There’s a massive gap between the reality of cloud computing and its perception.
But if you aren’t closely involved with technology, you could be forgiven for being unaware of this dramatic and fundamental shift in how our world processes digital information.
The average person has zero idea about cloud computing.
According to recent information from Wakefield Research, 95% of North Americans who “are sure” they never use the cloud actually do.
Many business people feel that cloud computing is “just hype” and one-third of those surveyed believed cloud computing was coming “in the future.” Incredibly, half of those surveyed believed that stormy weather interfered with cloud computing!
Truth is, the future is now. More than 65% of us bank online, 63% shop online, 58% use social networking sites, 45% play online games, 29% store photos online, 22% store music or videos online and 19% use online file-sharing. Each of these applications is a cloud-based service.
Cloud computing touches everyone who uses a computing device and is the happy result of converging of Internet, software and computing technology advances.
Cloud computing’s starting point lies in the physical infrastructure that makes up the Internet: the web of servers, linkages, connectors, routers and endless miles of telephone wire and undersea cables.
And that’s as it should be: when the Internet works, it’s supposed to be invisible. So to explain it, we conjure up a nebulous image of something in the sky – later called “the cloud.” But there’s nothing cosmic or mysterious about the cloud. It’s merely a remote computer network that stores, accesses and shares data from Internet-connected devices, serving up powerful applications and data as needed.
By delivering software as a service (“SaaS”), the cloud powers a self-service environment that delivers highly scalable applications, with always-available computing power and billing tailored to usage levels.
SaaS is now the dominant method of delivery for modern business applications.
Businesses love the benefits of SaaS adoption: CFOs like the faster-cheaper-easier aspect and productivity gains; CIOs relish the back-end flexibility, easy upgrades, backups and – vitally – seamless interface to multiple locations with other operating systems and computing devices.
Motivators for consumers and business to adopting cloud computing include cost savings, user accessibility, efficient resource use, security, flexibility, scalability and innovation.
Cloud computing has levelled the playing field for companies selling software. It’s now possible for a small Canadian company to profitably deliver innovative software whose functionality appeals to global customers.
Further, the agility and speed of cloud computing transforms business practices themselves – informing everything from marketing tactics to financial metrics to quality assurance to financing strategies.
A few B.C. companies sell true cloud-based SaaS globally: Vision Critical’s community platform Sparq, HootSuite marketing automation and ResponseTek customer experience management are the most established.
Promising new local players include Clio (legal industry), Checkfront (booking management), Indicee (business intelligence), Kashoo (accounting), Rezgo (booking) and Tasktop (task management).
According to University of Ottawa professor Michael Geist, Canada enjoys a global competitive advantage with cloud computing.
“Canada is well positioned to become a cloud computing leader. We already have much of the technical and privacy infrastructure in place, we are in close proximity to the U.S.A., and our privacy legislation meets international standards.”
The cloud computing train has left the station. And the data has definitely left the building.
