If we were to look for the Cloud computing expert, surely more than one would name Carlos Carús. Carús, as well as being part of the IMMUNE faculty, is the Technology Director for Amazon Web Services (AWS) in Spain and Portugal.
In fact, before we begin this interview, you explain Cloud computing is the delivery of computing services—including servers, storage, databases, networking, software, analytics, and intelligence—over the Internet (“the cloud”) to offer faster innovation, flexible resources, and economies of scale.. A concept that can sometimes be a bit vague, but is important to understand:
"Basically, the idea of Cloud Computing is the ability of organisations (private and public companies, start-ups, all kinds of entities...) to consume technological resources. I mean everything you can imagine: servers, virtual machines, storage capacity, databases, Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, IoT solutions... Technological solutions that are consumed on a pay-per-use model. You pay only when you actually use that technology. This is a differentiating element.
Technology that "you're only going to get on demand" and which has been key this year...
1. If there is one thing we have learned in 2021, it is that there is a demand for digitisation. And, among the different digitising actions, Cloud Computing stands out. So, do you think that digital transformation needs to go through 'the cloud'?
The differentiating factor is that Cloud Computing is helping to democratise technology. Historically, large corporations had the ability to access extremely expensive, large, complicated technological solutions like Big Data or supercomputing capabilities… All these technological products were very expensive and out of reach for anyone. The beauty of Cloud Computing is that it has democratised this technology.
Right now, Anyone from their home can use the same technology as a large company. Use it on a small scale and pay only for what you use (meaning you don't have to make those terrible financial investments) and, with that, get a product to market very quickly.
When technology has been democratised, when everybody plays with the same cards, when everybody has the same opportunities; suddenly, there is a lot of competition in the market.
We are in an era of economic Darwinism: if companies do not compete and do not offer better solutions to their customers, their partners, to whomever it may concern, they will disappear.
Cloud Computing is enabling that great competitiveness in the market to grow even larger and for us to have best products and services, end users.
Once the technology is democratised, there is more competition in the market. Large and, of course, small (enterprises) that are already cloud-native leverage on these cloud solutions in order to remain competitive, able to adapt and be relevant in the market.
Which means it's not digital transformation, Cloud... but rather, It's the cloud that's driving digital transformation.
2. What are the best practices of running Cloud Computing in an organisation?
There are a number of best practices, logically, for leveraging cloud solutions in a way that is reliable, efficient, and quick. A few market standards that have been defined and are what I believe dictate the basis of how to do it.
There are 6 major perspectives that large companies use:
The first would be to ensure that “technology and business” they are aligned. That technology itself is worth nothing and that there must be a business agreement.
The second, its fundamental and possibly the most important of all: the people. And by people I mean enabling people to have the skills, knowledge, skills to enjoy, to be able to apply solutions based on those wonderful technologies that the Cloud offers.
The third is to have a government framework, in which everything is controlled.
Another would be to define the cloud platform, wherever it is to be used. This is very closely associated with people: understanding what the tools are and ensuring those people use them.
Added to this is having a Very clear control of securitythat the Cloud will allow you to be more agile, faster; but also much more secure.
And the last one, evidently, is everything the operations processhow to be an expert in security, making the most of the Cloud, to address point number one we discussed regarding business needs.
3. What are the benefits of using Cloud Computing?
There are many, which is why large companies are adopting them. Start-ups are born cloud-native and even public entities are using Cloud Computing.
The first one is a very clear cost saving, based on scalability. With Cloud Computing, you can use technology when and how you need it and only pay for the time you use it.
So, if a pandemic suddenly hits, in the Cloud you simply switch off and stop paying, which means you can redirect your financial resources to more urgent matters.
The second one is also very important: The capacity for agility and innovation. The ability to experiment, paying as little as possible: that all your business lines are able to use technology to see if they can do their things better, but paying the minimum. It is fundamental for companies to keep innovating as much as possible.
There is another fundamental element – especially for financiers – which is Shift from CAPEX to OPEX. When I need technology, what I have to do is buy it in a traditional model. From that technology, I have several years to see that it has a depreciation (CAPEX).
The OPEX model is different: I don't buy technology; I rent it.. It's an operating model and if I don't need it, I can return it, which gives companies much more agility.
