Did you know that the concept behind “cloud computing” dates back to the 1960s? CNBC traces the etymology of the term back to flowcharts using a cloud symbol to denote the internet.
Moving business processes and services online has increased in predominance over the past couple of decades. The onset of the current pandemic is rendering it well-nigh indispensable.
Business parlance in the 2020s defines “cloud computing” or “cloud services” as software, data storage and networks that are accessible through the internet at any given time. They differ from “traditional” digital services in how cloud computing doesn’t require users to install software into a single site-specific device, or store data onsite.
Let’s take a quick look at the most popular forms of cloud computing, how they benefit businesses, which industries are leveraging them, and how upskilling can help more people play a pivotal part in a growing cloud-based economy.
The 4 aaS’
Cloud services vary according to the degree of flexibility given to users for customising design and functionality, or the level of complexity at which users would need advanced technical know-how.
- SaaS or Software as a Service is probably the most familiar category of cloud services, examples of which include Zoom, Slack and Salesforce. It’s the easiest to use but offers little room for customisation.
- PaaS or Platform as a Service is most often used for developing and running applications, examples of which include Amazon Web Services (AWS) Acquia, and Heroku. The way it lets users run other applications together with the platform itself makes it more flexible than SaaS.
- IaaS or Infrastructure as a Service is frequently used for developing entire systems and as such, includes operating systems, servers and networks. Users will need a high level of expertise to set things up in the backend as needed, but will have a lot more flexibility in terms of customisation than PaaS. Examples of these include services offered by IBM, Datrium, and DigitalOcean.
- DaaS or Desktop as a Service, AKA “virtual desktop” or “cloud desktop,” provides a desktop that may be accessed from anywhere along with all the applications and data-saving functionalities users have on an actual desktop or a laptop computer. The level of customisation for these desktops depends on whether they are owned or used internally within a single business entity, or publicly by several organisations. These include services offered by Amazon, Microsoft and Citrix.
Cloud computing in the time of Covid
With both their customers and their teams spending more time at home, organisations—particularly those involved in e-commerce—have turned to the cloud to keep their businesses going.
ZDNet quotes a Gartner exec pointing out how organisations have had to focus on saving cash and optimising their IT costs while supporting a remote workforce. It also reports how almost 70% of organisations using cloud services today plans to increase spending on it by 18.4% in 2021 following the pandemic-driven disruption.
Even before the pandemic, cloud computing has offered immense benefits to businesses that have become all the more instrumental during the current situation. These benefits include cost-effectiveness, enhanced customer experiences, facilitated business scaling, streamlined collaboration, automatic updates, and improved access to tech support and consultancy.
Salesforce quotes Dell as saying that companies that invest in big data, cloud, mobility and security enjoy up to 53% faster revenue growth than their competitors. Salesforce also points out how 94% of businesses claimed they saw an improvement in security after switching to the cloud, and that 91% said the cloud makes it easier to meet government compliance requirements.
Cloud computing across industries
While it’s easy to see how cloud computing benefits businesses in general, the need for it to be adapted to specific industrial requirements may not be as readily appreciated. Industries with strict regulations that govern data sharing and storage, for instance, or organisations with legacy systems may find it difficult to move their operations online.
Thanks to advances in cloud computing, however, more and more industries have been able to take advantage of the different “aaS’” and make things better for their staff, customers and partners.
- Automotive companies use the cloud for their inventories and to make it easier for customers to shop for new vehicles or spare parts.
- Banking, Finance and Insurance use cloud computing for fintech and the digitisation of services such as billing and payments, engaging with clients, and for the development of solutions that enable financial inclusion.
- Education uses the cloud for giving students easy access to reference material and online classes, particularly during the pandemic. Get a closer look at how cloud computing is transforming this industry, here.
- Entertainment companies use the cloud to reach wider audiences at lower cost via streaming services.
- Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals use the cloud for centralising data and research as well as safeguarding patient privacy with the help of the newest cloud computing advancements. Find further details of cloud computing use in this industry, here.
- Hospitality uses the cloud to make it easier for guests to book, enjoy and evaluate their stay and to boost the efficiency of their operations.
- Legal Services leverage the cloud’s capacity for big data storage and management.
- Manufacturing companies benefit greatly from cloud services that manage huge databases and reduce operating expenses across multiple facilities.
- Non-profits use cloud computing to minimise expenses as well as manage operations.
- Real Estate companies use cloud solutions to manage property listings and facilitate access to information, interactions with clients, and efficient marketing.
- Retail uses the cloud to keep tabs on consumer behaviour for creating better customer experiences, developing new products or services, and improving marketing campaigns, and managing sales data and inventories, as well.
Upskilling for cloud computing
As cloud computing continues to evolve, industries have recognised the need for professionals to acquire the necessary skills and to continuously update their skillsets to thrive in a cloud-based work environment.
Amazon, for instance, aims to train 29 million people in cloud computing by 2025 to help them find jobs, which they may have lost during the pandemic. Fresh trainees will be better equipped at finding entry-level support positions, while those with cloud computing backgrounds will have deepened their knowledge and unlocked more career opportunities.
Understanding Big Data with Cloud Computing is one of the six mandatory modules that make up the Advanced Certificate in Applied Data Analytics programme at SMU Academy.
Programme participants will be introduced to large scale data analysis with cloud computing using virtual machines deployed on the AWS cloud. They will also develop the analytical mindset needed for honing their technical data analysis and evaluation skills.
A practical capstone project will also allow them to showcase their Python and Data Analysis competencies.
Learn more about the programme and prepare to move forward with the advanced cloud computing and data analytics skills needed to flourish online in these especially challenging times.
