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[Image omitted] - By Randy Gross
Job title or job role:
Cloud Computing Architect
Key responsibilities for this individual:
The cloud architect fills a critical role in the design and implementation of cloud-based computing solutions. The primary goal of the position is to build a resilient and stable cloud platform.
The architect reviews and analyzes an organization's current technology infrastructure and its ability to support current and future strategic objectives using cloud-based solutions. This involves analysis and planning to implement a solution that will meet business needs within financial budget guidelines. It also includes researching software and hardware products or services, and finding the best solutions and prices to meet the organization's requirements.
Other typical job responsibilities include:
Participating in the strategic design process and translating business needs into technical systems solutions;
Integrating solutions and strategies based on the analysis of business goals, objectives, needs and existing systems infrastructure;
Ensuring best practices are in place to maintain security and regulatory compliance;
Ensuring high availability, performance and capacities; and
Providing thought leadership and evaluation of current and future technology and technology/business process trends, as well as alternative design solutions.
Top industries or markets needing this position:
Cloud computing has become well-established as an option for IT operations for companies and organizations in virtually every industry and market. In CompTIA's Fourth Annual Trends in Cloud Computing study, published in August 2013, 90 percent of companies surveyed claimed to be using the cloud in some form or fashion. A handful of industries and market segments stand out in their embrace of the cloud.
Small and medium sized businesses were among the first companies to adopt cloud computing. The cloud allows SMBs to use enterprise-level computing applications and infrastructure without having to purchase and maintain hardware and software.
Governments at the federal, state and local levels are also adopting cloud computing for various reasons, with budget and cost considerations high on the list. Cloud computing has the potential to play a major part in addressing these inefficiencies and improving government service delivery.
The education...