Cloud computing will create nearly 14 million jobs globally by 2015, and of those, nearly 145 000 will be in SA, according to a research study released by Microsoft, and conducted by analyst firm IDC.
IDC's research predicts revenues from cloud innovation could reach $1.1 trillion per year by 2015, and could also drive job creation.
The study suggests the main sectors where these jobs will be created are within financial services, communications and media, and discrete manufacturing.
According to Microsoft SA MD Mteto Nyati, in SA, government and the retail sector are also expected to contribute strongly to new job creation through their growing interest in cloud computing initiatives.
“The cloud is making a real difference for businesses today: powering productivity, cutting costs and freeing up IT staff to focus on more mission-critical work. But this study suggests it's also got the potential to help restore economic health,” said Nyati.
The study forecasts that just over 62 000 jobs will be created in SA this year alone through cloud computing initiatives, rising to 82 000 in 2013.
Nyati points out that many jobs that should be created in SA are going to other developing countries, such as India, because SA battles to facilitate the required skills.
software, as they can connect to cloud-based services and create global applications.”
He adds: “The second trend is linked to cost savings. As IT functions, instead of being used to maintain legacy applications, those legacy applications are being moved to the cloud, and people are being moved to work that helps companies become more competitive.”
Nyati says SA needs to position itself as a cloud computing hub and become part of the global cloud computing network, otherwise it will be left behind in terms of developing ICT solutions for Africa and the world.
“Linked to that, in order for this country to participate in the global cloud network, we need to invest in cloud computing skills focused on security and managing uptime of our data centres.”
John Gantz, chief research officer and senior VP at IDC, explains that a common misperception is that cloud computing is a job eliminator, but in truth, it will be a job creator.
According to IDC, governments that invest in key cloud infrastructure will experience greater job growth. The report states that between emerging and developed countries, numbers are driven by the degree of IT spending and adoption levels of cloud versus industry make-up.
In light of the report, Arthur Goldstuck, MD of World Wide Worx, says the spin-offs of cloud computing could play a major role in job creation. “Because it clearly cuts costs and improves productivity, there is no question companies will experience the bottom-line benefits.
“If they reinvest the returns in the business, job creation will follow. However, it's a chain reaction driven by long-term vision, and not a direct consequence that we should take for granted.”
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