Cloud computing has taken the world by storm, with the industry estimated to be worth $445.3 billion globally in 2021. That figure will explode to 947.3 billion by 2026.
Few technologies have had a bigger effect on the way enterprises do business. Currently, up to 94 percent of businesses worldwide use the cloud, and that number will only grow.
As the popularity of cloud computing continues to grow, new trends are constantly emerging in the industry. Understanding these cloud trends can help you know what to do to make your current cloud strategy more successful.
In this blog, we take a closer look at the top trends in cloud computing in 2021 and beyond.
Let’s delve right in.
Currently, 91 percent of enterprises use public cloud. 72 percent use private cloud, while 69 percent use a hybrid solution.
There’s a good reason more companies are opting for hybrid cloud solutions. It ensures that you enjoy the benefits of private cloud without missing out on the good things public cloud has to offer.
Using public cloud helps you enjoy lower costs, minimal maintenance, and great scalability. But this option may not be available for enterprises in regulated sectors. That’s due to the stringent requirements on data security and compliance.
For these businesses, a private cloud solution is recommended, although it comes at a higher cost.
A hybrid solution combines both public and private cloud models. It allows your staff to access non-sensitive business data and resources using the public cloud. For highly sensitive data, there’s the private cloud to ensure top-notch security.
Serverless computing is among the latest cloud computing trends businesses seem to be embracing. The industry is expected to register an impressive CAGR of more than 23 percent between 2021 and 2026.
Businesses love serverless computing because of its unconditional development and deployment qualities. The technology also features built-in scalability. This is especially beneficial if you envision changes in your business in the future.
With serverless computing, developers don’t need to manage and maintain network servers. That’s because the cloud service provider allocates all the necessary resources.
With serverless computing, there’s no longer the need for extensive expertise in Google Cloud Platform or AWS. Developers will only be interacting with serverless interfaces. That means they can focus solely on:
The time they would have spent on IT infrastructure now goes to other work. This boosts productivity.
Distributed cloud solutions have also been among the most popular cloud services trends. Generally, distributed cloud solutions allocate public cloud servers to multiple physical locations. In so doing, distributed cloud optimizes performance while maintaining compliance.
A distributed cloud solution can distribute services across different on-premise locations. Services can also be distributed among numerous third-party data centers. The original public cloud vendor remains responsible for the management of the cloud in distribution.
What makes distributed cloud solutions so popular is their ability to resolve latency problems. That’s because the infrastructure is usually much closer to the client. Moreover, this approach mitigates the danger of total server failure.
A data breach can be devastating, with 60 percent of small businesses folding up after a single data breach incident. Yet only 83 percent of business owners have no contingency plan for dealing with cybersecurity threats.
But that’s quickly changing, especially for enterprises that rely on the cloud. One of the emerging cloud security trends is greater investment in cloud disaster recovery.
The COVID-19 pandemic caused an abrupt shift to remote work. This shift triggered the need for scalable and accessible disaster recovery solutions. The cloud provides the answer.
Cloud-based disaster recovery solutions help your employees access the resources they need remotely. Your IT support team can easily monitor and maintain your business network. As a result, operations in your business continue without any interruptions.
There has been growing adoption of platform as a service (PaaS), and that’s set to continue in 2021. PaaS entails businesses using third-party vendors for cloud development platforms.
Typically, PaaS is available via both public and private platforms. The service boosts stability across development platforms. In doing so, it makes it easier for developers to:
What makes PaaS popular is the desire for businesses to modernize legacy applications. In recent years, PaaS costs have become friendlier as offerings expand. SMEs can thus take full advantage of these services as they’re now more accessible.
The vast majority of organizations now use a multi-cloud strategy. That means using more than one cloud service from multiple cloud service providers.
A multi-cloud strategy saves you from vendor lock-in. That’s where you’re essentially forced to continue using a service regardless of its quality. Generally, clients are forced into this arrangement because the cost of switching to another provider is too high.
Opting for a multi-cloud strategy gives you the freedom to sample the best cloud service offerings available. You can then take advantage of them.
In the coming days, more businesses will adopt a multi-cloud strategy. This helps avoid dependence on specific providers.
Cloud vendors will also create partnerships with other providers to combine their strengths. These partnerships will also lead to a faster market launch for multi-cloud products.
So far, Oracle and Microsoft have taken this strategic step and linked their cloud services. These providers were formerly rivals in the cloud sector. Clients can now enjoy running enterprise applications across Microsoft Azure and Oracle Cloud.
AI covers a vast range of technologies, from chatbots to location services to digital assistants. The industry has exploded in recent years, with the market now valued at $47.47 billion. In 2028, the AI market size will skyrocket to a mind-boggling $360.36 billion.
AI generally aims at automating repetitive tasks in your company, among other things. This technology will become increasingly relevant in the business world. Companies will use it for streamlining their business processes and eliminating manual tasks.
Enterprises will continue to use AI for such vital business tasks as data analysis. These tasks are meant to help businesses gain valuable insights into their offerings.
Edge computing involves the storage of data in localized data centers. These centers are typically situated close to the devices using them.
Here, computing and management don’t happen at the central cloud service network. These tasks are handled at the localized centers.
Remote locations that experience little connectivity can benefit more from edge computing. This technology also helps resolve latency problems that can affect the performance and speed of real-time apps.
Edge computing forms the foundation of the IoT technology. This technology is used in remote doorbells, facial recognition, and smart light switches. With businesses adopting IoT, edge computing’s relevance in everyday life will only increase.
Companies are now looking for cloud solutions that are customized to their unique requirements. This special treatment is especially essential for companies that use a multi-cloud or hybrid strategy.
Cloud vendors are also paying more attention to how the cloud can become a larger place for storing data. That’s because many organizations want to share data with different categories of people they deal with, from staff to clients. Personalizing cloud solutions come in handy for an enterprise that wants a specific group of people to see a certain type of information.
The adoption of blockchain technology is on the rise. This type of technology enables companies to track and record the journey a product takes. These insights can help the business improve delivery.
Businesses can connect this technology to the cloud to gain a clearer understanding of what happens in the course of a product’s delivery time. For instance, it’s easier to see where a substandard product originated, or what caused delivery delays. This information can help businesses take appropriate measures and avert the loss of millions of dollars.
The cloud is always growing, giving rise to new features that help enhance the way companies do business. The best way to take full advantage of these new developments is to always stay abreast of the latest cloud trends.
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