Computer Cloud Industry in 2018
The cloud
industry is really taking over the computer world. Whether this is good or bad
is yet to be determined, but the cloud seems to be here to say. Simply, the
cloud computing involves using hardware that is in another location from the
business. Instead of going to that computer system room down the hall, today's
cloud users simply go to a laptop and retrieve what they want. The cloud
encourages companies to simply rent their storage space and the software that
powers their business. Since they don't actually see this software or
equipment, it is like it is hidden in a cloud.
Start of the Computer Cloud Industry
The original
cloud industry took off about the year 2000. This can represent a cost savings
for even a small business. However, the users of cloud services are restricted
to the services provided by their cloud provider. Most cloud companies require
contracts, preventing a company from easily moving to another company. After a
time, the cloud industry noticed that some companies were unable to completely
convert to the cloud. This might have to do with their product or legacy
agreements. Now, the greatest area of cloud growth is in hybrid cloud systems.
Major Cloud Companies
The major
players in the cloud have been Microsoft and Amazon. Stepping into the breach
is Oracle, which has a new adaptation that features all three parts of the
cloud in one place. Generally, cloud companies have focused on one area of the
cloud: platform as storage, software platforms or infrastructure. Oracle is
planning to provide all three services with their all-in-one platform. If
successful, this will push other cloud companies to make a choice about whether
to provide one or all three platforms.
The Computer Cloud Industry Today
What this
means for the future is open to question. At this time, the cloud industry is
selling itself by saving the industry IT costs. It offers the hope that the
cloud will become easy to use and that a company will no longer need to employ
IT departments. However, once the cloud does take over the industry, the
question is what happens to the price point. At this time, the cloud can and
probably will charge as much as the market can bare. This may not be the best
choice for each company. It is also expected that choice will be limited, most
likely with only several cloud companies ending up in control of the networks.
A good
example is the Microsoft Office software. I use this in my work, and use to buy
a new copy when I absolutely had no choice. Thanks to the cloud, my option is
to "rent" Microsoft Office for a calendar year. Every year the
computer cloud industry operated by Microsoft insists I spend money. Yes, I
always have the newest software. But, do I need or want this level of support?
This is the choice most businesses are on the process of making for their
future.
Future of the Cloud
Clearly, the
cloud is here to stay. At this time, it is cheaper for many businesses, and it
is cheaper for the providers of the cloud services. The cloud providers can
build their data warehouses almost anywhere, and usually chose areas that are
less expensive than Silicon Valley. However, users of the cloud must continue
to supply pressure for the cloud industry to keep their costs at reasonable
levels by supporting a variety of cloud platforms.
