3 types of Cloud Computing technologies which the average person uses on a daily basis
You could say that the true value of any technology is in how useful and versatile it is. Considering that cloud computing is becoming more and more prevalent across all areas of society and business, not to mention our everyday lives, it’s safe to say it is of high value.
#1 – Email
In fact, the average person uses a number of cloud-enable or delivered services on a daily basis. In reality, cloud computing isn’t a new thing at all, if you use email (like Gmail) which features specific online features an storage…guess what, you’re using a form of cloud computing already.
If you think about it, the emergence of cloud-based email has changed the way we approach anything and everything we do online. These integrated cloud technologies help us work harder, faster, and more efficiently than anyone could have every imagined. But of course it’s not all about work is it? Because of cloud computing, our entire view of what email actually is, has changed. Originally, email was basically set up to function like your typical street corner mailbox; but now, our personal email boxes are taking on lives of their own, almost functioning as if they were “digital residences”. Now, we are using email not only as a base of operations, but also as a portal to enhanced communication, social networking and even entertainment.
#2 – Online storage and file transfer / access
Everywhere you look, people are holding, using and completely reliant on electronic devices. Likewise, all of these laptops, PC’s, Mac’s, iPhones, Tablets, iPads, smartphones, etc…require (sometimes extensive) data storage. What this means is that there is a huge market for cloud-based online storage solutions, including the ability to transfer various types / sizes of files as well.
It could even be argued that many of today’s devices are merely stepping stones toward the cloud-enabled / dependent devices of the future. Already we’re seeing more and more increasingly powerful web-delivered storage and file access solutions hitting the markets. Dropbox and Amazon’s cloud player / drive are great examples of how cloud computing is updating the notions of what is considered “personal storage space”.
#3 – Area / Industry-specific services (and storage)
Name any type of media you can think of…chances are, you can go online and find someone using cloud computing to organize, share, edit, sell, or distribute that type of media. We see this in every area, whether it be images (Flickr), sound / music (Soundcloud), video (YouTube, anyone?), or documents (Google docs). Also, in each area of digital media, there are numerous competitors and imitators. The bottom line is that cloud computing simply cannot be matched when it comes to the delivery of online services and content. This fact is clearly evidenced by the raging popularity of the aforementioned services / sites themselves.
Here also, there is great potential for businesses to cash-in on, or capitalize on the growing demand for specific types of services. In other words, if your business is able to leverage their IT infrastructure (assuming you have some form of private / public cloud setup) to consumers while integrating some aspect of service which your organization specializes in, well you might become the next Flickr, or Dropbox. However, that type of approach or business model would also require a bank of more experienced and certified personnel. Luckily, getting an entire IT department certified in cloud computing has never been more affordable (especially if e-learning, or internet-enabled learning is tapped).
Moreover, you don’t even really have to own the cloud assets which you’re leveraging. For instance, every day there are numerous services popping up which make full use of cloud computing provisions. Often times the businesses offering these services are functioning merely as brokers. In other words, the websites / businesses are connecting the consumer with a specific type of cloud-delivered service (which was their own original concept / idea). If you, your partners, or your organization is interested in learning more about to begin implementing your own unique cloud-based services, cloud computing foundation training is an excellent place to start. Foundation training in this area will familiarize you with all the core concepts of cloud computing, however it is not quite as extensive of a program when compared with that of certification.
Hidden in plain sight
While it might seem like cloud computing is this new force or technology seeking to infiltrate its way into the life of the average person, the truth is that it already has. We’ve all been using cloud computing on a daily basis for quite a while now.
The big question with regards to cloud computing is when is the next phase in its development going to occur? Or perhaps even, where is the next developmental phase of cloud computing going to lead us?