[WSK Story] New wave of IT world rushing in

'Cloud Meets Big Data’ was the hot issue in IT Forum which was recently held in COEX Convention Center. Cloud Computing has been the main stream of Korean Internet services since last year. It sounds little far from your daily life, but over 10 millions are using the Cloud service. Let’s take a look before it’s too late.

Hot issue in IT World, elusive Cloud computing

Cloud computing is defined as a computing environment providing services through internet servers such as a data storage, network, and contents at the same time according to Naver dictionary(http://100.naver.com). In short, we put all data together into servers of data center so we could use them whenever we need. Just like the clouds intangible, the space doesn’t exist in computer, but we can handle them freely

Let’s take an example with an email. Whenever you log in, you’ll receive emails or data. Your computer actually doesn’t have the storage for data but you can take them out from the internet server. This is a basic concept of it.

Cloud computing is a technology that you can use the Operating Systems(OS) such as Windows, and Mac, and Word processor, Office, Photoshop, Games and all kinds of application programs and the saved data with certain payment. Many of Korean corporations and government organizations already adopted the service or moving to adopt it. IT service companies are providing a large webhard-type of cloud service for individuals as well.

Faster, Easier and Cheaper

The advantage of the Cloud Computing is that you can save the space and costs. All you need are a monitor, a keyboard, a mouse and the network function, and you just have to pay as much as you use. The other advantage is that you can use the data anytime with a variety of IT devices such as computers, tablet PCs, and smart phones.

For its cost effectiveness, the Cloud computing system is much more attractive to businesses than to individuals. With the Cloud Computing system, employees just need internet-accessible computer instead of expensive PC and software. In terms of security, the authentication process prevents the security breaches and information leaks.

Firstly, the server stability and the security must be guaranteed for Cloud computing. In fact, a cloud computing service in the US was down for two hours with a huge loss. In this case, users’ loss must be tremendous. In terms of security, like DDoS, servers can be the target for hacking or attack. Strict security solution should be prepared to prevent such a horrible damage to data center

Seize the Growth Engine of Future Korea

The scale of the world Cloud Computing market is expected to grow from 31 billion dollars in 2011 to 60 billion dollars in 2014. It is the trend that world class IT businesses and venture companies consider the Cloud Computing a key industry in the future. Global competition for Cloud Computing among business and individual market is already underway

In response to global competition, Korean government announced the strategy last month that they will increase the Cloud Computing adoption rate up to 15%. The official said that they will improve the legal system in order to promote the growth of Cloud Computing market. In addition to encouraging government agencies build up Cloud Computing infrastructure in a certain percentage, Korean government support small businesses so that they can be a global competitor through combining data center with Cloud Computing.

Korean companies are set to Cloud Computing service. IT companies sell their services such as large scale Cloud Computing and virtualization solutions. They move ahead with international companies to be the leader in the world market of Cloud Computing market

Korean mobile service company K on June 30th made an agreement of joint venture together with Japanese company S. K has a plan to build up data center in Kimhae, Gyeongsangnam-do so that they could provide data service for not only Japanese companies but also for Asian companies within a radius of 2,000 km. Global e-bay company E announced last 13th they will build up data center in Busan to support Korea, China, Japan, Singapore and Australia branches. Prior to it, US IT company opened a data center in cooperation with Korean Insurance Company K in Songdo, Incheon city last November. It appears that more companies will open data centers in Korea

The key reasons for these trends are geological conditions, less natural disasters, stable and low cost electric service and reliable internet service. In particular, IT infrastructure is the most highly graded. With these strength and advantages, we are looking forward to being a leader in data center hub through Asia and global competitor in the world cloud computing service market

Homeplus Subway Virtual Store

Let me introduce you about homeplus. Homeplus is a South Korean/British discount retail chain jointly owned by Samsung and Tesco. It operates hypermarkets and also home delivery shopping service. Though it is the second largest retailer in South Korea after Shinsegae Group, homeplus is my favourite place to do grocery shopping because it is very convenient, cheap, and close to my house. I registered a free homeplus membership and got a lot of discounts from it.

I usually go to there twice a month to buy some foods, vegetables, drinks, and others. Few days ago I went there with my friend and found some machines that attracted my intention. Self-service checkout. It really amazed me! So after I got all of things that I wanted to buy, I didn't go to the ordinary checkout but I went to the new self-service checkout. Haha.. That was kinda new things in homeplus so many people tried those machines and still the store clerk helped and taught them how to use those. Very interesting! You just need to scan the barcode of products and the machine will automaticaly recognize the product. After you finish scanning, choose what kind of payment you want to use, and bring your shopping things home. At that time, I paid it by debit card. The store clerk helped me to insert the card into the slot provided. I was wondering how if I want to pay by cash and I found that there is a slot for inserting your money, just like in the vending machine. Wow! I was amazed. It is so easy and fast. I love it!

photo courtesy of travel-avenue.com

Just a moment ago, I found this video from my friend's facebook.



Korea.. I don't know what more to say.. you are just sooo hi-tech..!
This is what I imagined some years ago.. and now I see it directly, It really exists and I can't believe that I am living in this hi-tech country. Alhamdulillah...