Cloud Computing and the Internet of Things (IoT). 

Today I want to discuss a simple term that was coined the “Internet of Things or IoT” in 1999 by Kevin Ashton during a presentation at Proctor and Gamble (DATAFLAIR TM, 2019).  What IoT means is that in virtually every area of technology- a device, sensor, and software are connected to each other. (DATAFLAIR TM, 2019)

Furthermore, it’s a platform of sorts where we connect things embedded with electronics, software, and sensors to the internet which allow it to connect and exchange data. 

Have you ever wondered how the computer in your vehicle works and how a technician at a dealership explains what the computer sensors are telling them the problem is? I have wondered that a ton of times and often asked the question to the technician “but how do you know that’s what the problem is? What about other variables that only experience can tell you, maybe the computer isn’t correct?”  It usually ends up with a disapproving look from the technician, but you can’t blame me for asking right? 

I have a buddy that has a blog about Artificial Intelligence and post some provocative, yet thought provoking topics on Artificial Intelligence. Sometimes he asked how or when AI will take over for humans.  I have included a graphic representation of how Artificial Intelligence interacts with the IoT and the percentage of users with devices from 2003-2020.  See image below and to read his blog- click this link: Tony's Artificial Intelligence Blog.

Figure 1.  Devices per Users from 2003-2020, understanding the IoT

Figure 2.  Features of the IoT, focus on AI as part of IoT device usage, 2019.

Wonder how this works? Think about how the connectivity or networking; the sensors needed to collect, analyze, and share data; and lastly the devices needed to connect to the network? 

What does all this mean to the future of cloud computing? I have often wondered what can cloud computing do for your home network. Someone has to manage the systems (servers), and the software (application/program) for how we connect to the cloud.  Is it possible to have my own cloud? 

There have always been concerns on sharing our personal information or it being uploaded into the “cloud” and sometimes people use this term without knowing what it actually means.  I will infer that we are already at an age of predictive analysis in the web, cloud computing, and networking in the realm of emerging technologies. If you’re one that covets your personal information like I do, then I suggest you read between the lines or the “small print” of the privacy section of any company that offers cloud computing.

Think about this – if you have used Amazon, Google, Netflix, Hulu, Facebook, Instagram, etc- you are already using some form of cloud computing, whether it be the infrastructure (servers/equipment), platform (system/application), or software (program) as a service and should read the proprietary, third party sharing, and privacy policy of those companies.

For more information about the IoT, please see the following website blog from Data Flair Team. 

https://data-flair.training/blogs/iot-tutorial/

Let me know what you think about the IoT and how cloud computing are being used today and in the future. Should there be restrictions?

For more information on the future of Cloud Computing please see the website below. 

https://data-flair.training/blogs/next-after-cloud-computing/

~Nick A.

References:

Data Flair Team (2019).  IoT tutorial for beginners - a perfect guide to refer in 2019. Retrieved from https://data-flair.training/blogs/iot-tutorial/

Data Flair Team (2019). What’s next after cloud computing? – future of cloud computing. Retrieved from https://data-flair.training/blogs/next-after-cloud-computing/

Introduction into Cloud Computing

Here is an original post that I published in September of 2019 when initially selecting my two topics or focus areas for my blog. The first was on Content Management Systems (CMS) and this page is dedicated to the second or Cloud Computing. Here is what I originally posted to reframe the direction I'm taking this blog....but don't fret- I'll still make the connection between CMS and cloud computing and the way ahead (in my opinion).

Cloud Computing 

According to dictionary. com, cloud computing is the practice of using a network of remote servers hosted on the internet to store, manage and process data, rather than a local server or personal computer. (dictionary.com, 2019)

 

So why cloud computing? Why is this important to me and the above topic (CMS)? 

According to infoworld.com- cloud computing has two meanings an refers to workloads remotely over the internet or from a pool of resources to be shared by groups of people. 

 Furthermore; cloud computing can be categorized by SaaS (Software as a Service), IaaS (Infrastructure as a service), and PaaS (Platform as a Service). 

According to  HCL Technologies, A global technology company that helps enterprises restructure their businesses for the digital age- cloud computing or architecture generally refers to the various components in terms of databases, software applications, engineered to leverage power to solve business problems. the term cloud architecture defines components and relationship between them (HCL Technologies Limited, 2019). 

Below is the differences in above categorization of cloud computing: 

Software as a Service (Saas)- software that is hosted and maintained on the internet. Users do not have to install software locally. Think Amazon Web Service, Google Cloud Platform, Adobe, and IBM Cloud. 

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)- this is what provides for infrastructure and hardware such as servers, networks, storage devices, running the cloud, and available to users in a pay per service basis. Think about the components that companies use to run the cloud- servers, storage space and then sale or rent to users for use. 

Platform as a Service (Paas)- this provides users with the application platforms and databases, equivalent to middleware services. Think- Amazon Web Services Elastic Beanstalk, Windows Azure, and Google App Engine to name a few. 

 https://www.hcltech.com/technology-qa/what-is-cloud-architecture

Now that we've dived in and laid out exactly what cloud computing is with architecture and the general components of a cloud...stay tuned in the next blog we will be talking about content management systems utilization of a cloud and why or why not. To include some examples of cloud computing with content management systems. 

