Disruptive innovation is a term that is used often within the cloud space. However, what does it mean?
“Disruptive innovation” can best be described as when a product or service which has traditionally been inaccessible to the masses due to either technical or financial restraints has then been designed to allow it to be accessible due to the development of new innovative technologies.
An example of this could be a laptop or the introduction of smartphones which are now easily affordable and assessable worldwide.
The cloud as an enabler of disruptive innovation
The cloud, in essence, has always been innovative and disruptive. Many processes which traditionally had been time and resource-intensive are now much more achievable. In many ways, it has made the impossible possible.
Cloud services have dramatically disrupted and thus innovated major organizations. Thanks to providers, such as but not limited to AWS, individuals/companies with an internet connection and a device have the ability to create a high-performing service with minimal cost.
How is the cloud a disruptive innovation?
There are numerous benefits to the cloud. However, some are prevalent as key disruptors:
Capacity
Within the cloud, finances can be managed as organizations only need to pay for the products they use, allowing for flexibility based on capacity without incurring high costs.
Performance
The cloud gives access to a multitude of tools that can greatly improve internal processes, as well as it allows organizations to bring new services to customers which can benefit them.
Security
Cloud computing allows organizations to be more secure in their infostructure, with security patches being constantly implemented to ensure it’s up to date against new threats.
Global presence
Due to the decentralized nature of the cloud, organizations can find new market opportunities internationally easily, allowing businesses to scale like never before.
Within the world of technology cloud has been a true disruptor, but how can the cloud continue with this mentality of disruptive innovation. Although the cloud has enabled businesses to perform at a larger and more efficient scale, due to the nature of innovation, there may always be a new piece of technology that can change the landscape of our society.
For instance, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are having a massive impact on businesses. However, services for full integration and implementation of these solutions can be costly. But, as the technology develops further advances and the quality of data improves, this will become more accessible to organizations and be seen as an entity that is available to all.
The ‘expensive’ has become the ‘inexpensive’, and this circle will repeat itself. Cloud computing is the key to be on top of this curve and to ensure you, as an organization, are agile and ready to face the challenge.