Cloud computing has never been a sexy topic but it’s an important one as more companies are becoming more digitally dependent. The cloud is ‘defined as anything that involves delivering hosted services and data over the Internet.’
How can the cloud impact small businesses to become more innovative and create more jobs? With a recent study commissioned by Microsoft, it revealed that cloud computing may create as many as 70,000 jobs across Canada. According to John Weigelt, Microsoft Canada’s national technology officer, the benefits for companies to outsource their server needs to the cloud includes a reductions of fees and equipment costs. As a result, the cost-savings allows companies to shift the focus on more innovation and hiring talent to achieve the growing goals for any business. In addition, cloud computing help startups to set up and launch their business at a drastically lower cost than ever before.
David MacLaren, President and CEO of a Vancouver company, VRX Studios switched over to a cloud system such as Microsoft’s Windows Azure platform. Before the company outsourced all of its data to the cloud, they had one data center based in Texas. Thanks to the cloud, the company spends 20% of that one data center. This cost-savings is very attractive for any company.
The IDC also reveals several other interesting cloud facts in the year 2011:
- more than $28 billion was spent on cloud services worldwide;
- the cloud helped businesses around the world generate more than $400 billion in additional revenues and 1.5 million new jobs. More than 50 per cent of those jobs accrued to small and medium businesses.
Check out this Infographic on how Cloud spurs Sky-High Job Growth (Source: Microsoft)
Normally, a topic like the cloud would make me fall asleep however Microsoft was pretty creative on a media screening of the documentary, CTRL + ALT + COMPLETE. The film looks at the trials and tribulations of the featured tech entrepreneurs; analysis of their startup culture; and how they get ready to pitch at an intense competition. Eventhough, it’s a Microsoft film, it’s not a promo film. You’ll even hear from Tony Hsieh of Zappos — who sold his the company LinkExchange to Microsoft — talk about how Microsoft killed the company due to lack of innovation. Check out the trailer below:
Social Pej-Time