What Virtualization and Cloud Technology Have To Offer

The other day, I was having a telephone conversation with my father about cloud computing and how it can revolutionize the way business processes are implemented. My father, being a successful businessman for most of his life, was only vaguely familiar with what virtualization and cloud technology are and the benefits they have. I believe it goes without being said that cloud computing is the way of the future and if you aren’t comfortable with it upon entering a business setting, you will be left behind.

Virtualization and cloud technology were recently listed as the #1 and #2 strategic technology trends way back in 2009 by technology research firm Gartner Inc. Based on that list; it appears that they were dead on looking at today’s current business environment and into the future.

According to Wendy Perilli, a writer at Virtualization Journal, cloud computing, in its most simple definition,  is “the ability to acquire or deliver a resource on demand, configured however the users chooses, and paid for according to consumption”. Implementing these cloud systems allow for increased efficiency and apparent benefits.

The benefits to cloud technology and virtualization emerge in clear form. While there are more benefits then I will discuss within this article, there are some worth taking a peek at to show how cloud computing and virtualization are driving business decisions and helping increase efficiency.

Benefits of Cloud Technology

The first major benefit of cloud technology is the cost reduction. Businesses run on efficiency. One way efficiency can be derived is through the idea of cost reduction. Having the ability to pay incrementally for data storage and information hubs saves businesses unneeded costs, allowing for increased profitability and flexibility.

With the global business environment continually evolving, it is important to acknowledge that it is now, more than ever, imperative that businesses set up a global framework in which to run their businesses. Cloudcomputing and virtualization allow this to happen by increasing mobility and ease of transfer of information through a business. Employees within a firm can access information wherever they are, rather than having to remain at their desks to access that same information.
This increase in mobility, flexibility and efficiency will allow for business IT departments to shift their focus on innovation, rather than dedicating time and resources to constant server issues and other computing issues.

ERP and the Cloud

In my Senior Business Policy course, our professor spends a good chunk of time focusing on information technology and the role that it plays in business. Within this dialogue, he puts an emphasis on looking at ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems within firms that we plan on applying to for jobs coming out of college. His suggestion to us as we pursue career options is to ask the firm what type of ERP and cloud computing system that they have implemented. He then offered us a warning by saying that if the interviewer is unable to answer the question or is not aware of an ERP system in place; it might be beneficial to look elsewhere for job opportunities because after long, the sustainability of the business will be questioned, with the real possibility of you, as a fresh college grad, having to look for another job.

The world is moving at a much faster pace in a competitive, global environment. Virtualization and cloud computing are essential assets to have as businesses move forward. It does and will continue to make business better. In the words of T. Alan Armstrong, “If you are not getting better, you are getting left behind.” The new age of Information Technology is constantly evolving. Don’t get left behind.

Author: James King
School of Business Management
Whitworth University