Pacific Coast Informer Blog

6000 New Jobs in Metro Vancouver by 2015 due to Cloud Computing Growth

In the last week, both the Vancouver Sun and Business in Vancouver (BIV) reveal strong job growth in the technology sector. The Vancouver Sun reports that Metro Vancouver is expected to gain 6,000 jobs by 2015 due to cloud computing growth, based on research for Microsoft by International Data Corporation (IDC). The IDC foresees 20 per cent annual job growth related to cloud services through 2015 in Vancouver. Small and medium sized businesses will add at least 2,900 new jobs, while large-scale companies will add more than 3,000 new workers, as a result of cloud technology*.

The forecast on the Cloud computing growth is based on the fact that at least 75 per cent of information technology (IT) spending is consumed by maintenance of cash-eating legacy computing systems and “routine upgrades. John Weigelt, national technology officer for Microsoft Canada, said in Vancouver that it’s a philosophical shift — and a financial one — as opposed to a technology issue.

The IDC is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets. It has a network of over 1000 analysts in Canada providing expertise on technology, industry opportunities and trends in Canada.

In the BIV, “Tech Job Wars Heat up BC”, Microsoft was included in the line-up of technology employers seeking to hire large numbers of new staff, alongside Hootsuite, Electronic Arts and Amazon. In the bi-annual BCTIA survey, IT jobs grew 12% from 2010 to 2011, adding back all jobs lost in the 2009 recession. The sector is also expected to add 3,000 new jobs in 2012 and over 10,000 new jobs by 2015. These numbers are significantly impacted by cloud computing growth.

Finally, we spoke to an IT recruiter who confirmed that developers who are certified for Microsoft SharePoint and have experience are in demand in Metro Vancouver. These highly specialized technology skills are hard to source for portal solutions on the Cloud.  

For Microsoft Cloud reports and SharePoint case studies, visit www.pcis.com/about-us/cloud-whitepapers.htm.



* Source: http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Cloud+computing+will+touch+global+boom/6260828/story.html

** Source: BIV.com (Feb 28 to Mar 5, 2012)  

Enterprise Cloud Computing Growing Rapidly

The global cloud computing statistics point to rapid growth. The global cloud computing market is expected to be more than $241 billion in 2020, according to Forrester forecast data reported in “Sizing The Cloud” by Stefan Ried, Ph.D. and Holger Kisker, Ph.D.* Furthermore, twenty- eight percent of U.S. organizations are using cloud computing today, according to a recent report by CDW, a provider of technology products and services to business, government, education and healthcare.

80% of Fortune 500 companies in the private sector are already using IBM Cloud Computing capabilities. At the IBM Cloud Symposium on November 30, 2011, IBM revealed its study that more than 3,000 global CIOs said that 60 percent of their organizations are ready to embrace cloud computing over the next five years as a means of growing their businesses and achieving competitive advantage.  

Cloud Computing Statistics Show Fastest Growth with SMBs

However, 54% of 7052 respondents in a recent survey conducted by LinkedIn said security is a top deterrent for many businesses looking to use cloud computing in their company. This was also expressed as a main concern in our post with the top three security concerns in “Security is Still a Major Concern for Cloud Computing”. The survey included 5,300 organizations—from small businesses to large enterprises—across 38 countries.  

Inspite of concerns about security, we believe the cloud computing statistics show the fastest growth among the small to mid-size business market (SMBs). According to Gaebler**, nearly half of SMBs report an intention to pursue cloud-based business intelligence over the next twelve months due to the need for better, faster and more accurate business data. There is increasing numbers of SMBs that are incorporating business intelligence tools into their reporting agendas, often within the cloud.

For cloud services for SMBs, visit www.pcis.com/about-us/cloud-whitepapers.htm.



* Source: http://statspotting.com/2011/05/cloud-computing-statistics-how-big-is-the-cloud-exactly/
** Source: http://www.gaebler.com/News/Small-Business-Technology/SMB-Business-Intelligence-migrating-to-the-cloud-900000091.htm

Government Cloud Computing in the UK and Canada

The UK government has launched the G-Cloud framework as a procurement initiative to save the UK government £120 million by 2014. Developed in only four weeks, the CloudStore offers more than 1,700 cloud-based products and services from more than 250 vendors. UK government agencies will find Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), Software as a Service (SaaS) and Specialist services, such as configuration, management and monitoring.*

At the 2011 IBM Cloud Symposium we attended as an IBM Business Partner, http://www.pcis.com/web/vvblog.nsf/dx/IBM-Cloud-Computing-for-a-Smarter-Planet-in-Vancouver) speakers announced the IBM offering for cloud computing for the Canadian government. Governments are sensitive about privacy so they need cloud solutions within their own country. IBM SmartCloud Social Collaboration for Government enables government agencies to leverage cloud infrastructure standards, virtual resources, and automated processes in a secure environment. For more information about IBM government cloud computing, visit http://www-01.ibm.com/software/lotus/cloud/government/.

