Study: Personal Clouds Will Soon Replace Personal Computers

In recent years, businesses and their IT departments have strived to provide their employees and customers with technology that accommodates widespread use of personal computers. However, with cloud services quickly altering the enterprise technology landscape, some experts say the personal cloud will soon replace the personal computer.

According to market research firm Gartner, the personal computer has traditionally been at the center of consumers' digital lives, but with the growing popularity of social media, mobile devices, consumerization in the workplace and other trends, the cloud is beginning to reign supreme.

"Major trends in client computing have shifted the market away from a focus on personal computers to a broader device perspective that includes smartphones, tablets and other consumer devices," said Steve Kleynhans, research VP at Gartner. "Many call this era the post-PC era, but it isn't really about being 'after' the PC, but rather about a new style of personal computing that frees individuals to use computing in fundamentally new ways to improve multiple aspects of their work and personal lives."

Gartner said consumers will soon expect businesses to accommodate personal clouds, forcing those companies to rethink how they deploy applications and deliver services to customers. The report explained several "megatrends" that are facilitating the expansion of personal clouds and the death of personal computers.

According to the study, the consumerization of enterprises is the top megatrend driving businesses to consider users' personal clouds, as consumers are more tech-savvy than ever, have several technology expectations and are constantly connected to the internet, social media and mobile devices. Furthermore, consumers are quickly becoming innovators.

Additionally, Gartner said virtualization is changing how businesses create client environments, and self-service clouds are enabling users to implement scalable, on-demand resources whenever they want or need to.

Gartner isn't the only one predicting that the growth of cloud computing is prompting businesses to alter how they deliver applications and services while changing how customers consume information, software and other resources. In a recent Montreal Gazette column, expert Mitch Joel said enterprises and consumer tasks are rapidly migrating to the cloud.

Source: http://www.proofpoint.com/about-us/security-compliance-and-cloud-news/articles/study-personal-clouds-will-soon-replace-personal-computers-800730296

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