September 30, 2011
As an expert of digital signature in the Cloud, it’s become my habit to try and access any new information available about Cloud technology. In the past, the majority of related articles mainly highlighted challenges (e.g. security and compliance). Very recently, I noticed a swift (typical fast IT innovation) change following the increased involvement of large IT players, a growing number of articles and voices are in favour of the ever-important shift from in-house services to off-site managed services like the Cloud environment. A recent Avanade survey of Cloud adoption inside companies showed that 74% of enterprises are already deploying some type of Cloud services, a 25% increase from their last survey in 2009. According to Tyson Hartman, CTO of Avanade, the outcome suggests the trend is more extensive than was thought before.
While celebrating this substantial technology change, one cannot ignore the role and sweat of companies’ decision makers who engage us with the social sciences as much as with the computer sciences. In medium to large organisations, the responsibility for adoption of new technologies or upgrades usually lies with the CIO. Cloud computing makes this task more difficult as it requires an adjustment to transition from running an IT department and equipment, to selecting, signing, and maintaining service agreements with external providers.
Shirag Mehta’s article (March, 201
1) provides an additional aspect suggesting there is a power struggle between the IT that sees technology (Cloud integration, risk management, and governance) and the Line of Business (LoB) that sees the solutions’ benefits (nothing to install, no software to purchase, and shorter implementation cycle). While being cautious and asserting differences between operations and IT maturity of customers, industries, and regions, Mehta offers a valuable input: to think long-term and deliver your proposition whilst engaging both parties equally.
The triumphant adoption of the digital signature Cloud service for signing electronic documents online by mid to large-size organisations serve as a great example to the above: a successful, well planned incorporation of a reliable, and professional service that connects both IT and senior management with the highest level of advanced electronic signature technology.
Till next time,
Cheers, John