If you’ve got your head in the clouds, you’re probably familiar with the iTech Conference, a cross-Canada event series that brings together those that work in IT infrastructure, security, cloud and mobility.
This week iTech’s Vancouver event attracted more than 700 people who came to learn about the changing role of the IT professional.
No longer just somebody who locks a server room at night, IT professionals are now responsible for managing the large-scale business opportunities that have been made available as a result of cloud computing.
Here are the top five insights from the conference:
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1. Cloud is mature
Now that cloud has reached the mainstream, platform as a service (PaaS) providers are the norm, says Mark Janzen of IBM Canada. This means businesses such as Starbucks have access to previously closed-off markets.
https://twitter.com/TechPortfolio/status/784077345686589440
"Every business is becoming an #ecosystem": For more of Mark Janzen's #iTechVan insights, visit our Facebook album ► https://t.co/WJ9gp0n2Bh pic.twitter.com/vbQ27dyjT4
— Tech Ed Canada (@TechEdCA) October 6, 2016
2. Cloud is transformational
The “cognitive on cloud” movement will transform workspaces and customer interactions. Managers will split their time between human staff and leveraging cognitive technology, and bots will frequent customer service.
#iTechVan STAT ★ 78% of #ITpros believe successful business will manage employees alongside intelligent machines. –@TerryMBelanger #HR #AI pic.twitter.com/LzJPqdmCtV
— Tech Ed Canada (@TechEdCA) October 6, 2016
https://twitter.com/TechPortfolio/status/784158066858139652
3. Cloud can expand or shrink
The cloud will make IT infrastructure a commodity. “In 3 years most companies will consume [IT] and pay a monthly fee, just like they do for water,” says Kyle Kilback, VP of Graycon.
https://twitter.com/TechPortfolio/status/784087250699116544
4. Cognitive on cloud moves business beyond just storing data
One big industry that will reap benefits from the cloud and cognitive technology is health care. With 70% of corporate executives saying they plan to significantly increase their investments in AI-related technologies, companies will be able to extract more value as well as insight from the mountains of data they sit on. Terry Belanger, Brand Manager for IBM Power Systems, said treatment plans based on one’s genome are within possibility.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BLPfyDEhnvc/
5. Security and the cloud go hand in hand
Investment in the cloud should be matched with investment in security. IT professionals need to raise awareness of issues ranging from vulnerable nodes, to people using personal devices on corporate networks, and corporate devices in personal use. Testing and updating a security plan is a must.
every part of a printer can be breached! The most unexpected piece of tech can be susceptible to breach
— Anthony Derrick (@anthonydwreck) October 6, 2016
https://twitter.com/TechPortfolio/status/784187831287554048
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the iTech Conference?
iTech is a cross-Canada event series for people working in IT infrastructure, security, cloud and mobility. Its Vancouver event in October 2016 drew more than 700 people to learn about the changing role of IT professionals.
How has the role of IT professionals changed?
The article said IT professionals are no longer just the people who lock the server room at night. They are now responsible for managing the large-scale business opportunities that cloud computing has created.
What did speakers mean by saying cloud is mature?
Mark Janzen of IBM Canada said that with cloud now mainstream, platform-as-a-service providers are the norm. This gives businesses such as Starbucks access to markets that were previously closed off.
How was cloud expected to change the way companies pay for IT?
Kyle Kilback of Graycon said the cloud would make IT infrastructure a commodity, predicting that within three years most companies would consume IT and pay a monthly fee, just as they do for water.
Why does cloud investment need to be matched with security investment?
Speakers said IT professionals must raise awareness of risks such as vulnerable nodes, personal devices on corporate networks and corporate devices used personally. Testing and updating a security plan was described as a must.