Is Cloud Computing Killing IT Jobs?

Louis Hayner, CSO, Alteva – www.altevatel.com

According to results of an IDC/IDG Enterprise survey announced at the Cloud Leadership Forum in June, “top information technology executives believe that cloud computing will have significant impact on IT organizations and IT vendors, as well as the enterprises they support.” The survey stated that “more than 70 percent of those surveyed said they believed that by 2014, a third of all IT organizations will be providers of cloud services to customers or business partners.”

While it’s apparent that cloud computing usage will double in just a few years, there’s been a lot of talk about whether or not it will affect IT pros. However, according to a recent article on Network World’s website, IT professionals do not seem so concerned in losing their jobs because of the cloud. The article further discusses the survey’s findings, saying:

“Respondents in this survey seemed less fearful of the job implications of cloud computing. When asked if they thought “75% of IT jobs will no longer exist as currently defined by 2015,” 64% disagreed (only 20% agreed, the rest were unsure). Likewise, some 52% disagreed with this statement: “By 2013, most IT organizations will have gone through painful restructuring; brought on by the demands of building effective private clouds and/or capitalizing on public cloud.”

Although the cloud will not eliminate IT jobs, it will definitely affect them. IT pros can expect the enhancement and expansion of their IT roles and responsibilities since the cloud offers an easier, more manageable way to oversee IT resources. Many IT people are overworked and underappreciated – they always seem to be stuck managing multiple vendor relationships of separate companies who have no vested interest in working together. Sigh, the middle man.

When you utilize the cloud, you eliminate that demarcation point, and still manage everything from the premise, even though it resides in the cloud, all with a user login and password. This eliminates the finger pointing and allows the IT staff to have more control of the company’s resources. The cloud is not cutting jobs, but enhancing capabilities. Instead of working late during the week or on weekends when everyone else is already at home or enjoying their weekend, you won’t have to sit on the phone with different vendors, trying to work out issues. With the cloud, you work with one service provider who can give you the flexibility that you should already have.

The Network World article suggests that IT professionals should start preparing themselves to convert their enterprise IT infrastructures into private and/or hybrid clouds, to take on the role of provisioning cloud services for end users and business partners. As I’m sure most are aware, a public cloud serves multiple companies while a private cloud serves a single company. As clear as that sounds, generally they are never one or the other. Usually, it’s a hybrid cloud, a mix of private and public clouds talking to one another. Hybrid clouds allow IT professionals to be more effective in their roles and better manage vendors as opposed to fire fighting, but no matter which model comes into play, cloud computing and its impact will vary depending on your job role and your company’s business. Take a look at your current skills and where they fit into the mix, and look to broaden that skill set even further.

As a cloud provider, one of the biggest stumbling blocks to rapid adoption of clouds, private or public, can be IT employees who fear how their jobs will be affected. Part of any misguided fear that an IT person will lose their job is education and awareness. As a service provider, it’s important to sit down with your IT partner and explain just how critical and necessary they are to your deployment. At the end of the day, the cloud is not temporary or a drop in the pan, it’s a business philosophy and momentum that can’t be turned back. Helping your IT partners become more familiar with the cloud, will only help then enhance their resumes. At Alteva, we see IT as a true partnership, working together to satisfy the client.