Why will developers force us to the cloud, and when?

This week, I had a prospect ask me if they should upgrade their software to the new cloud version, or upgrade their old server that has no spare capacity. This got me thinking about the future, and the concept frightened me a little. Think about it – why would a developer want you to use your server once they've written code for the cloud?

Of course, they absolutely would not want you to, and here's why:

1. In IT, variables cost someone money to manage.

By that I mean if you write software for any computer running any version of the operating system, you have lots of testing to do at huge cost. If a client has a hardware fault that impacts your software, you and the client lose time and money chasing down the fault. If a client has, for example, a new antivirus application that blocks access to the application components, support must be provided at additional cost.

Each upgrade runs risks of causing conflicts with other systems leading to – you guessed it – even more costs.

2. Managing multiple versions of code increases costs.

With cloud-based software, the vendor has complete control over the software version and the platform it runs on. They only need to provide support for your browser, and even then they can specify the browser you must use. Each time they upgrade, they do it to the entire platform in one place on one platform of a known technology and vintage. Thus, it is easy to replicate faults and do testing.

3. The battle between software vendors and infrastructure.

When a company looks to buy software, they get quotes from software companies and select the software they want to purchase based on suitability and price. The cost is typically more than the company wants to spend, but they eventually come to the party. Only after the buying decision is made, will the software company stress the importance of the infrastructure that will be required to run the software. This typically blows the budget, and creates stress for the client and typically for the software company as well.

If the hardware purchased is under strength, or poorly set up, it will impact on the software company who will do more work to support the environment than otherwise required. Hence, more cost and more effort; not necessarily more profit.

So, it is inevitable that we will all adopt cloud computing quite quickly as the software developers get on board with the benefits of removing the infrastructure layer. As for when, well, it has already started with Google apps and Microsoft slugging it out for our email services and desktop applications. One offers cheap, the other offers quality tools we already know how to use. Both are making thousands of sales and are building their reputations. Both offer platforms for the developers to host applications, and will soon have hundreds of products to offer us. So, the when is really as soon as the vendors have the confidence to stop supporting installed applications, or as soon as you get savvy to the savings available and shift.

I hope you're already contemplating how you will adapt your business systems using cloud alternatives to today's already-dated technology. No doubt we are on the verge of another IT bubble as this IT technology cuts significant waste and frustration from the IT industry, and drives massive profits for the industry leaders who get it right. The battle is on for this new market place, and there are many viable contenders and, as yet, no clear industry leaders. So, seek guidance on what technologies are stable and worthy of your attention, and look out for the wannabes who will get tossed aside as the market leaders emerge.

Remember that moving from one cloud solution to another for a line of business applications will be a major expense in terms of migration of data, reworking of workflow processes and staff training, so make sure you get it right the first time.

David Markus is the founder of Combo - the IT services company that ensures IT is never an impediment to growth.