Cloud Computing Future

Years ago I had a computer store. We built our own custom computers and then sold them via the store outlet. It was a booming business and there was always something new on the horizon. I saw the migration from 286, to 386, to 486 and finally the Pentium line of processors. It was an exciting time as technology evolved as well as the operating systems which supported them. I remember thinking in the early 90′s… with the advent of the Pentium processor, the end user would have more than they would ever need in processing power. I was correct at the time. Now, instead of the technology evolving, it is the user evolving. The user now drives the technology, instead of the technology driving the user. This user-centric focus is continually shaping the IT and Communications marketplace. Users don’t think of technology as much as what capabilities the technology will give them.

The new user has become a mobile dynamo with WiFi and high speed broadband through LTE and 4GL. Computing platforms have become compact and easily transported. But, there is a drawback. There is basically no computing power. For the mobile worker who needs a platform that can perform as a standard desktop or in some cases, a server, the mobile phone and tablet leave a lot to be desired. What is the answer to a user who needs extra computing power and flexibility?

Cloud Computing Advances

Cloud computing offers the single most advanced platform that has been introduced since the Pentium processor. It offers unlimited storage through a service using virtualized pools in data centers all over the world. SkyDrive is a perfect example of this type of storage. In addition to the cloud storage, there is Platform as a Service a/k/a PaaS which offers multiple solutions to any computing problem.

PaaS is basically a virtual machine running an operating system which executes the software the user configures. As an example, one might configure a PaaS solution to correlate sales data from several retail outlets and then generate demographic data as well as projected sales data in order to improve revenue for a business enterprise. There is no need to buy servers, software, databases, etc., as it is all virtual and the user need only pay on an as needed basis. No more need to continually upgrade hardware and software as the cloud provider will have the latest and greatest from the developer so that the user will always be on the cutting edge of technology.

Cloud Computing Future

All of this can be scheduled and run from a simple tablet. In addition, reports can be generated and configured to be used in presentations which can be controlled by the tablet. The user can have any server configuration at their disposal for all their enterprise needs. Cloud offers connectivity through virtual networking and can easily pipe data to any number of areas on the globe. No need to worry about proximity latency as several cloud providers offer a ‘smart’ data flow enhancement that places the data locally whenever needed. Cloud presents practical solutions to the new entrepreneur with a myriad of methods to help run their business. It is the next step in the evolution of computing just as the Pentium Processor was twenty years ago.