TMCnews Featured Article

With the widespread proliferation of cloud computing and related areas like virtualization and data management, cloud-related jobs are on the rise. A new study jointly published by Office 365 provider Microsoft (News - Alert) and research firm IDC reveals that this sector will create seven million jobs over the next three years.

Based on these findings, InformationWeek reports that currently there are 1.7 million open cloud jobs worldwide waiting to be filled.  Cushing Anderson, a program vice president at IDC (News - Alert), said in a statement, "Despite modest growth in the IT sector overall in the U.S., cloud-ready jobs are increasing as we head into 2013. With this increase comes the harsh reality that workforces around the world are steps behind when it comes to attaining the skills necessary to thrive in the cloud computing industry.”

Given that many of the new cloud related jobs will involve architecture, design, advisory, and transitional services as opposed to just hands-on technical functions, analysts firmly believe that cloud computing will drive the demand for individuals with a hard-to-find mix of business and IT skills. Unlike IT skill shortages in the past, the cloud requires a new set of skills and meeting them is going to be challenging, according to Anderson.

 The IDC analyst thinks that there is no one-size-fits-all set of criteria for jobs in the new cloud-based environment. Therefore, he recommends training and certification as a way for preparing prospective candidates to fill these newly created jobs.

Additionally, the study shows that almost two thirds of businesses worldwide plan to implement or are already using cloud technologies in their respective operations, with the U.S. accounting for 62 percent of spending on public cloud infrastructure overall. Findings also highlight that lack of training, certification, and experience are major reasons for shortages in this field.

Office 365 provider Microsoft has taken steps to address this problem by revamping many of its certifications that take into account cloud computing technologies and methods including forthcoming certifications for Windows 8 specialists. Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012 are designed to work in concert with Microsoft Cloud services such as Azure and Office 365.

While there may be many reasons for adopting cloud-based Office 365 such as ramping up productivity and better performance, PCWorld provides three major reasons for using Office 365.

First is cost as it starts at $4 per month, which is substantially lower than the desktop versions. Second is updates and maintenance. Unlike the desktop version, Microsoft takes care of all the dirty work with Office 365. Third is accessibility. Because Office 365 resides in the cloud, users have access to Word, Excel, Outlook, and other Microsoft Office tools round the clock from anywhere you can get a Web connection and from virtually any device including Windows or Mac desktops and laptops, Android (News - Alert) devices, iPhones, iPads, and other smartphones and tablets.