There are no two ways around it – business is going to get smarter.

Whether you’re a self-made entrepreneur, or a leader of an SME, a start-up or a global corporation; whether you have a traditional business model or you’re a digital-native – organisations of all shapes and sizes are being drawn into the Cloud.

Intelligent & sped up

Cloud computing is no longer just a cost-effective way to store data and applications, it’s integral to advancing AI and the cognitive capabilities of the enterprise.

And this new business environment – dubbed Industry 4.0 – is presaged by unprecedented amounts of data, able to be managed on the Cloud.

It’s the fourth major transformation of industry.

In the first industrial revolution of the late 18^th Century, mechanisation was achieved using water and steam. In the second, at the beginning of the 20^th Century, electricity enabled mass production. And in the third, electronics and information technology automated production.

Now, in the midst of the fourth revolution, we’re integrating hardware and software, and machine learning with AI.

In this fourth revolution, we’re accelerating transactions at an exponential pace, disrupting past ways of doing things with greater scope and scale.

So what does this fourth revolution mean for management?

For IT – Low code or no code

Now, businesses are able to gather, analyse and drive data and IT transformation, and do it in real-time.

Applications are readily available as citizen developers are building functional apps without having to write a line of code.

Professional developers are streamlining or simplifying their work, and are able to deliver enterprise-class applications with little or no hand-coding.

Managing change – People and process

The Cloud effectively manages changes for both people and process. Automated, pre-packaged infrastructure and data networking simplifies the burden on IT and wider business.

The Cloud has upended the traditional delivery model. It makes AI scalable, allowing businesses to bring offerings to market through agile processes.

New kinds of workflow

Applications, workloads and services are managed differently on the Cloud compared to on-premises. Staff roles have been transformed to participate in defining, creating and maintaining automated systems.

For one, practice is more function-based, streamlined and centralised with AI taking a cooperative and supportive role in the digital revolution, at lower cost, with improved quality and safety.

Security

Security is central to Cloud management, and the leading Cloud providers have unique approaches as to how it should be handled.

Part of the Cloud set-up involves clearly defined management groups that serve to ensure not only that every project and department is on track, but also to protect sensitive information, and meet internal procedures and government regulations.

Upon engaging with the Cloud, management should reconsider compliance issues by using systems that are tighter and easier to manage.

Where are we in this revolution?

Removing the need for organisations to actively manage data storage, power and other computing fundamentals, managers have both more time and opportunity for innovation and creativity.

Cloud computing is more than just making use of on-demand services. It enables organisations to analyse and capture insights and leverage economies of scale through automation of redundant processes. It means embracing the benefits of a knowledge sharing mentality rather just focusing on in-house expertise. It means moving toward global applications, beyond just enterprise applications.

Instead of each organisation needing resources to support its own needs, there are pools of on-Cloud data and resources that provide services to a global community.

Part of the ongoing transition to the Cloud will involve reviewing and aligning change management activities to define value, and assess and focus on vital performance indicators. 

Choosing the right partner – Collaborate better

Cloud computing provides opportunities, solutions and better outcomes for the end user.

Industrial revolutions have arisen from a need for forward thinking, and the availability of tools that enable automation of arduous tasks and allow people to focus on creativity and innovation.

As the next revolution ahead, we can expect an even closer interface between big data, AI and humanity.