Cloud computing pioneer and The Art of Service CEO Ivanka Menken
The cloud levels the playing field, giving smaller businesses the computing power of their larger counterparts, but at a fraction of the cost.
San Jose, California (PRWEB) October 06, 2011
Cloud computing may hold the key to economic recovery by fostering the growth of small businesses, according to cloud computing pioneer Ivanka Menken.
Menken, CEO of The Art of Service, said that while the government works to create viable job creation and economic growth, the rapid deployment of cloud technologies may serve as a driver for economic development.
In addition to her own research, Menken cites other recent studies. According to the Software and Information Industry Association, a study conducted in Europe by Federico Etro, a member of the Department of Economics, University of Venice Ca’ Foscari,, found that the rapid dispersal of cloud computing platforms may lead to as many as 400,000 new small and medium sized businesses forming within five years.
Another study, conducted by London’s Centre for Economic and Business Research, looked at the impact the cloud could have on the business environment in five European countries – France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom. The estimated impact by 2015 is the creation of more than 2 million jobs with an economic impact of more than 177 billion Euros (U.S. $241 billion).
“The cloud empowers small and medium-sized businesses by controlling IT costs and offering flexibility in computer infrastructure, software, and services that might otherwise be financially out of reach,” said Ivanka Menken, founder and CEO of The Art of Service, the leading education service provider for IT professionals.
She said cloud computing also allows small businesses to scale as needed, deploy projects more quickly, and reduce the need, and expense, of maintenance.
“The cloud levels the playing field, giving smaller businesses the computing power of their larger counterparts, but at a fraction of the cost,” said Menken. “This allows smaller companies to do what they do best, which is focus on being innovative and serving their customers.”
Just as in Europe, these cost factors can drive a growth in the creation of small and mid-sized businesses in the United States, just as they are doing in Europe. The “business backbone” of the United States is small business, so cloud computing can provide a powerful impetus for strengthening the economy, noted Menken.
Menken said companies seeking to reap the benefits of cloud computing will need trained and educated IT professionals who know how to navigate and successfully deploy cloud platforms. This is the reason The Art of Service developed the Cloud Computing Foundation Program, which has become the leading certification for IT professionals seeking to be successful with managing cloud computing services.
The Art of Service has a comprehensive offering of education solutions geared toward the busy IT professional. AOS instructors are experienced in classroom-style delivery, boardroom-style executive coaching, on-the-job training and online virtual support for remote students.
About The Art of Service
As a cutting-edge IT service framework company, The Art of Service is leading the way in providing high end, client-focused books, toolkits and online and classroom education programs. The company is one of the most trusted sources globally for the career-driven IT professional. For more information, visit www.theartofservice.net.
About the Founder
Ivanka Menken is the founder and CEO of The Art of Service. Menken has spearheaded the company’s Cloud Computing Certification Scheme that is becoming the industry benchmark.