is found in the network. The cloud-based web portal will create flexibility for the suppliers to access the company and manage the supply chain network. The AWS platform will allow the company to manage the delivery service. It will create a secured system through managing the Enterprise data centre. The centre will help the company to connect with the suppliers directly and manage the supply network solely without any interference from a third party. Moreover, the standard concurrently maintainable site infrastructure will help create a proper distribution network through the centre. Therefore, the company will track the supplier's activity and manage the risk of any interference from a third party.

Costing 

The AWS support plans cost $15000 per month (Amazon, 2021). The organization has to afford the cost of AWS, which will benefit the company in the long term.  

The cloud-based system development in managing supply chain networks provides security (Giannakis, Spanaki and Dubey, 2019). The organization Vertical Aerospace will be benefited after implementing the cloud-based platform AWS and setting the cloud centre and standard for the solution. The web-based system will be provided security through the advanced technological method, which will block the unknown user and establish a proper and authentic registration process for the suppliers. This will help to manage the possible risks in the supply chain network.

As per my view, the organization can maintain the cloud-based system by hiring several experts who will train the employees in cloud computing system management. I think the increasing risks in vertical business sectors in smart technology-oriented can be managed effectively through cloud-based secured system development. Managing a secure supply network is one of the evolving demands of organizations. Therefore, the vertical business sectors will be able to establish a good supply chain network following the rules and regulations of the government. I want to add that it is the responsibility of every vertical sector to use the smart network by adhering to the government's policies.

References

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Cao, Q., Schniederjans, D.G. and Schniederjans, M. (2017) ‘Establishing the use of cloud computing in supply chain management’, Operations Management Research, 10(1-2), pp. 47-63. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12063-017-0123-6

Cisco. (2021) What Is a Data Center?. Available at: https://www.cisco.com/c/en_uk/solutions/data-center-virtualization/what-is-a-data-center.html (Accessed 7 May 2021).

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Giannakis, M., Spanaki, K. and Dubey, R. (2019) ‘A cloud-based supply chain management system: effects on supply chain responsiveness’, Journal of Enterprise Information Management. doi: https://doi.org/10.1108/JEIM-05-2018-0106

Jurva, R., Matinmikko-Blue, M., Niemelä, V. and Nenonen, S. (2020) ‘Architecture and Operational Model for Smart Campus Digital Infrastructure’, Wireless Personal Communications, pp. 1-18. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11277-020-07221-5

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