Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Cloud Computing Redux
This article summarizes some of what I wrote recently in an essay on Cloud Computing . It highlights one point -- the benefits of the Cloud are going mostly to individuals and small organizations. Larger organizations haven't caught on yet. There are reasons for that. Security is one, of course, but variability of high-speed networking, conservatism and embedded assets are among others.
The interesting part about this trend is the PC revolution started the same way back in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Individuals started using small computers against the orders of IT managers who were protecting mainframes and dumb terminals. It took about five years for the power of the PC to overcome resistance. It will take that much and perhaps, more, for the same to happen with Cloud Computing. Meanwhile, early adopters will work their way through the problems and gain the benefits.
How many PR practitioners will move to the Cloud? Few. Most work today in large organizations with assets invested in large-scale networks. The ones who will adopt -- are adopting -- are solo practitioners with the courage to cut themselves free. There aren't many of those. PR as an industry has always been slow in the matters of technology.
I would be interested in hearing from anyone who has cut free and works completely in the Cloud. I'm not there yet either. My personal machine was purchased before the Cloud emerged, so I'm still invested in Microsoft Office. The next machine, however...
The interesting part about this trend is the PC revolution started the same way back in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Individuals started using small computers against the orders of IT managers who were protecting mainframes and dumb terminals. It took about five years for the power of the PC to overcome resistance. It will take that much and perhaps, more, for the same to happen with Cloud Computing. Meanwhile, early adopters will work their way through the problems and gain the benefits.
How many PR practitioners will move to the Cloud? Few. Most work today in large organizations with assets invested in large-scale networks. The ones who will adopt -- are adopting -- are solo practitioners with the courage to cut themselves free. There aren't many of those. PR as an industry has always been slow in the matters of technology.
I would be interested in hearing from anyone who has cut free and works completely in the Cloud. I'm not there yet either. My personal machine was purchased before the Cloud emerged, so I'm still invested in Microsoft Office. The next machine, however...
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