The Cloud Connection

Updated on: Monday, January 11, 2010

Let's begin with the basics. What is cloud computing? Wikipedia says it is 'an Internet-(cloud-) based development and use of computer technology (computing)'. Simplifying this definition for us, Anurag Gupta, senior architect, Yahoo, says, "Cloud computing is a mechanism that enables management of computing and IT infrastructure to be consolidated in one or more data centres to reduce the overall cost of operating computing facilities ." Breaking down this information to the bare basics, Vikas Arora, group director–Enterprise Services, Microsoft India, says, "Cloud computing is nothing but a computing technology that provides organisational abilities to access software and hardware resources from a virtual space."

Commonly referred to as the 'cloud,' a metaphor for the Internet, this technology facilitates delivery of common business applications online that are accessed from the Internet. This technology is expected to revolutionise the way data is stored and managed. Since the software and data are stored on Internet (remote or in the cloud) servers, the cloud also curbs the exponential expenses incurred in maintaining high-end data servers. "The cloud eliminates expensive server farms and allows companies to analyse petabytes of data. The cloud changes everything in technology," informs Vijay Mukhi, IT expert, writer, teacher and consultant. "It is also specially aimed for cost advantages during IT investment to provide maintenance-free software and infrastructure. The payment methodology for customers is based on an affordable pay-as-yougo model, which provides optimum utilisation of resources, thus enhancing productivity and profitability of enterprises," adds Arora.

MYTHS AND FACTS

As mentioned, globally the cloud has made inroads into our daily lives. "Webmail (web-based email) is a cloud application, which means webmail runs on clouds. Thus it isn't as new as it sounds," points out Saurabh Gupta, CEO, Phonethics.

Having said that, we do have a long way to cover. "While we are far ahead than the western countries in all other technologies, when it comes to the cloud we are lagging behind. China is far ahead of us with respect to the cloud," admits Mukhi.

But playing the devil's advocate here, one questions the promise this technology holds especially since the Internet penetration in the country is about 7%. "While the metros have good connectivity, in the smaller cities the connectivity is fairly good. Companies who use leased lines in smaller cities can use the cloud, connectivity is really not a problem," Mukhi explains.

Saurabh presents the other side of the coin, "Cloud computing actually works very well for the 'un-connected .' They can use any manner of small applications/programmes/software to edit images, video, PowerPoint presentations, Excel sheets, etc which might not be available on local machines (either cyber cafes or desktops in schools etc)."

Arora addresses other issues plaguing this technology, "Besides the limitations of broadband requirements, there are other concerns such as security, incomplete control over IT infrastructure, privacy of critical data on the cloud, etc. This model is absolutely new and will take some time before it gets accepted. However, in the long run, cloud computing is the way for homogenous computing in a universal environment accessible to all at an affordable price. Moreover, we believe that this model will be of immediate relevance to small and medium businesses (SMBs) by allowing them to automate business processes without large upfront investments in hardware and software."

OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND

This implies that in the near future there would be a requirement for professionals in this field. Arora offers, "India is a huge potential market for cloud computing. Analysts position India as the fastest growing SaaS market in Asia Pacific." Saurabh further elaborates, "As companies increasingly depend more on blogs/online document storage or other web-based applications, enterprising youngsters can actually set up a business to help people set-up these applications. Enterprising students in Europe make pocket money doing this kind of stuff."

Thus, while there would be bigger players like Amazon, Google, IBM, Microsoft and Yahoo, who would need such professionals in the field of cloud computing, smaller players too would need fresh talent. Anurag says, "While these companies invest heavily to make cloud computing mainstream, it is the nimble start-ups like Nivio who rush to take advantage to ever cheaper cloud computing infrastructure to deliver innovative applications."

PROFESSIONALS PREFERRED

The million dollar question is that which professionals — software or hardware — would be sought after? "Aspirants would need an understanding of both. However, the software issues far outweigh the hardware requirements at this point of time," Anil Garg, popularly called the pioneer of Internet in India, states. Experts also predict that this is the space for creative professionals to tap their energy. They feel that while professionals joining start-ups would need to know how to use cloud computing services, they would not necessarily need to know how to build them.

"Projects, ideas, dreams and world changing thoughts can all be launched using cloud computing. It truly makes for a flat, resource un-constrained world. The only limit is your imagination , so think of cloud computing not as a stand-alone skill/feature but an integral part of the workplace that workers of the future are going to encounter," advises Saurabh. Anurag seconds this opinion, "While people who have developed a deep expertise in systems software and distributed systems are well positioned to contribute to building massive cloud computing systems, innovative application developers will be better off tapping the creative potential that cloud computing unleashes. As cloud computing gets more mainstream , the barrier to conceiving new ideas and bringing them to the customer will go down dramatically . This is the sweet spot that innovative application developers should be targeting." Over and above the need for software and hardware professionals there would be a need for Information (IT) security professionals who will find a major place in the cloud computing environment. "This is because with cloud computing you are taking all your IT needs and giving them to a third party to manage . Companies become a little sensitive about their corporate data being hosted on third party servers due to sensitivity about data, and thus they would be in need of security professionals," informs career counsellor Jayanti Ghose.

SKILLS REQUIRED

If you are harbouring thoughts of making a career in the cloud, familiarise yourself with the skill-sets required to succeed. "Cloud computing is a mix of many methodologies and one has to have proficiency in software application development and porting to understand it," says Garg. "To succeed in this sector, students must develop their skills in the area of hardware, systems software, distributed systems, networks, storage, platform design, scalability, systems failure analysis, multi-threaded programming , operating systems internals, and virtualisation software internals," opines Anurag.

TRAINING TRIVIA

Addressing the issue of formal training in this field, it is quite clear that there are no Bachelor's or Master's programme run by any Indian university with regards to cloud computing as of now. "While there are no such formal courses run by any Indian univer

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