"Cloud Computing" Emerging Trends and the Effects on Environmental Compliance & Reporting |
"Cloud computing is a model for enabling convenient,  on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources (e.g., networks, servers, storage, applications, and services) that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort or service-provider interaction." -- US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
As the concept of "cloud computing" is still relatively new, it should come as no surprise that many people (76% of Americans, according to an Oct. 2009 study by Penn, Schoen & Berland, PSB), haven't heard the term yet or have heard the term but don't know what it really means.
Even though I had been a user of various types of "cloud computing" services for several years, when I first heard the term I had no idea what it meant. Being a tech geek of sorts, I tend to read a lot about emerging trends in all areas of science and technology, not just environmental stuff. I remember reading something about Microsoft thinking about putting MSWord and MSExcel on a server somewhere and then a person could access these programs via a web connection and then create all their documents through that connection, on the remote server with the document ending up being stored on that remote server.  I remember thinking the concept was interesting, but not sure how useful or accepted it would eventually be. I think I read that back in about 1998 or 1999 or so. Keep in mind, the majority of people did not even have e-mail then. Well, it has happened, it is called "Office Live" and can be found here http://workspace.officelive.com/en-us/ . Google has started a similar service called "Google Apps for Business" which incorporates services and document creating and handling programs similar to Microsoft Office. Google's service can be found here http://www.google.com/apps/intl/en/business/index.html .
It's hard for us now to imagine life before or without e-mail  (although the US Postal Service would like to). As somewhat of a geek, I think I am ahead of the curve when it comes to using internet technology. I've been doing my personal banking online since 2003 and now even do my corporate banking and bill paying online and our corporate bookkeeping using a web based version (cloud computing) of QuickBooks. My banking and book keeping online takes less time, is up to date and allows multiple users (me, my bookkeeper and accountant) instant simultaneous access to information when needed. My bookkeeper works from her home 99% of the time. It's good for her and saves me money, too.
Not long ago software such as TurboTax or QuickBooks had to be purchased in a box at an office supply store or computer retailer. Now, the more popular version of these applications are web based subscriptions to the software that provide access via the internet with a simple username and password. Your data is stored on their server.
Historically, the issues and costs associated with using computers to crunch data has been that each computer in the office had to have an individual copy of the software on the computer. When a new "version" of the software came out, you had to buy multiple versions of the software and install them on each computer. Cost could quickly add up. The use of "bootleg" copies was pretty common, but as a corporation you could be exposing yourself to potential liability by participating.
 The new trend is to use scaled down versions of computers (less storage and computational power but faster internet speeds and graphics power, some for as low as $300) like laptops and "net books". All you need for work now is access to the internet and you can do your computing on some remote server somewhere else.
Costs - Pay for what you Use.
One of the biggest benefits of cloud computing is the pricing. There are several forms of pricing, either a monthly or annual fee, for an account in which several users can access simultaneously (like my QuickBooks account). Or a "per user" basis where each individual will have his/her own unique access account and you pay either a monthly or annual fee based on the number of accounts (Google Apps for Business). Some cloud service accounts are included free with the purchase, or subscription, of a related item. For instance my online banking account is included free with my checking account, and SampleServe's reporting software is included free with the purchase of our sampling services.
O.k. so what does Cloud Computing have to do with environmental compliance, you ask? Well, everything. The basis for any kind of environmental compliance is data. Be it air pollutant discharge, ground water pollution, wastewater treatment plants, employee exposure to chemicals, etc.. it starts with, and ends with, crunching data. We know that when it comes to data, computers are the way to go. Slide rules, although a good idea at the time have become an outdated relic, an antique collector's item. With the advent of high speed internet access and high speed and high tech mobile devices with special "Apps" for accessing data online, the computer as we now know it, with individual programs installed on individual computers will go the way of the slide rule.
These innovations are changing how Environmental Companies do business. Companies like Environmental Data Resources, Inc.; a company that specializes in doing the data portion of a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) has a "cloud computing" system that will generate the bulk of a Phase I in a matter of minutes, a task that used to take hours or even days. This dramatically speeds the completion of an ESA and lowers the cost. Numerous companies that specialize in Air Emissions reporting also have web based software systems that calculate emission and generate EPA and Other State Agency required reports. The Web based systems allow both the remote site operator and the "Corporate Headquarters" to have real time access to the raw data and the reporting functions of the system. This saves time, assures quality of data and increases the accuracy and speed of the reporting while reducing costs.
With the advent of "smart phone" technologies  (such as the iPhone) and related applications these web based data collection and reporting systems (cloud computing) and services are only to become more popular and sophisticated at an ever increasing rate. The rate of change over the last ten years will seem stagnant when compared to the rate of change over the next ten years.
Security
One of the biggest issues facing the full implementation of cloud computing is security. Although most "cloud service providers" generally employ a higher level of sophistication and security than the typical IT department of the businesses they service, a number of security-related issues still keep many individuals from trusting cloud providers with their most sensitive data.
While it is common for people to assume that the cloud provider is trying to protect user data, many end users of "Cloud Services" especially those at increasing popular "social networking sites" like "Facebook" and "Linkedin" (both forms of cloud computing) have a different problem - they don't trust the providers and suspect the cloud providers are actually using their data improperly or actually selling it to various third parties. Recurring headlines about the way providers of big social networking sites handle private user information have led many customers to feel uneasy about putting sensitive or potentially embarrassing information in any cloud-based social networking application.
And rightfully so! If you don't know what the end destination and result of giving up sensitive information will be, you should probably not give it up. You should know how your information will be used and who will have access. This knowledge should be provided to you in plain language, not a lengthy disclaimer that you need to have your Attorney interpret before agreeing to. Additionally, should you decide to terminate your agreement with the service provider, you should find out how your information and data can be reclaimed (or permanently deleted) by you in the future.
What the exact role cloud computing will play and what form it will take years from now ....well your guess is as good as mine. One thing is for sure......cloud computing is here to stay and will only get more popular, sophisticated, faster and cheaper as time goes on. |
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