Archiv der Kategorie: Trends

Future topics, trends and scenarios are discussed in this section.

Cloud or deceptive ground fog?

If you base the development of IT on a simple formula, there are still the same elements (e.g. Hardware, Software, Algorithms, In- and Output media as well as Networking) that become better. Today it is all about the mobility of the devices, agile software, the processing of Big Data and three-dimensional printing among other things. And everything happens by using global high speed nets in the Cloud. Unfortunately the IT-manufacturers are diluting the term Cloud Computing by reducing it to their own solutions. Is the Cloud

  • the relocation of Datacenters (DC),
  • the Industrialization of IT,
  • the Net-based supply of apps (i.e. individual, compatible applications out of the Net) or
  • IT as a Service?

Actually Cloud Computing includes all aspects. Enterprises controlled in the past all components of the business. Today, for example, they receive the electricity from power plants out of the public power grid. Similarly IT tasks will move into the Cloud in the future and be paid with a monthly IT bill. On this way, however, the Cloud can quickly emerge to a deceptive ground fog that can lead to negative business results.

Edge Wolke

During the preparation of the Cloud activities it is helpful to clearly define the term itself and to walkthrough the following pros and cons.

Pros

The main pros of the Cloud are

  • the outsourcing of physical computers into the Cloud,
  • the use of apps and
  • the use of IT-services out of the Net.

The virtual DC relieves from the local risks that exist in the regions, e.g. the natural disasters, political instability or lacking personnel. The buildup and sun-downing as well as the scaling of DCs follow the needs of the business and are done at very short notice.

With net-based software the long cherished dream of modularity on the user side becomes reality. As a result, all required applications are available to the users, everywhere and at anytime. Time-consuming installations and updates are no longer needed.

The regular tasks of the IT (e.g. IT-security, user administration and the regular data backup) are taken over by the service providers in the Cloud.

The Cloud offers new possibilities of the control and overview to the decision makers in IT, since the distributed IT-landscape is available in one environment and in an integrated way.

Disadvantages

At the same time the users see the disadvantages especially in

  • apparently inadequate IT-security,
  • the indirect access to the employees of the operations and
  • the difficult integration of the legacy systems.

These risks exist already today for distributed locations with their internal employees in a similar manner.

As soon as the IT is linked to the Internet, security measures are needed. The necessary measures can be established in the Cloud exactly like under present conditions. The confidence into the service provider is comparable with the confidence into today’s internal and external resources.

The largest remaining hurdle is the integration of the existing IT-systems into the new environments. In these cases the responsible people cannot avoid the migration of these legacy systems to the newest state of the technology.

As soon as the business takes place in the cloud and each employee works with mobile devices, only those systems will be used that offer the required mobility and variety.

Bottom line

The IT evolved dramatically until today. This development will continue and be hardly feasible with internal resources. Cloud Computing is the important step away from possessed IT-resources to globally available, Pay-per-Use IT-services. For the Cloud are the same risks and counter measures valid, as with all existing IT-solutions. The IT bosses need a clear conception of the term Cloud and the associated pros and cons. The future IT-department will no longer define itself by the square meters of the datacenters, the possessed network knots or the number of IT-employees, but by the available computing power, the speed of the task solution and the user intimacy. For the responsible people it is now a good moment to consider, how to deal with these changes. Otherwise the Cloud becomes quickly a threatening ground fog that tears those into the abyss, who do not prepare in time for the takeoff into the Cloud.

Do you have to go abroad?

Looking to the future of work, global mobility is often highlighted, besides new technical, social and legal aspects. The actual potentials for Germans cannot be found in the available data *1), because

  • the total number of outward migration between 1991 and 2012 increased only by 20%,
  • 80% of the outward migration consists of foreigners,
  • the outward migration includes also the members of the expats as well as other emigrants, and
  • not all expatriates are included in the statistics.

Based on the available data it is difficult to decide, whether one should agree to work abroad.

Migration

The more global an enterprise, the larger is the probability that one should consider the opportunity of an international assignment. You can use the following questions, in order to find out your readiness.

  • What is the status of your career?
    The flatter structures abroad enable a closer cooperation with top managers. Thus, the probability increases that following the assignment your career will accelerate. Which career goals are supported by your foreign assignment? Or does an international mission offer you the opportunity to leave your current role? Are there reasons that could influence your career negatively?
  • How do you deal with culture?
    Within assignments overseas you meet completely new cultures – languages, business manners, and lifestyles. The ability to adjust is an important condition for a stress-free, successful sojourn. Are you interested in other lifestyles and languages? Or do you have trouble with alien cultures?
  • How does the international assignment impact your private environment?
    Although the business environment is changing for the employee, in principle, the daily routines are continuing as usual. For the family members it is more difficult. On the one hand, they are pulled out of their previous everyday life. On the other hand, they have to fight for the new environment. Did you find out the opinion of your partner concerning a foreign assignment? What about your children? How important are friends for you? Or are there private reasons to go, e.g. thirst for adventure, divorce? What are other private arguments against it?
  • Which professional advantages offer an international assignment?
    In your usual context, you have a proven network and you know the procedures. Abroad you have to set up yourself within very short time, so that you can obtain results and to reach your professional goals in the two to five years of the assignment. Do you like new technical tasks? Are you interested in more responsibility? What financial advantage does the assignment has to offer? Which professional disadvantages do you see?
  • Do you expect an improved social status?
    As Expat you receive private amenities that are above the standards of the homeland – apartment, car, insurances. Additionally, foreigners have in the countries of destination often a special, social status. Which aspects have to be fulfilled, in order to accept an international assignment? What speaks against it?
  • Are there other influence factors?
    The individual reasons can go beyond the previous ones. Which aspects have also to be fulfilled, so that you accept to go abroad – privately, professionally? Are there other KO criteria?

It is recommended to note all aspects that speak for and against an international assignment. You should walk through these questions before you get into negotiations with your company, in order to provide a decisive impression – whether you want to go or not. Discuss it with your family and friends. It is particularly helpful to contact colleagues, who are/were already abroad, perhaps even in your destination country.

Bottom line: You do not have to go abroad. Since a foreign assignment is a great decision that has a large impact on you and your family, you should analyze the aspects from all perspectives. There are companies that offer the possibility to visit the country in advance. For some people it is helpful in order to make the decision. For others these short impressions are not sufficient to make the decision about a long-term engagement. In any case, it is important that the entire family is committed. Otherwise, during your stay, you will have additional problems that will be hard to solve.

*1) I couldn’t find statistics of German enterprises that show the actual situation. Indications can only be derived from the statistic yearbook of the Federal Statistical Office Germany (only in German) http://ow.ly/FuRSv .