Safety. The capacity for automation to undreamed-of limits, the granularity of the Cloud. The peace of mind that comes from knowing that large parts of the responsibility for how the Cloud works lie with the Cloud provider, and this is validated and certified by international bodies and by market-recognised certifications.
The capacity for international expansionCloud computing is all around the world, which means if I have a company and I want to start operating in another country, it's very easy for me, because the technologies are the same. I just have to replicate them in other areas.
And the last and fundamental one: Sustainability. This is extremely important, because Cloud Computing companies – such as Amazon Web Services – have complete control of the supply chain. This allows them to optimise significantly and minimise energy consumption.
In fact, there are studies that say AWS's Cloud Computing infrastructure, here in Spain, is 5 times more efficient than the traditional agents we have. And that customers here, if they aggregate their workloads and move them to the cloud, will use 80% less electricity, which makes it spectacular.
4. So, what types of clouds are there?
In reality, there's only one cloud: the Cloud. Because there is another series of concepts called “Public Cloud” and “Private Cloud”; but if we consider the definition of Cloud Computing as being able to use as much technology as I need, in unlimited amounts, the quantity I require, when I ask for it, and only pay for what I need... this does not exist in Private Cloud.
A private cloud is basically buying lots of machines, a lot of technology, lots of servers and then give it when people need it. But you've already bought it, so the pay-as-you-go model doesn't exist.
So, that concept of “public cloud” and “private cloud”, I believe it's a fallacy that everyone has realised doesn't apply..
5. Technology is driving new professionals who, until a few years ago, were bizarre or completely unthinkable. What job profiles are we finding in Cloud Computing?
New profiles are appearing, that's true. Although Cloud Computing has that capacity to cover the most varied technological areas, specifically a series of very interesting roles have appeared:
The first (and it is very clear and obvious) is the Cloud architect.
Those professional profiles that have that knowledge of all the technological solutions that Cloud Computing can offer to end users and are capable of orchestrating them to generate the solutions that companies, entities or the corresponding company use in their day-to-day work.
Another very interesting one that has been developed with Cloud Computing is the DevOps Architects, where these two worlds of development and operations are mixed.
And the last one is the SRE architects, those responsible for ensuring the availability and performance of systems. Cloud Computing allows you to have highly available solutions, but that needs to be configured, managed, maintained... and those SRE profiles are fundamental to getting the most out of Cloud Computing.
6. What is the professional market like for this discipline?
There is a demand for spectacular talent. There is an incredible, imperative need to train talent to support the entire Spanish business fabric. And not just small, medium, or large companies anymore; even the major global cloud operators need all this talent. Integrators also need this talent.
For example: the 84% among Spain’s largest companies –if you look on LinkedIn– they’re looking for Cloud technology experts. They really need those profiles to get all these benefits that Cloud Computing can offer them.
Another clear example is that Amazon has said that within 10 years it will hire 1,300 professionals.. Brutal!
And, right now, We need to train people so they are prepared., because we're talking about job positions with very interesting technical knowledge, incredible career prospects, and a very, very decent financial remuneration.
7. Why train in IMMUNE on Cloud Computing?
I believe that the differentiating factor is that All of us who make up the Cloud Computing chair at IMMUNE come from the Cloud.. We are Cloud professionals. We understand the market, its needs, and we are capable of creating training courses that cover all those needs that we understand both private companies and corporations, as well as partners and integrators, are asking for day by day.
We have created A sequential curriculum Very interesting, where you can start from scratch if you have no prior knowledge. You can improve the knowledge you already have, or you can maximise that knowledge if you already have advanced experience in the subject.
Above all, (our studies) are backed by highly recognised certifications in the market, which will – obviously – ensure that your profile stands out from the rest.
The way we have orchestrated Our learning model is two-dimensional. In one, we identify the most interesting career paths on the market. And with these three dimensions, we have defined different entry points, depending on your professional experience:
Identify which of those three paths is of most interest to you, which might be most necessary for you, and from there, identify the entry points.
We have created that matrix to ensure all types of profiles can reach maximise your knowledge in the Cloud and be much more visible and competitive in the job market.
