"The Cloud" and what impact it actually has or will have on localized IT is yet to be seen. By the time the cloud becomes reality, it will be far different than anything we think of today and may impact IT completely, partially, or not at all - and it really will be a business decision which impact level it has. Instead of being concerned what the future holds (i.e., the cloud is still in beta in most respects), take this time to become proficient in today's technology. If your company is still supporting apps that are 10 years old, sitting on Windows XP (or earlier) with no plans to migrate, and still tracking hardware and software licenses in a spreadsheet, the cloud is probably going to be a cost effective and enticing option. But, if you spend the time now (waiting for the cloud to be something valuable and secure) to make your organization's IT efficient, eliminating costs, becoming energy compliant, the cloud may actually be a more expensive option when decision time comes. Not only will you potentially save the company stacks of money, but you'll get the type of experience you'll need for the new and emerging IT business and you can write your own ticket.
From: Andrew S. Baker [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, June 27, 2011 2:54 PM To: NT System Admin Issues Subject: Re: Be Very Wary of "The Cloud"... "The Cloud" definitely facilitates additional sourcing options, but the idea that it allows any successful or intelligent organization to get rid of IT is a myth. Certainly, the people in the IT department whose only value is the local management of systems are at risk, just as they have been over time as different IT jobs have become commoditized by technology. Far less organizations (of any size) have a dedicated help desk team anymore, and those whose only skill was helpdesk were left by the wayside. Learn new skills, or go home. IT is one of the best places to work, despite having some of the most annoying working conditions (on some level), but the more you know, the better you can control your own destiny. IT departments that embrace cloud computing where appropriate (it doesn't have to be all or nothing) will find that they have other ways to contribute to the business, and can be much more flexible in the services they deliver/provide to their organization. I'm going to be presenting a webinar on Thursday about this very issue: http://www.focus.com/webcasts/information-technology/common-cloud-misconcept ions/ IT leaders/managers manage technology, people and relationships (interdepartmental AND vendor). The cloud and other sourcing options simply change the ratios allocated to each of these areas directly... Many of the arguments leveled against the cloud, were leveled against the web before it, and against PC-based computing before that, and against mini computing before that. The cloud is coming (actually, it's already here), it suitable for various use cases. As technology professionals, we can determine how to mitigate the risks that this technology provides, while still reaping most of the benefits for our organizations. Or, we can gripe and resist, and be replaced by people who can make it happen in a reasonable way. Either way, jobs might get lost. The first option allows more control of what jobs, though... Also, the cloud works just fine when the systems involved are still in the US (or Europe, if you happen to need it to be there) ASB (Professional Bio <http://about.me/Andrew.S.Baker/bio> ) Harnessing the Advantages of Technology for the SMB market... On Mon, Jun 27, 2011 at 1:07 PM, Jon D <[email protected]> wrote: Except it's a slippery slope. Don't really need an IT Manager if there's no one to manage. On Mon, Jun 27, 2011 at 12:06 PM, Ken Schaefer <[email protected]> wrote: > Whatever. If some guy can do a job for 1/2 the cost of another guy, I would be stupid to pay 2x for the second guy. Find some reason why I should pay 2x - whether that be data sovereignty, or because the second guy brings more to the field. Otherwise ,it's no different to having two job applicants except one wants to be paid 2x as much. > > -----Original Message----- > From: Jon D [mailto:[email protected]] > Sent: Monday, 27 June 2011 9:44 PM > To: NT System Admin Issues > Subject: Re: Be Very Wary of "The Cloud"... > > The Cloud is just another name for outsoucing. > If the cloud takes hold, datacenters will quick enough move to China/India and the IT profession in the US will be dead. > A few cisco guys will be left over to keep the internet up, and that's about it. > > Fight the cloud! ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ <http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/> ~ --- To manage subscriptions click here: http://lyris.sunbelt-software.com/read/my_forums/ or send an email to [email protected] with the body: unsubscribe ntsysadmin ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ <http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/> ~ --- To manage subscriptions click here: http://lyris.sunbelt-software.com/read/my_forums/ or send an email to [email protected] with the body: unsubscribe ntsysadmin
