Cloud Computing: An Evolving Infrastructure for Learning

THINK TANK DISCUSSION

April 20, 2011

Cloud Computing: An Evolving Infrastructure for Learning
6 key issues to consider before making a transition

	Participants
	Facilitators
	About the Think Tank

5. The decentralized nature of the cloud has made it difficult to access technical support

While content is gathered in a centralized location in the cloud, the individuals and companies that design the systems and software that support it are quite scattered. This presents a challenge, particularly when technical support is needed. Before the cloud, applications and information was maintained by an in-house IT department that understood the company’s system and could service it efficiently. One learning leader noted:

“One of our biggest challenges was finding a way to support our end users in the cloud. Most of the operations that design or service inside the cloud are small and do not have a large staff to offer tech support. In order to get the support we need from our providers we have established personal relationships with these companies—helping us to get around these issues.”

6. There are regional challenges in using the cloud

The system requirements of running cloud applications can be as little as a basic OS and web browser. And while the cloud simplifies an organization’s need to install and maintain software; it does require a certain network bandwidth to operate efficiently. In a global business environment, this might pose a problem, particularly in areas of the world not so technologically astute. One of our think tank participants commented:

“In the short term we are setting up labs and distance learning in a virtual manner. We have had some difficulties regarding disparate systems and levels of complexity across the board. There are so many people accessing information in so many different ways. This creates a challenge of creating content and a platform that can be accessed by everyone.”

Another learning leader added:

“Connectivity issues and low access in many areas, such as South Africa, have been a big challenge for us. We are struggling to establish the infrastructure to accommodate all of the variations. Our main goal right now it to serve a majority of users and expand coverage as we are able.”

Language and connectivity issues are the most common challenge to global applications. On the macro level, the cloud is very efficient in training a broad and diverse group of users. On the micro level, however, the closer we get to end-user the more issues emerge.

Expertus

Expertus


			Tom Clancy Tom Clancy is Vice President of Education Services at EMC Corporation. At EMC, Tom has held various field and corporate roles, primarily in Sales Productivity and Partner Management, focusing on field development, best practices and change execution. Since 2002, his primary responsibility has been leadership of the education role for all internal and external audiences.				Tom Kelly Tom Kelly has more than 25 years of experience in the education and training industry and has held positions at NetApp, Cisco, Oracle Corporation, Sun Microsystems, NeXT Corporation and Control Data Corporation. Tom is currently a trusted advisor for a growing list of customers, including small to mid-sized companies focusing on learning organization systems and strategies.

			Jim Hanlin Jim Hanlin is President & Founder of Best Training Resources, a business development, staffing, and personnel recruitment company focused exclusively on the corporate training industry. Jim has been involved in education and training for over 35 years as a senior administrator at a community college, director of education for a professional engineering association and has founded and served as president and a member of the Board of Directors for three other companies focusing on the development of corporate training strategy and custom training programs.

Expertus

FREE MONTHLY INSIGHTS CLO Best Practices for Learning Executives

Expertus

FREE MONTHLY INSIGHTS
CLO Best Practices for Learning Executives