Did you know what Bill Gates has in mind when he heard the word “apocalypse”? It’s not the end of the world, but quite possibly, it’s the end of Microsoft dominance in the IT world. “Apocalypse” for Bill Gates comes in two words: Cloud computing.
A Motley Fool’s special report – that is released to highlight cloud computing as investors’ potential gold mine, including a few suggestion of the major players in cloud computing, in term of investing – tells us that back in 2005, Mr. Gates has predicted that this cloud computing thing would wipe out a $200 billion business empire he has spent a lifetime to build.
In 2005, he sent out memos to his top and trusted staffs that a big, disruptive technological wave will swipe away the world, changing how people do business and get information.
Bill’s apocalypse is now. The wave is now called cloud computing and it takes over the business world by storm and has changed how we do things, literally. It is now a $160 billion industry, but experts say cloud computing will pass the $1 trillion mark sooner or later.
Indeed, cloud computing – or also popular as the cloud – changes many aspects of our life. Today, it’s hardly that you can escape the cloud “unharmed” – the cloud is everywhere – as soon as you start using a device, you are in the cloud. Checking emails? You are in the cloud. Log on to Facebook? You are in the cloud.
Think staying at home can change your luck? Think again. Now from a home cloud you can run virtually any appliances in your home. Driving a car? You can now access the Internet and get other driving-related information – from the cloud.
And as cloud computing turns out to be mainstream technology, it’s becoming a utility. Just like electricity. You don’t see any value in electricity, other than it powers your appliances and devices (and now cars.) Indeed, the cloud will become a commodity. And when computing has become a commodity, what value does Microsoft has? This really scares Bill Gates.
Sure, you can always shift to IT consulting and offering cloud solutions and suites. However, Microsoft needs to transform its business model, just like the rest has done: IBM, Dell, Oracle… and Microsoft need to do that fast, as there are innovative, aggressive, and lean cloud startups are taking their pie of the cloud market.
Suddenly, Microsoft will have to compete with a 5-person cloud solution provider who offers cutting-edge solutions for businesses; indeed, Microsoft – and the others – need to catch up fast, or else…
As mentioned in the Motley Fool’s newsletter, (one IT expert admits) that trillions of dollars that companies have invested into IT have gone to waste, “thanks” to cloud computing.
Now what we can do with this cloud computing trend? It’s simple really; join the bandwagon, or be left out in the dust.
As an established IT business, you need to start exploring cloud opportunities to offer to clients; as a business IT user, you need to consider cloud solutions as it will give you an edge over the competition; as an investor, you might want to seriously consider cloud computing stocks, as they will go boom in the coming years; as an individual, just enjoy your perks as the cloud brings convenience your way.
So, cloud computing – yes or no?
