Cloud computing - Healthcare Research

and Development

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The world is slowly awakening to the realisation that many of the financial products and services we
pay out excessive amount in fees for, are now free and its all thanks to cloud computing. Gradually
gaining popularity since its birth in 2000, Cloud Computing eliminates the need for a personal system
or local server for sharing data.
We demand everything to be faster, expecting no movement in the cost. This article will briefly
discuss how cloud computing allows this, saving global enterprises huge amounts of money. Whilst
also investigating the possibilities of implementing cloud computing into the ever growing world of
Healthcare R&D Solutions.

Contents
Cloud computing - Healthcare Research and Development................................................................... 1
Cloud Computing - Reshaping industries ................................................................................................ 3
Cloud Computing Healthcare R&D - Trends & Forecasts........................................................................ 5
Patient Data Security .............................................................................................................................. 7
Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................... 9

Cloud Computing - Reshaping industries

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Cloud Computing has the potential to disrupt entire industries, reshaping businesses and markets as
we know them. The result is a total shift in how we think about information. Despite having already
made huge waves in the technology industry, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit, the
impact of Cloud Computing has barely even begun.
Giants of Cloud Computing such as, iCloud, Google Drive and Dropbox have and will continue to
readjust the way in which we use and think about digital content. All driving the creation of new user
experiences using digital technology. Industries need to buckle up and prepare for a revolution. The
rise of utility computing services, whether it be delivered via internet or private clouds, will continue
to rattle markets. The outcome being an influx of new business model generation and a refashion of
information sharing for years to come.

Thats just a small glimpse at what impact the cloud is currently having out there and its future
potential, I find these two quotes from industry experts very insightful.
Mark Ridley, technology director at reed.co.uk has stated that with the Cloud comes not only the
option to readjust business organisation but provides a new vocation. He believes the notion of an
Information Technology Department with noticeable difference from the rest of the business will
eventually bend to a network organisation of teams containing both technical and non-technical
skills. Its no longer feasible to simply have one team purely dedicated to dealing with everything
technology based.
The expert and user roles are now merging. Change is of course at the very core of IT
development. If a business has new employees joining and immediately they are not faced with a
similar level of organisation and services they are used to in their everyday life, you instantly have an
issue.
Backed up by Dr Tua Huomo of the European Institute of innovation and technology. Who argues
that switching to The cloud will not only challenge suppliers to voyage into a new technology
platform. Resulting in the development of operational processes, all of which are more keenly
focused on customer value.
Source: http://www.economistinsights.com/sites/default/files/The%20impact%20of%20cloud.pdf

Cloud Computing Healthcare R&D - Trends & Forecasts

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Weve touched on the fact that Cloud Computing has the ability to globalise the workforce
affordably. When it comes to Healthcare research and development it is predicted that from 2014 to
2020 we shall see a rapid expansion. The main factor being the ever increasing use and cost of
research and development by large pharmaceutical companies.
What are the benfits for Healthcare R&D? To name a few; controlled spending on infstructure,
flexibilty, less time spent on personal training, unlimited data storage, effective sharing of prosesses
all equal and a much more cost-effective plan.
Pharmaceutical companies who have already taken the leap to Cloud Computing use the system to
effectively manage and take care of their online clinical research activities. Driving this transition are
factors such as, evolution of next-generation, constant increased spending in research and
development and finally the growing proof that with Cloud Computing comes many advantages. Its
predicted that both biopharmaceutical and pharmaceutical companies will boost and push the
implementation of Cloud Computing within the healthcare R&D.

The continuous success and rise all boils down to geography. Consisting of Asia Pacific, Europe,
North America and the rest of the world. The top player currently and also predicted to hold the title
right through till 2020, is North America. The large number of actively participating companies
dedicating time to healthcare R&D is predidcted to push the North America Cloud Computing market
into the healthcare sector. As for Europe and Asia pacific, improved healthcare infrastructure and
emerging economics are set to improve their Cloud Computing market. If there is a hiccup in the
road restraining growth it will be the worries surrounding patient data security.

Patient Data Security

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So we know that modern information technology is being increasingly used within the healthcare
system, to both enhance medical services and of course reduce mounting costs. With great
opportunity comes risk. The cloud offers easy and immediate access to all medical data, with this
bears the risk of data protection. Is the cloud a safe option for healthcare?
There is a part of me that is highly concerned about the safety of medical information when being
saved in the cloud. However, there are ways to ensure security and privacy is implemented
successfully. With the right strategy there is very little to worry about.

Cloud computing requires an extremely detailed and advanced integrated and orchestrated strategy.
Fundamental to the success of cloud computing and the value it has the potential to add. Its simply
about ensuring certain elements are in place.
-

Understanding the value of Cloud.

Exploring Cloud workloads and deployment models
implement a cloud solution based on the above factors
Always have a plan to monitor key performance indicators and business benefits
Systems MUST be adaptable to various departments
Architectures must encourage open sharing of information & Data Incredibly important in
the Healthcare industry as it slowly moves towards an information-centric delivery model
facilitating data sharing and a collaborative workflow. Small steps are being made to
standardise medical data formats and jargon. The outcome being widespread secure
mechanisms available for all healthcare participants i.e. Providers, patients, agencies,
government, insurance etc.
Portability is key for remote access to systems and data.
Most importantly security and data protection are paramount -. IT infrastructure must be
enhanced and continuously monitored including underlying monitoring and management
processes. Security data privacy must be well communicated and fully explained between
company and patient. Having an understanding of everything that could potentially
happen/go wrong is incredibly important in getting this right.

Conclusion

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Finally, to conclude, although brief I have tried to touch upon all the key elements currently in place
regarding Cloud Computing, most importantly how it will affect the healthcare R&D. I understand
for some The Cloud has well and truly been integrated into their everyday and working life for some
time now. However, I felt it important to touch on the subject that will of course affect us all. That
being our data being shared and stored somewhere up in the air. Im a strong believer in pushing
things forward although I find it a little hard to keep up sometimes, The Cloud truly is a marvellous
system to push us into a much cleaner, economical, organised an efficient world.