Do you know if your IT department is fluent in cloud technology?

Cloud computing has been around for quite a while but it took some years before it became part of everyday language. When Amazon created Amazon Web Services (AWS) in 2006 it became clear that cloud computing was not only here to stay, but knowing how cloud computing could be utilized would be the key to the future. Initially, it might have seemed like there weren't many cases where the cloud could be used successfully, but it's hard to imagine our current technological world without the cloud.

An Evolving Workforce Looks to the Cloud

With that in mind it might be surprising to learn that many tech workers aren't pursuing cloud based skills. Pluralsight, a tech workforce development company recently released their 2022 State of the Cloud Report that shows that only 8% of global tech workers have cloud related skills - a deficit like that can have far reaching impact when so many products and services are becoming remotely based. Many companies before COVID didn't think of working remotely as something they could accomplish. It seems that the future wasn't so far off after all - having a mobile workforce that can work from anywhere has become integral for many workplaces and now that they've tasted the freedom it affords, employees are reluctant to give it up.

The skill gaps in cloud technologies in tech staff are interesting; however, what's more important is that organizations need to understand why these gaps exist. The reason behind this is simple: people don't want to change. If you're looking to improve your organization's ability to use cloud technology, then you'll need to make sure that your employees are comfortable with the changes. This means making sure that your employees are trained properly and that they feel confident using new tools.

Cloud computing isn't only useful for your team, storing your company's proprietary software and sensitive files in an off-site cloud server is even safer than keeping them at your office. As a result of ransomware attacks, hackers now tend to focus on targeting businesses with valuable information locally held, knowing that for every hour your data stays offline, you lose time and revenue.

Artificial Intelligence in cloud computing will also play a major role in the way we interact with technology in the coming years. While AI may seem scary to some people, it's important to remember that it's just another tool in your arsenal. The more you use it, the better you'll get at using it. In fact, one study found that "AI" actually means different things to different people. For example, some people think of AI as a computer program, whereas others think of it as a machine learning algorithm or a neural network. Regardless of what you call it, AI is already being put into practice by organizations such as Google, Facebook, Microsoft, IBM, and Salesforce. 

Cloud Computing is Already Changing the World Around Us

What does this mean for your company? If you're looking to become more agile and flexible, then learning about cloud technologies will help you do just that. Cloud computing allows you to store your data anywhere and access it from any computer or mobile phone. It makes scaling your resources quick and painless. This means that you don't need to worry about buying new servers or hiring additional staff to handle peak load times.

Cloud computing is subtly changing the world around us by optimizing our interactions with just about everything. Cloud computing allows retailers to keep track of inventory and minimize waste by ensuring they always have enough of the right products in store. Healthcare is no different. Telemedicine has allowed doctors to save both time and resources by allowing them to provide care remotely. Real-time active monitoring of industrial equipment using the Internet of Things (IoT) can help prevent major failures before they occur. Given all of these things, why don't IT pros see cloud services as a desirable skill set? What's the disconnect?

Gearing your Workforce for a Distributed Future

The answer lies in the fact that most people, even techs, still associate cloud computing with "the cloud." While there are plenty of benefits to using cloud technology, it's important to understand that cloud computing is more than simply putting your data into the cloud. There are three main components to cloud computing: infrastructure, platform, and applications. Infrastructure refers to the physical hardware that makes up the cloud. Platform refers to the operating system and programming language that runs on top of the infrastructure. Applications refer to the actual programs that run on the cloud. You probably already have most of the things mentioned here in place, but they're all located locally; isolated in private computer systems that can break down and lead to lost productivity. By allowing an MSP like iTecs to migrate your information and programs into our secure equipment, you're not only getting the benefit of security and faster operation, you are also able to scale your business much quicker without having to worry about equipment costs bottlenecking your progress.

To fully benefit from cloud computing, it's essential to understand how each component works best for your company. Most internal IT departments don't really have time for these sorts of broader strategic plans and initiatives that would greatly benefit their companies. iTecs understands the importance of agile scaling and high-performance computing for any company regardless of its size or industry. By prioritizing infrastructure expansion, we help our clients achieve their goals faster than ever before.

Learn More About Our Cloud Services

iTecs offers a wide range of services designed to give you the flexibility you need to grow your business. We offer managed hosting, cybersecurity, disaster recovery, backup, and consulting services. All of these services are available at competitive rates that are customized to your needs, so you'll be able to focus on growing your business rather than worrying about keeping your systems running smoothly. 

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