The cloud computing “arms race” is heating up
How and why cloud technology is linked to the future of business
Large tech companies have been exploring and expanding cloud computing for some time now. Major players like IBM, EMC, Dell, HP, Cisco as well as Google, Apple, Microsoft and Amazon are all vying for power, clout and control over various portions or sectors of the current and future cloud markets. The game has changed a bit; now, cloud computing has a firmly established foundation of infrastructure providing support for increasingly faster technological developments and breakthroughs. Quite simply, the more knowledge you possess, the more possibilities you have. Now that we finally have established what amounts to the “underpinning” of what you might call your default “cloud system”, we can focus on other endeavors while exploring the technology at the same time. In other words, the blueprints and the foundation for your basic cloud structure are complete; which would also explain why most companies are now looking at ways to expand, explore and refine existing cloud technologies.
In the context of global economic turmoil, cloud computing should be construed as a blessing and a boon. Simply put, there is great potential for growth in cloud computing and other technological areas directly related to it. Furthermore, where you have growth, you will have the potential for generating profits. Since profits tend to create employment and spur further economic growth, how could anyone consider the cloud computing industry to be anything short of a step in the right direction?
Wide open potential
One of the great things about cloud computing is that it is still an open market, so to speak. Smaller cloud-based companies can still compete with large corporations. While it’s true that larger businesses have the upper hand when it comes to R&D and advertising, a large number of innovative ideas which utilize or expand on cloud technologies are coming from smaller organizations. Over time, most of these ideas will be absorbed by the larger corporations, of course; but the important thing to remember is that some form of quantifiable growth is occurring and it’s not relegated solely to the heavy hitters. This is really great news for businesses that have the ability to take advantage of cloud computing.
If your business is able to take two or more cloud apps, components, elements, abilities or services, combine them and then offer them to customers in a repackaged format, you can compete in the current “cloud arms race”. However, this will require you to employ personnel who are qualified to operate and service cloud computing infrastructure / software / hardware. While cloud computing certification and training might sounds like it might be costly or time-consuming, there are alternatives to conventional and intrusive education programs. Through online-based e-learning programs, beginners, IT pros, non-IT personnel, programmers, and even experienced, busy careerists can expand their understanding of cloud computing in an affordable and stress-free manner. Taking advantage of the current possibilities in cloud computing is entirely dependent on how much value your organization has with regards to knowledge and understanding of cloud computing. Arguably, the best course of action for the immediate future is to look at certifying one’s entire IT department.
Absorbing technology and delivering it
Wherever there is a major demand for some type of technology or service, you can rest assured that a large corporation is probably already (or soon to be) on the scene. Those that are capable of producing at a high level are often tapped to service consumer demands. This is also true of cloud computing and the increasing number of businesses who use and rely on the technology. After adopting cloud computing, most organizations quickly become dependent on it. Likewise, due to the high number of individual benefits available through cloud service(s), businesses rarely, if ever, backslide into pre-cloud infrastructure. Once the move to the cloud has been made, the value of it to individual businesses becomes pretty clear.
As more and more businesses rush to adopt cloud computing, the organizations providing it will also continue to grow and absorb emerging ideas, concepts and technologies. The cloud “arms race” we see around us right now merely demonstrates the incredible demand exhibited by a majority of businesses for the technology. All of the tale-tell signs of a shift are upon us; cloud computing has already been adopted by a staggering number of governmental institutions, hospitals, universities, and of course, the US military. Taken together, the collective demand of these institutions gives service providers a reason to invest in research, advertising, innovation and creation of products. Additionally, services which are sold to and used by businesses will generate competition and encourage other businesses to invest in cloud computing as well.
The cloudy, yet bright future ahead
The byproduct of the current cloud “arms race” is a push toward worldwide cloud adoption. Given that cloud computing is vastly superior to traditional IT in nearly every way imaginable, more cost-efficient, and is “business-friendly”, it’s not unreasonable to assume that it will soon replace older forms of infrastructure. Today’s cloud architects are inventing new ways to improve the abilities of individual businesses, which will significantly impact the future of commerce in general.