Cloud Computing Craze

Until now, the corporate world has had a lot of problems with their IT systems.

• Computer crashes resulting in disrupted workflow
• Slow computers and constant upgrades disrupt workflow
• Data backup infrastructure needs to be implemented
• Software overhead
• Data loss via computer malfunctions, upgrades, or even hardware burglary
• The list goes on…

That’s why there’s such a buzz around cloud computing in corporate circles.

What is cloud computing?

Cloud computing is basically outsourcing your computing needs elsewhere. For example, using Google docs to work collaboratively on documents being stored on Google’s servers, rather than working on a document on your personal computer and emailing it back and forth. Or Customer Management Services that all function on a remote web server.

Some analysts say that cloud computing represents a major shift in the way computing is done in corporations. Merrill Lynch estimates that the annual revenue for cloud computing will increase to $95 billion in the next 5 years. In a May 2008 report, Merrill Lynch estimated that 12% of the worldwide software market would start using cloud technology within that period.

So, the important questions are:

01.Is cloud computing a major part of our long term corporate future?

02.Who will be the major players in the cloud computing market?

03.Will we see cloud computing enter the home market, and to what extent?

My prediction:

In 10-15 years, cloud computing is a major part of our corporate AND home computing futures. With faster internet speeds and advances in web technology, we will begin to see cloud computing perpetrate every aspect of our computing experience - in fact, the whole operating system will operate on a cloud.

Further to this, all our cloud computing will be integrated into a massive push toward web personalisation - an index of our browsing habits and internet identity.

The major players will be Microsoft, Apple, Google and Amazon. Microsoft is already investing in this area with features such a LiveOffice - this software giant isn’t going down any time soon. Apple, despite it’s recent challenges in this area, have launched Mobile Me and will continue to use cloud computing to sync mobile devices, laptops and workstations. As well as this, Apple are unrivalled in their interface design elegance, which is an important part of our future seamless computing experience. Google and Amazon are already major players in cloud computing, and will continue to extend their services. Google in particular will be a major innovator, as they have been in the past.