I usually only write about B2B Marketing, but when I came across some interesting insights on cloud computing trends (courtesy of Information Management Magazine) called 5 Cloud Trends for 2013 and Beyond – I knew this was an opportunity to combine my passion for marketing and technology. The cloud is revolutionizing business as we know it today.  Small companies now have the means to be on the same playing field as larger organizations.

As far as marketing, the cloud computing model represents a breakthrough with the introduction of a more simplified and cost-effective way for the delivery of marketing services. Indeed, many marketing automation specialists and digital marketers alike, are embracing the cloud today.

There is a lot to like about the cloud. The Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) cloud model is growing rapidly in user adoption and represented by popular subscription-based companies such as salesforce.com and Dropbox.  SaaS offers software and technical services that would otherwise be cost-prohibitive and difficult to manage for many organizations, particularly small businesses. The provider makes it easy for the consumer, looking after all software development, maintenance and upgrades.

Marketers gravitate towards these type of solutions because they are quicker and easier to implement without much need of the IT department`s resources than typical on-premise solutions.

The Information Management cloud trends slide presentation is found next in its entirety in an easy-to-read format (minus the advertising). I enjoyed reading about the advent of the “personal cloud,“ whereby the workspace is no longer location bound – the availability of online services accessible everywhere and on any type of device will be the new normal.  Content is considered to be more secure in the “personal cloud“ world, with data found within the protective, centralized confines of the data center.

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