The Challenge of the Cloud in Developing | Windward IT Solutions ...

There?s been some intriguing conversation lately about the proliferation of cloud technology in developing countries. Comparable to the impact of tech innovations like cell phones, mobile communications, mobile data and just straightforward Internet access are already having profound impact on emerging markets worldwide. ?Westernized? nations take infrastructure for granted, essentially because it?s true at least in highly populated urban areas.

Many of us in developed nations see these innovations as a kind of technological panacea to these economies and citizens that struggle to remain stable. While our intentions are good, the infrastructural limitations of these nations become evident almost immediately. Such is the challenge of cloud deployment in these nations, where the intentions are impressive, but they run up against very real-world hurdles that impede deployment and implementation.

Think of it in terms of someone swooping in to a community with the latest, leading-edge compact-fluorescent or LED light bulb, and dazzling the populace with tales of its illuminating and energy-saving potential, only to discover that the electricity there only works a few hours a day, if at all. Or the electricity can?t power the bulb.? In many cases, there may not be a proverbial lamp or even an outlet in the first place.

As explained by Jeff Moad in a recent Manufacturing Executive blog:

Even manufacturers that are embracing public cloud-based ERP and MES applications are thinking twice before rolling out the technology in some global locations. Why? The unpredictability of basic infrastructure such as electricity and Internet access still makes it difficult for manufacturers to turn critical, production-oriented applications over to the cloud.

Really, this isn?t a too-bad scenario; I think this actually speaks to the global potential of the cloud. Those of us well-versed in its advantages can see that potential. We know it?s the most practical and powerful approach to IT. Why even consider outmoded approaches that would require racks of server space? But again, we?re describing a solution for a challenge many new markets don?t yet comprehend. The first step, quite literally in many cases around the world, is making sure the lights stay on.

Most people in developing countries don?t have Internet access, or access everything via mobile at sub-3G speeds. Power grid overloads and outages are very common, and first-world innovators are learning that they have to attend to those cornerstone issues like power generation and transmission before they can proceed to IT.

This raises another question we in the IT community would do well to ponder. What?s our role in driving the development of that backbone infrastructure these emerging markets still need? Do we sit back and wait for a risk-taker to fix the situation? Do we hope a region or nation stabilizes and then invites us to share innovation? Perhaps we ? as an IT innovator community ? need to consider a truly forward-thinking leadership role, where our interest in propagating the Cloud takes a short-term back seat to instead helping communities and leaders in these new markets build the technological foundation we need to then build the best IT solutions possible. Only then will we create the consistent interconnectivity and interaction that benefits everyone.

I think that?s certainly worth further conversation, and welcome anyone?s thoughts.

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