As we discussed in class, cloud computing is an emerging technology used to access shared information, resources, and software at any time and in any place stored by a third party, a.k.a. the Internet “cloud”. The power and significance of the use of cloud computing is emphasized throughout Michelle Price’s article “Pinning Down the Cloud” in which this “Web-enabled phenomenon” is compared to the Industrial Revolution. Cloud computing is growing to be the not so secret- secret weapon of the economic world.
Growing up in what is classified as the Information Age, I inadvertently familiarized myself with the basics of cloud computing through the utilization of email. Little did I know then (circa 2003), emailing on my first AOL account, and little did I know a few weeks ago, downloading the Twitter app on my Smartphone, that I was participating in the revolution of IT infrastructure and the distribution of information, especially one sizable to the Industrial Revolution. During the 18th and 19th century major changes in agriculture, manufacturing and transportation impacted socioeconomic and cultural conditions of our world. But how can cloud computing possess as much potential to enhance productivity on such a large scale as the steam engine had? And how could I not be aware of such a change occurring? What it is doing is “increasing productivity, creating jobs, and developing businesses and competitive advantage to generate an addition $1.04 trillion in economic value and 2.4 million jobs in Europe during the next five years” (Price). George Hu, an executive vice president of a cloud computing company states, “it is the first technology that can service companies of all sizes” making it possible for small companies to utilize the same IT strengths as their larger competitors (Price). Right before my eyes the “world is shifting from an IT product led world into an IT service led world [with the introduction of cloud computing]” (Price).
Of course, the use of this IT model nails each dimension of personal information time, location, and form on the head. People want their information then and there in a functional format. It is a matter of instant gratification that cloud computing can provide and the 21st century loves instant gratification, even craves it, if that is not too much of an exaggeration. This can be more than appreciated in the business world because, as we have all heard before, time is money. Alan Goldstein, CIO for BNY Mellon Asset Management, appreciates the enrichment of business agility provided stating, “[that with cloud computing] you’re able to more rapidly deploy infrastructure and applications and to scale-up horizontally. That ability to be able to rapidly provision is really meaningful in terms of expediting speed to market”(Price)- key words here, rapidly and speed. With the attractiveness of agility come the benefits of cost efficiencies. Using cloud computing eliminates the necessity of purchasing servers and the up keep that comes along with them.
However, like all business decisions, it needs to be decided whether the benefits outweigh the risks, or what might be considered worse, the unknown. Many companies are hesitant to hop on or into “the cloud” bandwagon because it is unfamiliar territory. Many CIOs are concerned with security issues that may arise with unreliable cloud providers. I remain skeptical when presented with the IT tool of cloud computing because I am not confident the system will not shut down risking the loss of important and private information. How would an individual or large-scale company bounce back from massive amounts of lost data? In this case the benefits would not outweigh the costs. Remaining optimistic, I believe cloud computing to be a solid outlet for backing up information and resources and changing the economic and cultural world forever.
Works Cited
Price, Michelle. "Pinning Down Cloud Computing." Business News & Financial News - The Wall Street Journal - Wsj.com. 15 Feb. 2011. Web. 20 Feb. 2011. .
Maltby, Emily. "Small Companies Look to Cloud for Savings in 2011 - WSJ.com." Business News & Financial News - The Wall Street Journal - Wsj.com. 29 Dec. 2010. Web. 18 Feb. 2011. .
I find it fascinating that the current world is experiencing technological changes as monumental as the Industrial Revolution. Cloud computing allows for collaboration which old PCs lacked. As Art Coviello, president, RSA, network world, said in regards to this topic, "Think for a moment about why cloud computing is so powerful.It enables businesses to leave their aging, inflexible and costly IT infrastructures behind and move to a new "pay as you go" world characterized by choice and agility". Although the security issue presented in Micaela's blog is a major concern of many businesses, Coviello brought up a great point when he mentioned that once this technology is perfected company's costs will be cut tremendously, and the IT world will become even more efficient than it already is. We live in a world where technology is expected to be constantly updated and revamped as often as possible which is why many people may not even realize the significance of cloud computing. Although this technology is still fairly new, it is going to make a major impact on the world, just as the inventions of the Industrial Revolution did.
ReplyDeleteCoviello, Art. "Safety in the Cloud." Network World. 3 Mar. 2010. Web. 25
Feb. 2011. .