2012 is rumored 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.

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Employing
Cloud
By Ian Moyse,
Sales Director
www.workbooks.com
Eurocloud UK Board Member and Cloud
Industry Forum Governance Board Member

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Employing Cloud
2012 is rumored 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% for the next five years—the promise of substantial benefits will drive this adoption.
A 2012 Rise Predictions Customer Study indicates that 94% of IT departments expect to
expand their use of cloud in the next 12 months.
“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.” IDC Chief Research Officer, John
F. Gantz.

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The key benefits of cloud computing include:
• Easier, more flexible access in a world of consumerism and BYOD (Bring Your Own
Device)
• Increased resilience
• Easier migration/implementation
• Simplicity of use
• Consistency across platforms
• Reduced implementation and on-going usage costs
• Accelerated innovation
We still hear the “downers” on 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% 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 from 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.

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Furthermore, a change in skill requirements and job opportunities will also come about
because of 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, “The IT
Jobs Cloud Computing Will Create” published in early 2012. 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 onto job roles in marketing, support and 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%. 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,” said John F. Gantz, Chief Research Officer and Senior Vice President. 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).
Cloud offers opportunities to those who embrace the new form factor, and self-educate
and certify themselves in order to meet the needs of their (potential) employers.
CompTIA’s Cloud Essentials speciality
certification 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

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& 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.”
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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