The cost of IT (hardware or software) is ever increasing in our day and age….or so it feels at least. The past 20 years have moved at the speed of light but the one biggest IT inventions of the past 20 years has been the internet. Can any of us predict the next evolution or progression of this technology? I know I can’t.
One should however, question how the internet can add value in one’s life? Now I think we can all quickly answer:
- I no longer need to spend hours in a library to research encyclopaedias, I can just “Google it”.
- I can store all my media on my Facebook profile (photo albums do not need to sit on a shelf gathering dust).
- I have a voice through Mixit, Twitter, Gmail etc.
With all this said, the new kid on the block is called “cloud computing”. What is cloud computing? It is not a piece of soft cotton I can tell you that.
Cloud computing refers to services available on the internet, usually at no charge…such as Facebook, Google etc. Until recently, cloud computing has been directed at the individual more so than companies. This however is changing and it is changing at a rapid pace. We now need to educate ourselves about cloud computing and what exactly is available.
The purpose of this piece is to inform you that one of the most basic and most used software platforms is now available in “the cloud”. That’s right; you can get Microsoft Office online. You no longer need to buy Microsoft Office. All you require is an internet connection and voilà, Bob’s your uncle. Microsoft Office is free on the cloud!
Brilliant isn’t it? Well that depends whether you have quality bandwidth and access to it at all times. As indicated above, the only thing you need (besides a computer) is an internet connection when you want to use it. So that is the catch 22.
I hope that the CFOs’ and Financial Directors’ ears are peaking up, as this is significant. Imagine all the software costs that companies can save if this is structured correctly. Yearly licence fees will be something of the past. Want to test it for yourself? Go to Skydrive info. Create your own Windows Live ID today and start testing it (http://skydrive.live.com/). This is just s taste of what is available on the cloud.
Just remember, you need a quality, uninterrupted internet connection to make this work. We have a responsibility today to invest in robust telecommunication infrastructure for our children and their children.
Enjoy the cloud!!!
Alec Candiotes
Chief Financial Officer
