Converging Clouds, Networks and Devices to Create Transformational Possibilities
Every breakthrough technological wave brings with it a host of opportunities, and of course challenges. The coming convergence of cloud, network and devices is set to be a truly transformational shift, bringing together and combining the capabilities of fields that are each by themselves advancing at a rapid pace. The amplified power of these converged technologies will open up possibilities that are currently difficult to fully imagine or predict, and drive demand for personnel who can help make them a reality.
Tech trinity
Cloud computing has already more than demonstrated its importance to today’s world and much of the technology that underpins it. From mobile functionality to big data analysis through to making AI accessible and viable, the cloud now functions as the brains for numerous aspects of digital tech.
Linking that processing and storage power with an ever-growing array of devices are networks in the form of optic fibre cables, 5G and internet delivered via satellite. The faster these networks can carry data the quicker devices and external sources of computing power and memory can communicate with each other. Ultra-low-latency interconnected networks open even greater potentiality in applications and operations.
If there is one device that simply illustrates both the advances in portable tech and the power of interconnectedness it is surely the not so humble smartphone. In a few short decades, the smartphone has taken the mobile phone — itself a borderline miraculous technology a few decades previously — from a portable verbal communication device to a powerful pocket computer with nearly instantaneous access to almost the entirety of human knowledge.
The sum of its parts
The convergence of these three crucial components of tech will contribute to an extension of the Internet of Things (IoT) to an Internet of Everything (IoE), an idea coined at Cisco, which describes the connection of people, processes, data and objects. This will see machines seamlessly communicating with each other and with people, and people interacting with each other in ways enhanced by technology.
Helping us get to this next level will be more advanced networks, such as 6G, also referred to as Beyond 5G, which promises to take connection speeds, capacity, connectivity and low latency all into the ‘ultra’ realm, while drastically reducing power consumption. With encouragement from the government, many of Japan’s major tech firms and mobile providers are cooperating on the development of the new infrastructure. And for devices to be connected wherever they may operate will require network coverage to expand into remote areas, the seas, the skies and even potentially into space.
A related technology is Local 5G: small, customisable private networks that can be deployed in remote areas. Trials of Local 5G have already been carried out in Japan, utilising it in fields including telemedicine, drone delivery and automated agriculture. Though the Local 5G market is still in its infancy in Japan and elsewhere, it is predicted to grow exponentially in the coming years.
Being separated from public networks also helps Local 5G address one of the concerns that will inevitably intensify as connected tech advances, that of security. As an ever-larger proportion of the economy, society and daily life becomes digitalised and interconnected, the potential damage that can be wreaked by malicious actors or accidental outages expands in parallel. Given that the vast majority of this new connected world will not be operating on Local networks (and they are not invulnerable anyway), enhanced security and back-up systems will be essential.
On the edge
In addition to hyperconnectivity and all the potential advantages (and risks) that brings, what devices can do by themselves is also advancing at an exponential rate. A crucial piece of this network puzzle is the development of edge computing and edge AI, computing power that can operate in devices unassisted. These can allow even the smallest pieces of equipment to be functional without connecting to remote servers. As chips continue to shrink, algorithms lightweight and nimble enough to run on them are being developed. Tokyo-based AISing is a leader in this field, and the firm’s solutions are already in use in dozens of projects in areas including manufacturing, construction and drones.
Most major big tech players such as Amazon’s AWS, Microsoft’s Azure and Google Cloud are already vigorously competing to dominate this lucrative technology business, are set to keep investing and expanding in the field.
In parallel with the advance and convergence of the cloud, networks and devices, there is a growing need for human resources with the skills required to design, deploy and operate the tech and solutions in the respective fields. This includes roles like IT infrastructure engineers and architects, cloud application developers and AI data scientists whose skills are needed in both tech companies as well as in house for end users.
In addition, those with the ability to manage the related projects that will be undertaken, and others with the vision to imagine the as yet unseen possibilities that will be created, are also set to be in high demand.
By: Gavin Blair
We are currently hiring for:
• AWC – Developer, Data Architect, Data Engineer, Cloud Solution Architect
• Bilingual Project Coordinator, Project Manager• Cloud Engineer
• Data Analyst, Architect, Consultant, Scientist
• Salesforce – Engineer/Technical lead, Project Manager/Technical Architect, Global Delivery Partner
• SAP – Project Manager, Sr. Function Consultant/Lead
• Technical – Lead, Support Analyst, Trainer
• Tech – Senior Account Executive
To find out more about hot roles in IT and elsewhere please contact us at +81-3-5962-5888 or email us at info@slate.co.jp