A Sensitivity Analysis of the Cloud Characteristics in Supply Chain Network Using AHP

Cloud computing is evolving rapidly in various forms of services. The decision makers in the supply chain industry are exploring the capabilities and benefits of cloud services to the supply chain network. There is a great potential for adopting cloud computing services to manage various services in the supply chain industry. This is evident form the fact that some of the companies have migrated to cloud-based systems or are in the process of migration. With various commercial models and services already established in the market and the availability of the cloud platform offering a spectrum of services, it is time that the cloud services be evaluated and assessed with a view to its benefits to the supply chain management. This paper is focused on sensitivity analysis of cloud characteristics, especially pay as per usage characteristics over other characteristics like scale-ability, increased collaboration, decision support capabilities and cost savings. Weighted scores are obtained based on a hierarchy analysis technique used for multi-criterion decision making. A function representing weighted average scores for each service characteristics in relation to other service characteristics needs to be investigated with varying rates of importance of one characteristic over the other. As the importance varies the weighted average scores also vary. The function indicates the weighted average score of each characteristic and also the variations in the weightages as ratings change from one situation to another. The authors have used a simulation technique to analyze and assess the weightages of various cloud characteristics. The services that are considered are the ones that will be useful in supply chain management