Commercial cloud computing is a dynamic field that has undergone substantial evolution during its short history. Since its inception with the launch of Amazon’s Elastic Computer Cloud (EC2) in 2006, cloud computing has grown to become a major force in the world of information technology (IT). Today, a large majority of companies make use of the cloud. Gartner predicts that by 2027 more than 70% of enterprises will use cloud platforms and spend over $678 billion to address business objectives.
We are going to look at some trends in the evolution of cloud computing that may have a direct impact on the way your company meets its IT requirements. We will also look at some predictions about the direction cloud computing will take in the not-too-distant future.
Current Cloud Computing Trends
The following trends in cloud computing services and offerings present companies with creative ways of addressing existing and emerging business requirements.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a Service
AI as a service enables virtually any organization to benefit from this rapidly evolving technology. Companies can take advantage of a cloud service provider’s (CSP’s) infrastructure to run computationally-intensive AI applications that would otherwise be out of reach. AI as a service levels the playing field by enabling anyone to access the power of artificial intelligence to solve business issues.
The growth of hybrid and multi-cloud environments
Hybrid and multi-cloud environments will continue to play a larger role in providing a company’s IT needs. This chart from Statista illustrates the shift away from single public cloud or private cloud infrastructures to a more diverse method of obtaining computing services. Adopting a hybrid or multi-cloud approach enables an organization to pick and choose the most attractive services from multiple vendors to address business requirements more effectively. Managing this type of environment efficiently is critical in deriving the most value from the infrastructure.
Leveraging the cloud for improved resilience and disaster recovery
The cloud offers companies increased resilience against all types of threats to their IT environments and by extension, the viability of their businesses. Cloud backup solutions enable businesses to take advantage of advanced platforms without capital costs for hardware and storage media. Customers can recover data from cloud backups in alternate locations for increased resiliency and convenience.
Disaster recovery is an essential component of a comprehensive IT strategy and is crucial to support business continuity. Companies need the ability to quickly recover from natural or manmade disasters. Cloud disaster recovery as a service enables customers to recover from malware attacks or natural disasters without spending resources to maintain an alternate recovery site. Organizations are taking advantage of cloud disaster recovery to protect themselves in today’s dangerous threat landscape.
Serverless computing
Serverless computing is a cloud service model that removes the need for companies to manage their servers. Rather than provisioning and paying for servers that may not always be in use, in the serverless model, companies only pay for resources they use. This model allows customers to save money by not paying for excessive capacity and simplifies server management so they can concentrate on running their businesses.
Predictions for the Future of Cloud Computing
Large CSPs have considerable financial and technical resources with which to develop and implement new products and services. The availability of these resources will contribute to the following cloud computing services which will continue to mature in the next several years.
Big data and IoT integration
More organizations are realizing the benefits of collecting and processing large volumes of data to produce advanced analytical insights into business issues. The expansion of Internet of Things (IoT) devices to address a wide range of applications has introduced a new data stream that is best handled with cloud resources. The devices only need internet access to communicate real-time data with cloud applications.
Real-time data processing
Real-time data processing is associated with the integration of big data and IoT in cloud applications. Customers want to obtain value from their data resources through advanced analytics solutions available in the cloud. More organizations will store and process business data in the cloud to enhance decision-making and competitiveness.
Quantum computing
Quantum computing promises faster and more efficient processing for complex and advanced applications. Major cloud players such as Microsoft, AWS, IBM, and Google all have quantum computing offerings in their portfolios of solutions. The use of cloud-based quantum computers enables any company to take advantage of these powerful tools to address unique business challenges and compete more effectively in their market sector.
Secure Access Service Edge (SASE)
Secure Access Service Edge is an approach to security that relies on cloud services to handle the diversity of work processes employed by modern businesses. SASE leverages cloud-based security services such as firewalls, gateways, and zero-trust network access to protect valuable data resources and security deliver new services.
Sustainable cloud computing
Sustainability is a hot topic in many fields. The tremendous amounts of energy and resources consumed by cloud providers offer an attractive target for more sustainable practices. Major CSPs such as Google, Microsoft, and AWS have all implemented green practices intended to minimize their impact on the environment. Customers can opt to search for the most sustainable solutions from among competing cloud providers and help reduce the strain on the planet.
VAST is With You Every Step of the Way
At VAST IT Services, we take pride in our team’s ability to keep abreast of new developments in cloud computing. Our experts are on top of advancements throughout the world of cloud computing as we search for services that better address your business concerns and objectives. We can help you take advantage of the current trends in the cloud and prepare for new developments that apply to your business.
The cloud-based services we offer include:
- Cloud Backup-as-a-Service powered by Druva’s advanced backup technology;
- Disaster Recovery-as-a-Service leveraging AWS Elastic Disaster Recovery;
- Managed public cloud migration including assessment and security buildout;
- Cloud management with our proprietary VAST View
Call us today and start taking advantage of the current and future benefits of the cloud to help your business thrive.
