Cloud Computing and IT Jobs
Cloud computing is at
an early stage, with many new providers large and small delivering
different cloud-based services, from storage services to spam filtering.
[1] When a company purchases new computers, instead of installing a
suite of software for each computer, they would only have to load one
application. That application would allow workers to log into a
Web-based service which hosts all the programs the user would need for
his or her job. Machines owned by another company and a completely
different location would be maintaining most of the company’s software.
[2] Many jobs will change because of cloud computing. Some job roles
will likely have reduced demand, some will have more demand, and even
some new jobs will be created. [3]
Some jobs in the IT
industry are predicted to have less demand in the future, with
organizations moving their systems to cloud services. Since much of a
company’s hardware and software would shift to an external cloud
provider, there will be less demand or jobs such as system
administrators and database administrators. But on the other hand, there
will be jobs opening up at the cloud provider’s location. [3] The
article “Effect of cloud computing on future IT jobs” described an
interview between the writer of the article and Rick Chapman, the
Founder of SaaS University, managing editor of Softletter and author of
the just released book SaaS Entrepreneur: The Definitive Guide to Success in Your Cloud Application Business. Their discussion looked at the use of software as a service (SaaS) within IT and its future effect on IT jobs. SaaS is a software delivery model in which software and associated data are centrally hosted on the cloud. [4] “Rick’s
belief is that the number of jobs within IT will decrease over the next
ten to twenty years. This is the case because many of the systems
previously developed and/or purchased and supported by IT staff members
will eventually be replaced by SaaS (cloud) based applications which do
not require internal IT staff.” [5]
Jobs with continued demand are IT project managers, business analysts, and software developers.
The IT project managers will still be required to manage teams and will
need to become versed in cloud computing. Business analysts will be
required to know software not included within the cloud. Software
developers will be needed simply because softeware will still need to be
created. [3]
“Several studies,
including one article published by Forbes, state that many new jobs will
be created as a result of the cloud. New companies will be formed to
provide cloud computing and other related services. New job titles will
be created.” As mentioned before, new jobs will be opening at the
cloud providers as more and more companies use them. Roles that have
appeared is that of a cloud architect. A cloud architect is someone
who has knowledge of Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) and cloud
concepts, as well as enterprise architect skills. It will also be
important for companies to have a liaison between them and the cloud
provider in order to maintain communication between the two entities.
[3]
In conclusion, the
implementation of cloud computing will cause a shift in the job market.
Some job roles will be reduced, some will have more demand, and new jobs
will be created. In the IT profession, it is important to keep
educating yourself on the new technology developed so when companies
move toward new software, like cloud computing, they will keep the
employees with the most knowledge of the product or an employee will be
able to transition to a new company, like the cloud provider.
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