Digital/web agencies have had a lot of evolution to contend with over the past decade. From the rise and fall of MySpace to the increasing popularity of Facebook, to tiny flash drives and 1TB portable hard drives... technology is evolving faster than firms could ever imagine.

That's why it is important that web firms are flexible when it comes to adopting new technologies ahead of the curve. Cloud computing, for instance, has hit the ground running when it comes to business adoption. However, before noting the impact cloud computing has had on digital agencies, we must first earmark the early stages of the tech.

In very basic terms, there is a good chance that you've already used cloud computing-based programs. For example, e-mail clients such as Gmail or Hotmail, utilize the cloud. Instead of running an e-mail program from your computer, as well as storing all of the data locally, you use the web to log into your account remotely and access information through the cloud - a network of other computers - instead.

Heavyweight players like Google, Microsoft and Amazon are already utilizing cloud services, but uptake of the tech is beginning to trickle down to small or medium-sized businesses (SMEs) as well. Indeed, flexibility and scalability is just the nature of the beast in the technology industry, so firms need to be prepared to adopt the latest technology (in this case, cloud computing) as it becomes available.

Furthermore, cloud computing has had an inherent effect on the spending of digital agencies. Instead of investing in expensive data centre space and other elements of infrastructure, firms can scale cost effectively by investing in cloud hosting. UK-based digital agencies that offer cloud computing services to their customers can also highlight these benefits. It's win-win for both parties.

Energy efficiency is always a perennial issue in the world of technology, so it must come as good news to firms that cloud computing is helping to improve their eco-footprint. By removing the physical footprint left by servers, businesses are saving energy and reaping the rewards, such as lower energy bills.

As well as changing the way firms store data, cloud computing is also having an effect on job roles themselves. No longer will software engineers have their typically regimented roles but instead new 'cloud architects' and 'cloud engineers' will emerge from the horizon. It's a fantastic time to be in the software industry, especially as the proliferation of cloud computing increases.

It comes as no secret that cloud computing has had a massive impact on the way digital agencies go about their business. B2B agencies can offer a whole host of cloud computing services to other firms in order to save costs; while those working in the industry, particularly in software, will have seen their world turned upside down through the introduction of the cloud. Designing and implementing practical cloud-based solutions for consumers, as well as engaging in the constant, ongoing management of cloud systems will continue to rear their head in the sector's jobs market.