Public Cloud, It's Coming and It's Bringing Sunshine!

Cloud computing is nothing new. While the nomenclature may have changed, the actual service or system simply isn’t anything innovative or unique. Google, for example has been doing it for years.

Despite the fact that the actual system isn’t new, the embrace and the movement to the cloud is absolutely new and impressive. For a very long time, companies were concerned about the cloud and how secure, or insecure, it may be. For that reason as well as others, they didn’t migrate to the cloud as fully or as quickly as they should and could have done to reap the benefits of cloud computing.

Today those concerns seem to be fading in response to the many advances and massive benefits that cloud computing has to offer. That is not to say that cloud computing is vastly more secure than any other type of computing, but it is a great deal more accessible and a lot more convenient. As with many other things, it’s a trade off.

What Exactly is Cloud Computing?

Gmail and Hotmail are forms of cloud computing. They simply were not termed cloud computing. According to PC Mag.com “In the simplest terms, cloud computing means storing and accessing data and programs over the Internet instead of your computer’s hard drive. The cloud is just a metaphor for the Internet. “

What Makes the Cloud Better?

Accessibility for the most part. Being able to collaborate, to integrate, to work, to access and to see all of that data that makes business run better in the same place, at any time, from anywhere–that’s what makes the cloud better for business. Collaboration is far more readily accomplished, sales tools can be shared, emails can be accessed from anywhere at all. That’s a benefit that simply cannot be overlooked.

How Quickly is Cloud Computing Growing?

Cisco, one of the leaders in cloud computing says that Cloud computing is growing at a rate that has been unheard of until now. Currently about 58 percent of data center traffic is cloud based. That will change dramatically and hit about 3/5 in the next three years according to Cisco’s market survey.

The current statistics tell us that very few companies have entirely shifted to the cloud however it seems that the ultimate goal of most companies will be to focus all of hteir business in the cloud over the course of the next few years. Private and hybrid are considered ‘starter cloud’ models projectsions are that the public cloud will–in the end, rule the show. The growth rate is simply astronomical at about a 40 percent growth rate in 2016 as well as a projected growth rate of 44-50% through 2019.

Forbes author, Joe McKendrick comments that ” While the overall cloud workloads are growing at an annual rate (compounded) of 27 percent from 2014 to 2019, the public cloud workloads are going to grow at 44-percent rate from 2014 to 2019, and private cloud workloads will grow at a slower pace of 16 percent from 2014 to 2019. By 2018, they estimate, 56 percent of workloads will be in the public cloud.”

Despite a slow start and a lot of naysayers, it appears that the cloud has arrived. Now that it has, what are the ramifications of not becoming part of the cloud computing phenomenon?

Visit PathfinderSearch.co.uk to access a free New Client Case Study (SaaS) and a Report addressing the questions I am often asked about Retained Search – you won’t even have to give your email address.

If you want to speak with me directly I invite you to schedule a 10 – 15 minute discovery call at PathfinderSearch.acuityscheduling.com to see how we can help you build a world class team or help you make a move to one.

About the author

Bruce Wright is the founder and Managing Director of Pathfinder Executive Search Ltd and has over 14 years Recruiting, Staffing and Executive Search experience. Over 12 years of this has been spent in Executive Search. He has been helping top Enterprise Software companies find senior level executives and helping build world class teams across Europe and North America since 2003. Unlike many Executive Search Professionals who claim to work across borders, he really has placed Senior Professionals with Enterprise Software companies in France, Germany, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands, UK and North America. Often working across borders simultaneously for the same client – this generates a synergy that makes for truly outstanding results. He is also a committed endurance athlete who has competed in challenges around the world, including the infamous Marathon des Sables, Zurich Ironman and the magical Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc. In addition to UTMB he has twice run 100 miles non-stop.