How IBM is using water to learn the cloud, discusses how IBM is planning to monitor the amount of water consumed by 300 houses in Dubuque, Iowa. A company named Neptune made the low-flow monitors and IBM’s new could-computing software will manage the data and provide feedback. It also states how the new monitors will provide more readings and important information about possible leaks and over consumption.
I believe IBM’s new innovative data software is very promising, it is a good concept and if it works out the way they plan, it will be very advantageous. My only concern with this concept was, what would your average citizen do with the data this new monitor will supply? Someone who doesn’t have an information systems or technological background would look at the meter’s record and consider it gibberish. However Neptune’s creation is the physical meter which will spit out the numbers but IBM’s component, their expertise in cloud computing, is the link between the raw data and the comprehensive information which is what will make the difference. This cloud-computing software will manage the data and from there IBM will be able to portray it in a “web portal.” This portal will be very easy for customers to read and understand.
I believe this new technology is very helpful in two ways when considering the broad subject matter. The first is that it’s helpful to IBM as a company. This test run is the perfect scenario for them to test their new software. Also, their interest in pushing their “image as the leader in cloud computing for sustainability initiatives” will be satisfied. The article states that other companies will soon require the same type of software and by IBM mastering it now, they will have an advantage in the market. It is always a company’s goal to gain a competitive advantage in their industry and it looks as though IBM is on their way to do so. Finally, IBM has always been “mainly a data-processing company.” People haven’t really identified with them because they don’t typically make consumer products. Now, the customers will have a product to attach to the company. If the product is useful, people will have a positive view, supporting their high value products.
The second way this new technology is helpful when considering the broad subject matter is, through “IBM’s three tiered cloud strategy.” This strategy is will allow the new software to benefit people on three different levels. First, the individual consumers, who will be more fully aware of their water consumption and can potentially see if there is a leak. Second, the city can use it to plan more efficiently; officials will be able to see the effects of their changes in policy. I believe this is very helpful for the above two because it allows for the saving of money, which is especially important in economic times like these. The third tier is the possible utilization by utilities companies. This would help them deliver a better product to their customers while at the same time, eliminating unnecessary costs for internally.
The union of Neptune’s hardware and IBM’s expertise in information technology, seems very promising to many sources especially James Governor, who is an analyst for RedMonk. He believes it has the capability to expand to electricity monitoring. Support like this keeps everyone in suspense to see the result of this latest project.
Works Cited
DuBois, Shelley. "How IBM Is Using Water to Learn the Cloud - Fortune Tech." Fortune Tech: Technology Blogs, News and Analysis from Fortune Magazine. CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2010. Web. 12 Oct. 2010.
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