How To Get Cloud Computing To Work For You

Employing Cloud

Matt Quinn, Managing Director, IQ Cloud Consulting Content by Ian Moyse, Sales Director Workbooks.com

In collaboration with Cloud Essentials Training from ITpreneurs

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We’re pleased to share with you a deeper knowledge of various frameworks and domains— connecting their usage and application for the betterment of the IT profession. Our appreciation goes to the industry experts who generously share their invaluable knowledge and experience with us.

Introduction

2013 is rumoured to be the tipping point for cloud. For the last four to five years, we have heard that cloud (Internet-delivered solutions) is about to go mainstream. However, this year it’s not just the hype, but also the real user benefits that are driving cloud adoption.

What do I mean by this? Well, people are not necessarily out “looking” for cloud-based solutions, i.e., “I want to use the cloud.” Instead, they are looking for a tangible solution to a real problem. Some users are using a cloud-based solution without knowing it, either in their business or personal lives. Take for example “Dropbox”, a free tool for seamlessly sharing (large) files across devices. Users adopt it because it solves a need, and not because of the technology factor behind it or because of the cloud hype.

Cloud computing is expected to enjoy an adoption rate and annual growth of 30 to 40 percent during the next five years—the promise of substantial benefits will drive this adoption. Computer Weekly recently reported that 70 percent of firms that have implemented cloud services have seen cost savings and higher levels of productivity. A 2012 Rise Predictions Customer Study indicates that 94 percent of the IT departments polled expect to expand their use of cloud in the next 12 months. If you take into consideration that 90 percent of Microsoft’s 2011 R&D budget was spent on cloud computing strategy / products and that Worldwide IT spending on cloud computing has increased more than 25 percent from 2008 to 2012, and you realize this is something that cannot be ignored. “Enterprises that embrace cloud computing reduce the amount of IT time and budget devoted to legacy systems and routine upgrades, which then increases the time and budget they have for more innovative projects. When IT innovation happens, business innovation is reached, which then supports job creation.”

Benefits of Cloud Computing:

• Easier, more flexible access for a Consumerism and BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) world • Increased resilience

• Easier migration/implementation • Simplicity of use

• Consistency across platforms

• Reduced implementation and on-going usage costs • Accelerated innovation 


New Normal

We still hear the “downers” about cloud computing—the news stories of gloom, fear and disdain. It was not so long ago that Internet shopping was talked about in this manner. Yet, this form of shopping has become the norm and is continuing to enjoy compound growth, as well as affecting the traditional bricks-and-mortar retail arena.

There is plenty of hype regarding the “cloud” and certainly plenty of discussion and content. Nevertheless, reports and audiences continue to show a need for education on the terms, benefits and realities of this growing form factor. The top business/organization concern in survey after survey of the cloud, continues to be security, data sovereignty and reliability.

In a recent end user study from the Cloud Industry Forum, 62 percent of the companies using, or planning to use cloud, indicated that data security was their primary concern. When it comes to individuals, the top concern in the IT arena is job loss and a reduction of their value in the marketplace. There is no doubt that cloud is bringing about change.

We have a generation of users that demand access to their applications via their iPhone, iPad, BlackBerry or Android devices. And, we have entered an era where infinite IT power and information is available to the user on the smallest, portable devices at an affordable price.

As devices become more powerful and the Internet becomes faster—the demand and supply of cloud applications will skyrocket—and the power in the hands of the user will be greater than ever before. Expect the marriage between mobility and the cloud to continue to grow.

Change

Furthermore, a change in skill requirements and job opportunities will also come about due to the growth in cloud computing. One of CRN’s 10 Cloud Predictions for 2012, is a growth in the demand for cloud jobs, as validated in a CIO Magazine article published in early 2012, The IT Jobs Cloud Computing Will Create.

Cloud computing, is and will have, a major impact on skills across business, with IT being the most logically affected. It will also impose itself on job roles in marketing, support and in business in general. The demand for cloud-based skills is already showing signs of exploding. A recent report from Wanted Analytics, stated that hiring for jobs that included cloud computing expertise showed a year-over-year growth rate of 61 percent.

The cloud market is growing at a rapid pace. The number of job postings is accelerating, yet the qualifying talent for these roles is marginal.

The impact of cloud isn’t all “overcast”. According to IDC, “Spending on public and private cloud services is predicted to generate almost 14 million jobs worldwide between 2011 and 2015.” More than one-third of the cloud-enabled jobs will occur in communications and media, banking, and the discrete manufacturing industries.

“For most organizations, cloud computing should be a no-brainer, given its ability to increase IT innovation and flexibility, lower capital costs, and help generate revenues that are multiples of spending,” according to John F. Gantz, Chief Research Officer and Senior Vice President at IDC. The
top three industries expected to generate the most jobs from cloud computing are communications and media (2.4 million), banking (1.4 million) and discrete manufacturing (1.3 million).

Conclusion

Cloud offers opportunities to those who embrace the new form factor, and who self-educate and certify themselves in order to meet the needs of their (potential) employers.

CompTIA’s Cloud Essentials speciality certification, available from IQ Cloud, is an example-option that enables employees of varying roles to validate their cloud knowledge. It enables them to take online training and exam condition testing, and differentiate themselves in the competitive job market.

John McGlinchey, Vice President, Europe & Middle East, and CompTIA commented, “We have had a demand from the user market for a training curriculum, with testing, to support this rapidly growing new form factor. The demand and adoption is outstripping the skill base and it is key that individuals and businesses recognize and address this shortfall, before it becomes a serious issue for all concerned.”

In late 2012, an aggregated study of available data from Evolven reported a number of issues on employment that are impacted by the cloud, including:

• Surveys show few companies are adopting cloud for the purpose of reducing IT headcount.

• The number of job postings in the cloud computing industry is growing so rapidly that there aren't enough qualified workers available.

• Cloud is expected to generate as much as $1.1 trillion a year in revenue by 2015, money that will be used for expansion, and with it, some 14 million new jobs, according to an IDC study.

• Cloud specialists were up 67 percent in 2012 from 2011.

• New categories of jobs arising from cloud computing. Skills now in demand include private cloud developers and administrators, departmental liaisons, integration specialists, cloud architects, and compliance specialists.

More education is needed in cloud computing, across all sectors, to enable businesses to understand and utilize this important new technology option. This need for understanding reaches beyond the borders of the IT department. Expect to see many more cloud courses and exams— providing the market with the required validations in this new cloud world.

Ignoring cloud is no longer an option, utilizing it to your advantage is!

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