Where Will Cloud Be In 2014?

Cloud computing has made its way into the technology landscape so seamlessly that many users might be using it without even knowing they are.

The cloud has already changed data storage and access, but as far as becoming the new server standard, it still has some way to go. So, the question is, will the invisible everywhere network actually be everywhere come 2014 and in which ways will users implement cloud technology in the near future?

The Cloud in Context

Although the cloud is broadly referred to as a computing concept that connects an almost unlimited number of computers, the cloud as we know it is a real-time network that allows devices of all kinds to communicate instantaneously.

For example, when you update the calendar on your smartphone only to find your laptop’s calendar updates as well, that’s the cloud in action. And, according to IHS, a leading technology research and statistics company, this type of technology should increase to 500 million users by early 2014.

With the increase in users also comes an increase in the cloud computing industry’s revenue. In fact, cloud related technology is already a 1.5 billion dollar a year industry in the US, with an estimated 1.4 trillion dollar worldwide revenue by 2014.

Job Creation

As far as physical change goes, the advancement in cloud computing is likely to result in immense job growth by creating completely new IT positions. According to Microsoft, cloud computing will result in 14 million new worldwide jobs by late 2014.

This isn’t only exciting for the IT industry, but for the way in which the IT industry does business altogether. Practicing what they preach, nearly 75% of these new IT jobs will take place solely on the cloud as virtual positions.

Less Security Breaches

With the expected increase in cloud users by 2014 also comes an expected decrease in digital security breaches. The reason behind this is due to the fact that a user’s information is kept on a real-time network as opposed to a hard drive.

In other words, because your personal, financial, business, and any other data you wish to store on the cloud exists on a network and not a physical hard drive, if your laptop or other device is ever stolen or hacked, your data is safe, secure, and is still accessible on your other devices.

Social Media Cues

Considering social media sites like Facebook use a computing structure similar to cloud computing in terms of data storage and access, the cloud is likely to take on characteristics found in social media software.

By 2014, the cloud’s ease of use will be as simple as logging into your Facebook account and posting an update, except your storage status will update as opposed to your social status.

Instantaneous Translation

Imagine a business and personal world where language barriers are no longer an issue.

By 2014, cloud technology will draw from its own computational abilities made possible by way of a massive world-wide, real-time network to translate information from one language to the next.

So, an English-speaking user will be able to transfer data over the cloud to a French or German or Italian user and the cloud will automatically translate that information to the corresponding language. This gives communication a whole new world of possibilities.

From job growth to making the digital world more secure, cloud computing is likely to advance by leaps and bounds in 2014.