The Cloud Requires Development of Expertise and Leadership

The word "cloud" can be associated with almost everything traditionally meant by IT. We are still on the path of continuous development paved by automatic data processing, making people's work easier with the help of automation.

If we consider things from a broader perspective, cloud technology fits into a natural continuum, where things are done smarter, faster, and more cost-effectively - all that IT thrives on.

In my view, the cloud primarily represents the way of doing things in the modern era, rather than a technological breakthrough. 

Old Rules Don't Apply

Cloud technology has thus become the norm of today. It would be difficult to imagine a world without the benefits brought by cloud technology. However, the old world's rules do not apply as is in the cloud world, and the cloud requires a new kind of expertise – from both clients and providers.

To get more out of the cloud, the model of doing things also needs to shift to a manner that fully leverages the technology. This requires a new perspective and new expertise at the stages of project initiation, purchasing, and project management.

Fully cloud-based projects need to be designed differently from the start. The way of doing things should also reflect this. The agility enabled by the cloud should also be reflected in the chosen project model and the way of working.

At the heart of all this is the human, the individual, with all their weaknesses and strengths. Implementations in the cloud are still done in the same way as they were in a data center 15 years ago. Humans are known to be creatures of habit. The million-dollar question then becomes, how quickly can a person adapt to new technologies and new ways of doing things?

How do we ensure the development of skills in such a way that the human does not become a bottleneck in development?

Skill Development is Needed at many Levels

The need for skill development is evident in the industry at multiple levels. Most concretely, it boils down to this: it's difficult to find people for implementations, and the field suffers from a chronic shortage of skilled professionals.

The evolution of technology also demands a new kind of leadership. New roles are needed to frame a business-oriented future vision, radical improvement, or new innovation into a technological scenario and, eventually, into an agile implementation. To move from vision to execution, an interpreter who views the matter through both technological and business lenses is needed.

From outside the technology bubble, it can be difficult to grasp the opportunities provided by technology.

Technology already enables everything that human imagination can conceive. Something that would have been a great but distant idea 10 years ago can easily and quickly be realized today. However, lack of expertise can be an obstacle on the path of development. Therefore, continuous education and skill development are absolutely key in our journey through digitalization.

Important Roles of the Individual and the Community

At Cloud1, skill development is crucial for everyone, regardless of role or job description. Continuous and comprehensive training is necessary, as Cloud1's mission is to be precisely the interpreter needed between business and technology.

From the perspective of skill development, this means climbing to the top both in terms of technological skills and in understanding business challenges and needs. Therefore, technical proficiency alone is not enough to provide the added value that Cloud1 wants to offer its customers. It requires a broader understanding of how business-driven challenges, visions, and innovations are translated into practical solutions.

At Cloud1, there is a belief in the fruitful dialogue between the individual and the community. When surrounded by top expertise in various fields, an individual can reflect on their perspectives and thoughts in conversation with others. Brainstorming with the community develops the individual's thinking further, offering new perspectives and alternative solution models. The community acts as a catalyst that accelerates the learning reaction - both on an individual and a community level.