The 'Cloud' Is Rolling In
On a very basic level, I use the cloud on a regular basis. If I’m writing a blog or working on a document that I might want to access from home, a coffee shop or even an airport, I store my document through Google Docs, and I am assured that I can access that project from any Web-connected area, from any Web-connect device.
While my use of the cloud is based more on the convenience of having access to my work wherever I am, for businesses, connecting to the cloud is becoming less of a novelty and more of a mandate for an efficient workforce on the go.
I recently listened to a webinar about how the cloud impacts IT. Its audience consisted of medium to large businesses that may have their own IT departments and the ability to connect without utilizing a service provider. One of the most important messages to the audience that presenter Phil Wainwright, a software industry analyst, blogger and consultant, shared was, “Businesses must connect (to the cloud) to compete. … If you’re not getting your IT in a position to support all of this, then your business is going to fall behind.”
That’s a pretty strong mindset, but one that is being adopted by more and more people today. When you think about being able to print documents, share projects and access specific business information while out on a service call or sales meeting, it’s obvious the instant information at your fingertips could help close deals, make you more efficient, and ultimately positively impact your bottom line.
Based on the information from the webinar, though, many companies’ IT departments are struggling with integrating the cloud into their business. Challenges that Wainwright addressed were with infrastructure, support and management. This is where companies like yours can step in.
When it comes to the cloud, the role of service providers should be “providing the skills and assistance that’s going to be needed to make sure that integration, governance and infrastructure takes shape in the right way,” Wainwright said. Much like finding the pain points in managed print, the cloud offers many opportunities for service provides to step in and relieve the client’s pain.
“The cloud can have hugely transformative effects,” Wainwright said. “If you’re not already in the mindset to take advantage of the cloud and harness its capabilities, then your organization is going to miss out.” I think this applies not only to end users but also service providers like you.
Posted by Katherine Fernelius on 10/07/2011