~Nick A.

Learning Content Management Systems

Learning Content Management Systems

Now that we have established what a content management system (CMS)- we will discuss a learning content management system (LMS). 

Although these two systems may have the same letters in their acronym- there are some differences, but both systems have the ability to create the same end result leading to people often times confusing one for the other.  

Let’s Start with the Similarities~

•  Both have the ability to create great website(s)

• Both have the ability to create effective online portals for: 
• Students to sign up for classes

• Engage with content

• Interact with one another

• Both are application used to organize information on a website

• Can be accessed and edited by multiple users on a multitude of computers

• Are fundamental to e-learning.

Now to review what a content management system is…more like a framework and can be used for any purpose that supports an organization’s ability to organize, modify, and present content.  It can be used for teaching and learning, but also to create and upload content such as text, video and images. You can even edit and manage content from multiple computers and accounts to creating layers of access for different levels of users.  

Now- a learning management system is unlike a CMS because it’s designed for learning. It can be built like a CMS (WordPress as an example), but the back end or behind the scenes applications are more user friendly.  On LMS’s, it’s easy to post educational or training content like videos, images, and text. You can also organized your content by courses and classes; edit courses, classes, schedules and grades; to include tracking students’ progress and view student’s activities. 

The advantages of a LMS over a CMS is that LMS’s are simply about speed, simplicity, and efficiency with easy to use functionality.  They are customizable and provide flexibility for designing, organizing, and creating content to support your goals and objectives.  

Johnson, N. (2019).  Content management systems (CMS) vs. learning management systems (LMS).

Retrieved from https://flyplugins.com/content-management-system-cms-vs-learning-management-system-lms/

Below are some LMS for you to take a look at! Has anyone used or is familiar with any of the following LMS’? 

Tovuti- cloud based solution

Bridge- employee development platform

Coassemble (formerly eCoach)- cloud based learning management system solution

Docebo- cloud based LMS

PiiQ- (formerly Cornerstone Growth Edition- cloud based employee performance LMS

Saba- cloud providing learning and talent management applications

Skyprep- cloud based learning management solution

Ti- Thought Industries- cloud based learning business platform

Prosperity- software system design to manage employees training programs

Braincert- LMS light platform to deliver online training

Vairkko- eLearning cloud based LMS

Auzmor- cloud based LMS for business and employees training

Absorb- cloud based LMS

Cornerstone OnDemand- cloud based performance management solution

Crowd Wisdom- LMS 

Below is the rest of the list…

https://www.softwareadvice.com/lms/learning-content-management-system-comparison/

I’ve attached an article about the use of CMS by Universities- surprisingly enough is that WordPress is the most used CMS by universities. 

https://uxdesign.cc/which-content-management-systems-do-us-universities-use-53430cf0f72b

Why should you use Content Management Systems?

In reading further upon the topic of Content Management Systems, I came across an article that specifically talks about why you should use a content management system for your website.

The article is by Karo Kilfeather (2018, April 5) who is from Poland and is a content manager for Percussion software.  Additionally she writes about content management, content marketing, SEO, social media and web design and how to make it less complicated.

What I envision is reading about Content Management Systems is the need for more digital content to be accessible to learners anywhere and anytime, regardless is the data is on an open content system or closed system (think Army Milsuite, or any organizations data base).

Keep in mind that before web content management software, users and authors had to rely on pages loaded directly to their servers in order to be published.  Even though some organizations continue to update websites in this fashion, it will have serious limitations on their ability to scale and improve their web presence (Kilfeather, 2018).

Here are some  reasons why you should be using a content management system.

1. If you need to give access to multiple people, then a content management system is the best way to provided access and permission to those limited personnel needing access.  Of course, these limited people provide the updates and monitor the content.

2. Content Management Systems have build in templates and reuse as many pages as you want with the same functionality on each page.  Keeps a consistent look for your website.

3. They have a governance feature which allow you to create content and publish to include customize and implement an editorial process or workflow process.  This ensures content is reviewed at all levels and approved before going live.

4. They are content focused, meaning the content management system separates your content and your design in order to allow you produce more website driven traffic rather than just content.

5. Makes it easier for you to change any information for other customers not in your traditional language- picture your from U.S. A. and have a meeting in China to present your content management system- you can change it from anywhere you have connection and access without changing to content itself.

6. Its coding free and makes the management and upkeep of your website faster to include opening content from larger groups of contributors.

7. Secured with firewalls and a decoupled content management system ensure it can't be easily exploited by those that mean harm.

8. Provides analytics  and collects data for content performance and effectiveness.  This is critical to for tracking performance and integrating third  party tools to help you.

Kilfeathers Article- click here

Content Management System~ WordPress

Yet- here is another example of a content management system or "a software the allows users to upload and share digital media" (Capterra, 2019).

This specific website provided by Capterra engages the Content Management System used in eLearning.

It even convers that WordPress is a type of Content Management System at it's heart.





I have posted the link to the Capterra Website here for  your further reading related to a Content Management System and the possibilities it can be used for:

https://blog.capterra.com/content-management-system-for-elearning/

I have added WordPress link for you to peruse and find the characteristics that make it a Content Management System.

https://wordpress.com/