Cloud Computing reality check
As a cloud computing expert my constant job is not only to convince people of the merits of cloud computing but also in many cases explain what the hell it actually is. Most of Damson‘s clients aren’t techies and they don’t like when you make it technical. So finding real world examples of how cloud computing/WEB 2.0/SAAS can really change their working environment is vital in helping people to understand the true benefits.
Technical explanation: With cloud computing your data is synchronised across all your devices and is always backed up.
Real world example: When you create a file on your laptop at home it appears on your desktop in the office (instantly!).
I know what your thinking, sure that’s just sugarsync or dropbox or putplace. That’s easy, right? Well for a lot of people its not, in fact most techie’s would be shocked at the amount of people out there that don’t know about these technologies that we use everyday. More importantly then that, trying to get across the actual benefits (not features) of these services can be a challenge. So when I come across a real life example of how to explain a complicated technology I save it away in my data-bank of analogies and metaphors, for the next customer meeting.
So, while my iPhone was off for repair last month it was time to find a replacement. I had temporarily began using my P910i, great phone, but old and it couldn’t handle SLL which ment no email for me, not acceptable.
The brother was kind enough to give me a lend of his slightly younger XDA Orbit from O2. It was running windows mobile 6.
So with my new device I formatted it (deleted everything) just to be sure and went about adding mt email settings and Google sync settings. After about 15 minutes of synchronisation I had 1200+ contacts, 1 year+ of calendar and 200 emails on the XDA. Impressive and it was all thanks to keeping everything on the cloud. The mobile was simple a photocopy of the real data held safely online.
Now using the windows mobile OS, is another days post. However, I live safe in the knowledge that come rain, hail or thievery my data is safe…always.
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3 Comments
No doubt techies will be surprised. What’s the answer for us office folks locked away behind corporate firewalls? I can’t IM, much less sync with an offsite device. I’m relying on Post-It Notes to save appointments and blog ideas until I can get home to my laptop.
For the poor office folk locked behind the corporate firewall I imagine the advent of the iphone and similar technologies will help to move the corporate world forward a few steps. The iphone changes the game to such an extent that other mobile manufacturers will be forced to up their game and respond with similar offerings. Within the next few years the device that the individual does the majority of their messaging, twittering, light blogging etc, will be their personal mobile device, circumventing the restrictions to browsing and interaction the locked down corporate IT environment has created.
I found your blog on google and read a few of your other posts. I just added you to my Google News Reader. Keep up the good work. Look forward to reading more from you in the future.