Cloud computing is one of the fastest-growing fields in information technology (IT). Estimates show the global cloud computing market reaching about $1,614.10 billion by 2030. This rapid growth is driving demand for IT professionals, making this an excellent time for tech enthusiasts to take the next step in advancing their careers.
Like many jobs in IT, a career in cloud computing typically requires a bachelor’s degree. For instance, William Paterson University’s Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Information Technology online program prepares graduates to meet the cloud computing needs of the companies seeking to hire them.
Cloud Computing Basics
Techfunnel defines cloud computing as “the delivery of computing services including servers, storage, databases, networking, software, analytics, and intelligence over the Internet (‘the cloud’) to offer faster innovation, flexible resources, and economies of scale.”
Businesses are embracing cloud computing to increase efficiencies, boost revenue and accelerate growth. Zoom‘s expansion during the pandemic captures the power of cloud computing. The cloud-based communications platform surged from 10 million daily meeting participants at the end of 2019 to 300 million six months later.
Cloud computing services fall into three main categories:
- Software as a Service (SaaS): Salesforce is a well-known SaaS that provides customer relationship management (CRM) products. Shopify, SurveyMonkey and Blackboard are other familiar SaaS providers. As the expansion of Zoom illustrates, one benefit of SaaS is the ease of scaling when the time is right.
- Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): Servers, routers and networks are part of a company’s infrastructure. Considering that a single server can cost thousands of dollars, pay-as-you-go cloud options can be a cost-effective alternative.
- Platform as a Service (PaaS): Many people have a great idea for a mobile app, but how do you build one? PaaS helps solve that problem by providing developers with the framework to build mobile and web apps. Amazon Web Services (AWS) is a leading PaaS provider.
What Are Some Benefits of Cloud Computing?
What would your boss think if you said you could save the company at least 15% in IT costs? A deciding factor in migrating to the cloud is cost savings.
Consider a company that uses on-premises enterprise resource planning (ERP) software. There is the cost of the software and licensing fees, the servers and the associated hardware. Don’t forget the IT team to install and maintain the system, the lost revenue when the system is down, the energy bill that comes with running servers at all times and the cost of in-house cybersecurity solutions.
No wonder even small and midsize companies are moving to the cloud. Users pay a monthly subscription fee, and the provider takes care of the rest. Other benefits of cloud computing include:
- Increased productivity: Does your marketing team travel or do your employees work remotely? Cloud services offer 24/7 accessibility anywhere, anytime, with a connected device.
- Reduced risk of human error: Relying on spreadsheets to manage business processes can lead to input errors, inaccurate calculations and other costly mistakes. Cloud automation reduces such risks.
- Disaster recovery (DR): Cybersecurity is a top priority. Cloud DR helps companies avoid data loss in the event of an attack and get back to business more quickly.
Looking at usage trends in cloud computing, Precedence Research notes that about 55% of revenue in cloud computing comes from SaaS. Additionally, the banking, financial services and insurance industry lead cloud adoption with 25% of the global market share.
Other top users of cloud computing include healthcare, hospitality, automotive, government, manufacturing, agriculture and retail.
Why Earn a B.S. in IT?
The Global Knowledge 2021 IT Skills and Salary Report shows that cloud computing skills are a priority, reflected in salaries. In North America, for example, cloud computing professionals earn an average salary of $144,533.
As the use of cloud computing continues to soar, candidates with skills in this area can expect to have an edge in the job market. William Paterson University’s B.S. in IT prepares graduates in essential areas of expertise such as:
- cloud computing
- cybersecurity expertise
- data mining and analytics
- computer networking
- systems administration
- software design
Those who plan to pursue careers in cloud computing will benefit from the program’s thorough preparation. Hands-on coursework provides experience with cloud computing in real-world business contexts, including the use of clouds from Amazon, Google and Microsoft. This type of experience can support graduates in landing the jobs they want.
Learn more about William Paterson University’s online Bachelor of Science in Information Technology program.
