by Kyla Camille, Negosentro.com |
Computer processing resources and information can be shared on demand to computers and other internet-enabled devices through cloud computing services. Cloud computing is the blanket term encompassing everything from Software as a Service (SaaS) to Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). Cloud computing could be used for renting server equipment, remotely running a website, developing apps for different platforms, developing the platform themselves and web-enabled and delivered services. This is just a fraction of what cloud services enable us to do and as we progress further technologically, we will see the integration of cloud services into more and more businesses, institutions and economies.
Cloud computing has already effectively changed the way we do business, run Governments or economies, access and store information, etc. Initially, most companies were resistant to change, as is the case with any new technology, but over the last few years, we have witnessed several industries embrace the still emerging technology. Two of the biggest challenges for cloud services are the perceived cost expenditure to replace an existing system and the security of storing very sensitive data over cloud storage.
What does the future of cloud computing look like?
- The use of artificial intelligence
Data-driven artificial intelligence can be delivered over the cloud to make informed decisions with respect to search, language translation and computer vision. Right from GPS navigation to automated customer services, researchers make use of artificial intelligence through cloud services at tech companies, hospitals, government institutions and universities.
- Risk Management and Running Cost
Cloud may be the future and extremely essential for businesses, but it is important to consider the running cost and risk management related to cloud services. Cloud works as a double-edged sword, it can be a hugely valuable tool to support institutional efficiency and effectiveness or an additional expenditure. For example, if a cloud service is left running on a computer when not in use, the cluster would cost around 20000$ each month. You need to go into more detail to understand how cloud computing might be affecting your business.
- Availability of services and resources at economical costs
Larger websites will find it more economical to use cloud computing services to build, manage and design their platform, as compared to dedicated hosting services. Another major difference between cloud servers and dedicated servers is that with the former, information can be shared in a matter of seconds while the latter takes considerably longer to share the same information. A pricing calculator (an example of such a calculator is AWS’s enabled Amazon Pricing Calculator) is unique in the sense any person could create a cloud supercomputer by purchasing additional processor cores and gigabytes of memory online for a few hours to carry out an important and complex calculation. AWS training is essential for a person that wants to use AWS cloud services because training enables an individual to successfully use, operate and navigate the AWS system. This training is tested and certified through AWS certifications issued to individuals that successfully complete and pass amazon web services courses.
- R&D for new Products
Big data and cloud technologies are being currently adopted by several industries for research and development contributed towards new products. One such example is Philips, where they have successfully adopted research and development through Amazon Web Services to develop a new product, HealthSuite platform. This platform gives healthcare providers accurate and insightful information relating to patient data and medical records, revolutionizing the healthcare industry.
- Efficient Data Analysis
Most institutions and organisations are constantly on the lookout for a digital edge over their competitors. One can see a clear digital difference between an organisation that employs efficient data analysis with the help of cloud services and one that doesn’t. Big Data, predictive analysis, IoT, etc. all contribute towards efficient data analysis.
- Reduced staff and expenditure
Institutions and companies have started using Google Apps for Education for online collaborations, increased storage space online, better services, minimal customer support and email facilities. This in turn, leads to resources (employees, teachers, students, etc.) being freed up along with comparatively lower expenditures.
- Open source collaboration
It is easier to collaborate in open source projects with multiple parties using cloud computing and services through a public cloud and/or a hybrid cloud. Open source projects add transparency and increased innovation from a wider and more capable talent pool of developers across the world.
- Customer Satisfaction
Customer satisfaction can be enhanced with the help of cloud services by reducing the response time, fewer redundancies, reduced time to market new products and better customer interaction. Watson, a financial services assistant developed by IBM, is a service that gives an investor advice on financial products based on a variety of factors and economic market conditions.
The future of cloud computing is going to have a drastic impact on our lives in terms of health care, policy, public services, and so on. The reason being the advantages that come with Cloud computing are reduced downtime, reduced overhead costs and automated infrastructure deployment, apart from completely revolutionizing the way we share, use, distribute and access information across several industries. Now, it is up to each business, organization or company to decide if they want to succeed in the long run by incorporating and shifting to cloud systems from legacy systems.
