Cloud boosts IT innovation

Tech Day reports.

Technology corporation IBM revealed opinions on what cloud computing means for in-house IT teams, with results presenting an opportunity for IT departments to lead on innovation, while increasing user access to IT services and demand for IT services.

Based on online interviews with 119 IT managers across New Zealand in June, nearly 75% of bosses believe cloud adoption would provide more scope for IT departments to advance in their organisations.

Skills in demand were expected to be architecture-related such as applications, storage and data and enterprise architects. IBM says results imply cloud computing would result in a shift in skill sets, with greater requirement of expertise in areas like applications, storage and data and enterprise architecture.

The majority of respondents believed there will be either constant (38%) or increased (44%) demand for IT services within organisations adopting cloud, MyHost News.com says.

For larger organisations the key benefit of cloud was increased flexibility of infrastructure. The most important benefit overall was increased user access to IT, although this was in fourth place among large organisations (1 000 employees or more).

“Cloud computing is transforming the IT workplace as organisations adopt new ways of consuming IT. CIOs and IT managers should ensure that this is factored in to their cloud strategy, finding opportunities for their teams to lead on innovation, build more strategic relationships with IT providers and develop additional skills,” says Andrew Fox, GM - global technology services, IBM New Zealand.