All the way up – Cloud Computing and Modularization


Cloud Computing is often considered to be the next inevitable step for dissemination of information. Previously, there was an accumulation of knowledge in open-plan offices, while nowadays this knowledge is saved electronically. As a result, it was transferred from seat groups to the server room, where the knowledge is accessible from the whole company premises. What is the next logical step? Of course, providing access from any location. Cloud Computing provides this possibility and allows collaboration at any time from any places. The knowledge, Intellectual Property (IP), that is saved in the cloud, is extremely valuable for companies. Due to the safety reasons regarding their IP, using a cloud might cause anxiety for many companies. Stolen IP can lead to a high financial damage for a company. But no reason to worry: Through precautions, such as modern encryption, a cloud is nowadays as safe against external attacks as traditional on-premises infrastructure.

Requirements for decentral working

Technical infrastructure is not the only requirement for being well connected and a good collaboration. Collaborating also means not having to redo a colleagues’ work. Thus, reusing designs and modularization is a pivotal part for decentral and modern working. Modular working still offers some hurdles for electronics development. In the field of traditional PCB development, many databases, where the IP is saved, are poorly structured. Now, most companies count on their developers’ memory in combination with a manual excel table – an auxiliar that only provides very limited options to manage it. One can imagine how hard it is to find a certain module without a concrete idea in mind as it was developed by someone else. Especially for new employees it is almost impossible to reuse their colleagues’ work. To provide the IP to be used practically in the design process, it needs to be managed centrally and automatically. Only algorithms can help developers to find the right modules, so the only way to solve this is transferring IP from seating groups into clouds.

Potentials of modularization

One field working modularly from the start is the field of software development. For software developers, it is normal to not write every piece of code by themselves, but to fall back on a collection of already programmed snippets. Therefore, a feature does not need to be created from scratch every single time, but many features are reused. If the developer finds a suitable code, doubled work can be avoided. Instead, more effort can be invested into individualization and perfecting. All in all, new developments can be finished much faster – a great advantage in a world that will be getting more complex with even shorter development cycles in the future. In order to effectively work with modules, even while planning one needs to keep in mind how this part can be reused. This can mean some extra work at first, but once it becomes the natural way of thinking, a more dynamic and forward-looking development is possible. This is the only way, a high level of complexity can be achieved in the short development cycles that are usual nowadays.


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One example in the field of electronics development using modules is the field of micro-chips development. In every device, there are various chips built in, which are not directly developed by the electronics manufacturers. Smartphones, for instance, provide a large variety of functions, which is only possible due to billions of transistors. In addition, Smartphone manufacturers launch a new model approximately every six months and every single model contains an incredibly high degree of Know-How and development. Developing all this within one company is not  economically effective – collaboration within the field is demanded. Some companies are specialized in developing chips as a business model. For instance, the company Arm Limited is specialized in designing processors and offers various versions of micro-chips. Such companies have a long history of knowledge and development and can provide a high level of expertise. Smartphone developers buy not only chips, but also years of development work and improvements. For chip-developers this degree of complexity is only possible due to modular working – they could invest effort into optimization rather than repetitive development work. As a result, they could contribute to the current state of technology.

Modularization and Cloud Computing – an unbeatable team

When working with modules, also called building blocks, it is a step towards the future. On the one hand, it is often a challenge for companies to build up a suitable infrastructure for modular work. On the other hand, this effort will pay off in the long term. Regarding home office and more decentralized and flexible work, modularization is the next step to take. It will enable colleagues to collaborate even closer and master even more complex tasks. However, the advantages of modularization can only be used adequately in combination with Cloud Computing, as the IP need to be accessible from any location. Following these steps, the electronics industry will still be competitive in the future.

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