Abstract In this paper, we discuss cloud computing, the current state of cloud computing in healthcare, and the challenges

and opportunities of adopting cloud computing in healthcare. A Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis was used to evaluate the feasibility of adopting this computing model in healthcare. The paper concludes that cloud computing could have huge benefits for healthcare but there are a number of issues that will need to be addressed before its widespread use in healthcare.

HOW BIG IS THAT THING : Public Cloud Market as of 2010: $68B Public Cloud Market by 2014: $149B SMB spending on Cloud Computing by 2014: $100B Overall IT Spending Growth Next Five Year: 7% Annualized Overall Cloud Computing Investment: 25%+ Number of Servers in use: 60 Million Number of Servers in Dream Cloud World: ONE Work done on virtualized servers by 2014: 70%

SWOT ANALYSIS- IT INDUSTRY: What does Cloud Computing really mean to the IT industry?

Strength:
Ability to roll out creative service offerings leveraging old technologies and existing infrastructure Standardization of technologies and protocols makes it easier for product and service development

Weakness:
Huge investments necessary in order to start a pure play cloud computing company Complex and fast-evolving business model confuse vendors and customers Ultimately few real winners will survive = WINNERS WILL TAKE ALL!

Opportunity:
New types of diversified business requirements appearing quickly New round of investment (from who many not know what theyre doing) pouring into cloud Loose regulatory environment

Threat:
One major security breach or reliability failure will be like Fukushima for the Cloud industry Smaller players can disrupt market Onshore companies losing their physical location edge to offshore
Cloud Computing

SWOT ANALYSIS- IT INDUSTRY: What does Cloud Computing really mean to YOUR CAREER?

Strength:
New round of demand on selected types of products and services makes marketplace exciting again Consolidation and market positioning makes it easier to spot winners and losers

Weakness:
Doesnt really drive overall growth and hiring in IT industry Still experimental in many ways unsure of exact technical direction Complexity favors experienced and business-savvy workers

Opportunity:
New industry sectors and companies are popping up Startups can take on large players with innovation (and be acquired) Functional experts and business process-savvy candidates have many opportunities

Threat:
Many current technical skills becoming obsolete Need to develop diversified skill set Fast-paced competitive landscape means more late nights! Outsouring particularly offshore Taking jobs away

2/28/2012 9:10:00 PM

2/28/2012 9:10:00 PM