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August 9, 2006, Google CEO Eric Smidt coins the term “cloud computing” at Search Engine Strategies Conference. In the years to come, cloud computing would prove itself as one of the newest and brightest technologies of this century so far. Still today, the adoption of cloud computing continues, nevertheless, its faster, stronger, and more convenient counterpart is here. Behold, Edge computing.

Every day, we generate around 2.5 quintillion bytes of data. This number is simply incomprehensible to individuals. However, not only do individuals find difficulties with this fact, firms are seeing increasing amounts of data that need to be processed on a daily basis. Slowly, firms are recognizing the constraints of cloud computing. This is where edge computing enters the market. The newest alternative conducts its computations near or at the source of the data, as opposed to centralized cloud computing. Being strategically relocated and fairly distributed, edge computing brings many advantages. To start, the speed of operations increases immensely. This is a result of the shortened distance data has to cover. Take Siri; previously, any given voice command was received by your device, sent to Apple’s servers in the US where the answer or command was generated to be sent back to your device. These noticeably time-consuming travel distances are not present with edge computing. Additionally, due to the reduction of travel distance, the safety and security of your data are improved, as data is less likely to be intercepted. Ultimately, edge computing allows us to use more data-intensive devices at once, as bandwidth is not a constraining factor, unlike for cloud computing.

In conclusion, while cloud computing is still growing in terms of adoption, the next step is to be taken. In the near future, edge computing, as seen in electric vehicles will become standard.

References
Duggal, N. (2021). Top 9 New Technology Trends for 2021. Simplilearn.Com. https://www.simplilearn.com/top-technology-trends-and-jobs-article#3_edge_computing

Miller, P. (2018). What is edge computing? The Verge. https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2018/5/7/17327584/edge-computing-cloud-google-microsoft-apple-amazon

Regalado, A. (2020). Who Coined Cloud Computing? MIT Technology Review. https://www.technologyreview.com/2011/10/31/257406/who-coined-cloud-computing/

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As society and business gradually go back to normal after worldwide COVID-19 restrictions, the question arises whether businesses will return to usual business conduct. With major employers like Twitter, Dropbox, and Coinbase allowing their employees to work from home permanently, businesses are continuously considering revolutionary solutions to strategically respond to the current situation. Strategic choices, like the aforementioned, are inseparably linked with providing digital solutions to foster the change. Hence, firms must carefully consider the implications of changing business conduct.

To start, firms must ensure that employees have the necessary technological resources to work remotely. A McKinsey study showed that more than half the workforce has little or no opportunity for remote work. Thus, firms need to create the possibilities. By recreating a proper work environment at home, firms can assure that employees are not constraint by the lack of hardware.

In addition to providing the hardware, firms ought to adopt or update internal digital systems. As physical communication is unlikely to remain the sole way of communication, digital environments must be up to date and capable of handling an increase in usage. This includes increasing processing power, moving towards a completely cloud-based system, or acquiring an internal collaboration system like G-suite and Microsoft SharePoint.

At last, firms should establish a technical support team that possesses extensive knowledge on all systems adopted by the firm. This technical support team should consist of certified technicians that are able to solve any technical issues remotely with programs like Team Viewer.

Switching from a physical work environment to a (partially) remote work environment comes with various obstacles for firms. The three aforementioned solutions form a resolution for most obstacles. Hence, adopting these will positively influence the transformation many firms will undergo.

References
McKinsey. (2021). What’s next for remote work: An analysis of 2,000 tasks, 800 jobs, and nine countries. McKinsey & Company. https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/future-of-work/whats-next-for-remote-work-an-analysis-of-2000-tasks-800-jobs-and-nine-countries

Robinson, S. (2020). 7 Microsoft SharePoint alternatives to consider. SearchContentManagement. https://searchcontentmanagement.techtarget.com/tip/7-Microsoft-SharePoint-alternatives-to-consider

Harvard Business Review. (2021). How to Build Digital Dexterity Into Your Workforce. https://hbr.org/2021/10/how-to-build-digital-dexterity-into-your-workforce