The New Cloud

By Mike McCarson, Manager of System Design (IT Department)

Is Cloud Computing a thing of the past? Not likely. There’s no doubt that the concept is alive and well, BUT the original concept of the phrase Cloud Computing is losing its “wow” factor. Back in the day, cloud computing was a job function that companies outsourced to that large, unexplainable black box in the sky. Companies would make specific decisions about targeted job functions such as word processing tools, and purchase platform space from the likes of Microsoft and others. But in today’s fast paced culture, especially in the IT industry, the continuous development of new & improved technology creates a saturation of cutting edge software and devices that stretches and conforms the definition of the Cloud Computing concept. This isn’t something that we make targeted decisions on anymore; it’s assumed in a lot of cases. For instance, almost all of the handheld devices today implement some form of cloud computing. That being said, the IT “geeks” aren’t the only ones that have to move along with the times. Remember the buzz word Global Warming? The new phrase is Climate Control. What about Reality TV? Yes, this phrase is still buzzing around, but is it still accurate?