I was recently at a conference when I overheard a data center executive scoff that the cloud was only a bright, shiny, object for IT people. It wasn’t the first time I heard disparaging remarks about the cloud and it won’t be the last. But why? According to Gartner, worldwide public cloud adoption is set to grow 18% in 2017. Furthermore, cloud adoption strategies will influence more than 50% of IT outsourcing deals through 2020. Cloud computing, which is the delivery of computing services such as networking, storage, analytics (Big Data), software, and more over the Internet AKA the public cloud, offers “multidimensional value such as agility, scalability, cost benefits, innovation, and business growth,” says Gartner. In addition, “buyers are looking to the ‘cloud first’ in their decisions, in support of time-to-value impact via speed of implementation.”

So why are some afraid or worse, dismissive of the cloud? Could it be a lack of education in all manner of cloud? We in the media need to do a better job of communicating the benefits of cloud computing to make sure no one is afraid or hesitant to move forward. It is time to have a closer examination of the cloud to weigh the benefits and separate the facts from the fallacies.

Caroline Fritz

Editor