High Adoption for Cloud Computing with Fortune 500 Companies  

In the private sector, 80% of Fortune 500 companies are using IBM Cloud Computing capabilities. And as a result, most enterprises have reduced IT operating budgets by an average of 36% over the past year in 2011 according to Forrester.

However, according to an interview with Duncan Stewart, co-author of Deloitte’s 2012 technology, media and telecommunications™ predictions in the February 21, 2011 issue of Business in Vancouver**, the high growth in Cloud have turned out to “be more than hype, less than hyper”. That’s because large companies and organizations are already invested heavily in servers and IT departments, such as financial institutions and government has been the slowest to embrace the Cloud. However, there is partial migration in the form of “outsourcing” when there are needs for new servers and software.  




* Source: http://www.cmswire.com/cms/customer-experience/gcloud-cloudstore-launches-with-1700-services-for-uk-government-014579.php

** Source: http://www.BIV.com  

Cloud Computing Security is a Barrier to Faster Adoption Rate

Back in 2009, we addressed how security needs to be addressed before there is wider adoption for cloud computing from mainstream corporations: http://www.pcis.com/web/vvblog.nsf/dx/cloud-computing-challenges. Fast-forward to 2012; the biggest concern – for both small to mid-size businesses and large enterprises building internal cloud infrastructures and using cloud services provided by others – is still security. In the October 2011 Symantec survey on cloud preparedness, 82 percent of IT people involved in cloud called security one of the biggest challenges. The survey included 5,300 organizations—from small businesses to large enterprises—across 38 countries*.

Security Best Practices for Cloud Computing

Security is credited as the main reason big companies tend to go more for internal private clouds rather than external clouds. The top three security concerns for cloud computing are:

· 58 percent worry about mass malware outbreaks at a cloud provider's facility;
· 57 percent worry the provider will be hacked;
· 57 percent worry insiders will share data (technically) already outside the company in a cloud;

We believe companies still need to secure things put in the cloud; maintain software and data in the cloud; keep track of data in the cloud, what apps it can use, who can access it and what they can do with it. In addition, visitors to infected company websites may become vulnerable to ID theft and other problems as their own computers become infected.

The following IT services can also help with your security best practices for cloud computing:

· Network security assessment
· Manage your risks with a roadmap
· Complete web penetration and security scan
· Block unauthorized access

Learn more about security services at http://www.pcis.com/intranets-web-portals/cyber-security-alert.htm.

Source: * http://www.itworld.com/cloud-computing/250882/why-it-so-bad-cloud-computing  

IT cost savings can be re-allocated to hire staff to grow company

Cloud computing is helping Canadian small and medium-sized businesses save a lot of money and headaches. And from these cost savings, businesses can then afford to hire new marketing, sales or production staff to increase their revenues.  

Cloud computing savings and benefits

According to the BDC, cloud computing offloads the burdens of buying and maintaining information and communications technology (ICT). Cloud computing enables businesses to pays to use a system owned by a third party. Cloud computing providers offer a growing list of services, including secure data storage, enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and collaborative tools. This alleviates business owners from buying and managing software or hardware.

Cloud computing can help your company save about 65% on an ERP system by implementing it through “the cloud” versus the usual route of buying the software.* One of the main cost savings is maintenance, which small businesses often don’t budget enough for when they purchase new ICT systems. Other cloud computing benefits include:

· The provider secures and backs up your data.
· Your staff has remote access to your company’s computer systems while on the road.
· Your provider takes care of hardware and software upgrades.

Some Cloud computing solutions include:

· Google Docs
· Microsoft Office 365
· IBM SmartCloud  

To learn more how cloud computing can save you money, take a look at our:

Networking Lunch Seminar in Vancouver, February 21, 2012 at http://g3t.ca/COXXfu  



Source: * www.BDC.ca  

Technology Enables Canadian Companies to be More Globally Competitive

Studies show companies that invest in information and communications technology (ICT) are more productive, more innovative and more competitive. If chosen wisely and implemented to its full potential, technology can accelerate sales and profits. It can take your company to a whole new level and even transform your entire business model. However, Canadian companies continue to lag behind in productivity compared to the US. The BDC offers the new $200 million BDC SmartTech Fund for 2012 as a solution to invest in ICT.

What is ICT?
ICT ranges from technological tools and applications to software programs, virtual applications and the way they are all connected. The BDC SmartTech Fund supports the following technologies:  

Internet
Technical solutions for online sales and marketing, e-commerce, cloud computing, search engine optimization (SEO) and even social media!  

Communications
This includes smart phones, tablet computers and voice over Internet protocol.

Productivity applications
Software and services to work smarter and become more innovative, including software to help manage sales, inventory, operations, finance and more!

Infrastructure
Hardware that makes it possible to surf the Internet, use software and protect your information, including computers, routers, servers and network technology.

Knowledge
Human capital, from planning and installation to maintenance and upgrades, this knowledge needs to be supplied by employees or external professionals with the right education and ongoing training.

For more about technology projects, including cloud computing that qualify under the BDC SmartTech Fund, click on the link below:

Networking Lunch Seminar February 21, 2012 at http://g3t.ca/COXXfu  

Source: * www.BDC.ca