Cloud computing: a potential job boost

Background

Cloud computing describes a key develop­ment in the information and communications technology (ICT) landscape: computing resources and services are provided on demand on-line, and stored on remote servers. ‘The cloud’ is where these resources come together. It can be either public or private, depending on its user group. Cloud computing is not entirely new – web-based e-mail and office applications have been around for a while – but it is far from reaching its peak.

ICT research company Gartner reports that public cloud services will increase by 20% in 2012, and the global cloud market will double by 2016. According to several studies from industry (SAP, Microsoft) and a study by IDC on which the EC’s strategy is based, cloud computing will lead to a major shift in ICT and create a global ‘cloud economy’. The driving forces are more flexibility and productivity, at a lower price: reduced ICT spending, rapidly scalable resources and serving more customers for a given cost. SMEs could particularly benefit through low barriers to entry and plenty of new business opportunities. In the EU, 99% of all enterprises are SMEs providing two out of three private sector jobs. Yet they are currently the most reluctant to use cloud computing services, reports IDC.

In 2010, the University of Milan predicted that cloud computing could create up to 1.5 million new jobs by 2015 and lead to hundreds of  thousands of new SMEs, mostly in Italy, Spain, France, Germany and the UK. A 2011 study by the London School of Economics (LSE) was equally confident: cloud computing stimulates both short- and long-term employment, especially through the creation of data centres and public cloud services firms. Growth in employment depends strongly on the sector: e.g. cloud-related jobs in smart-phone services in Germany will grow by 280% between 2010 and 2014. A study prepared for the European Parliament in 2011 expects a shift in job requirements from technical to more administrative and strategic tasks. Forbes magazine reports that new jobs will include cloud architects and integration specialists.

The positive impact of cloud computing on job creation is widely recognised, but there is much controversy about data protection and security. Fragmented legal regimes, lack of standards, and certification are pressing issues. In its strategy, the EC committed to develop three priority actions by the end of 2013:

• common standards and interoperability;
• safe and fair contract terms and conditions;
• a European cloud partnership with Member States and industry

To gain the full benefits of cloud computing and to remain globally competitive, speed of adoption is vital. The LSE assumes that half the jobs generated by public cloud services will be in the US. IDC states that the US cloud market is years ahead of Europe’s: In 2011, European companies dedicated only 1.6% of their ICT spending to public cloud services. To steer investment and to strengthen the digital single market a strong policy framework is needed. 

Microsoft and BSA called the strategy an important step in returning to jobs and growth. ETNO promised full support for the EC’s efforts. Digital Europe spoke of a clear vision but claimed that a long-term global perspective was missing. BEUC said that it lacked ambition and failed to protect consumer interests. Ovum warned of raising unrealistic expectations within companies. The Financial Times noted that the strategycomes at a time when the EU’s global ICT market share is falling due to under-investment.