According to Gartner, global expenditure on public cloud services by end users is anticipated to rise by 18.4% by 2023. This rapid growth is not unexpected, as organizations have come to recognize the numerous benefits of cloud computing, such as improved efficiency, increased flexibility and enhanced productivity.
Cloud services are constantly evolving, and the way businesses use them is changing in response. For example, hybrid strategies are becoming increasingly popular which may lead to the debate between public and private clouds becoming redundant. Remote working is also becoming easier due to the rise of Desktop as a Service (DaaS). Moreover, businesses are increasingly turning to edge computing to reduce processing times.
As the year progresses, various developments are taking place that may affect the competitive landscape of 2023. To ensure your business remains competitive, it is important to remain aware of and take into account the trends detailed below.
Using a System of Clouds
The current state of large public cloud providers such as Amazon, Microsoft, and Google has been described by Forbes as a ‘walled garden’. However, there is an increasing need amongst enterprises for “infrastructure to be deployed across many models”. Businesses no longer wish to be limited to a single provider, and so the multi-cloud approach has been developed as a response to this demand.
Therefore, major service providers are joining forces to provide their customers with improved service. For instance, Microsoft and Oracle have come together to enable clients to deploy and manage corporate applications on both Oracle Cloud and Microsoft Azure. Through such partnerships, businesses can exchange data with their suppliers and other business partners. It is likely that new third-party service providers will enter the market, offering solutions designed to facilitate collaboration between widely used cloud systems.
Machine Learning and the Cloud
Advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) services, including Machine Learning (ML), natural language processing, and recommendation engines, will continue to be enabled by cloud platforms. This capability will be invaluable in many industries, such as the automotive, urban planning, and healthcare sectors. Cloud services also provide continuous backup, allowing businesses to offer these features to their customers at a lower cost.
The advantages of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to Cloud Computing are twofold: improved data management and new insights gained from analysing cloud-based data. According to research firm Hackernoon, as the cost of Cloud Computing continues to decrease, more businesses are anticipated to place a greater emphasis on AI by 2023.
D.A.S.S. – Desktop as a Service
Workstation as a Service (WaaS), also referred to as Desktop as a Service (DaaS), provides a fully functional, remotely accessible workstation environment hosted and maintained in the cloud. This technology includes productivity, backup and security programmes and is essential for employees in a number of businesses as remote working becomes increasingly popular.
Employees in these settings are remunerated by the clients who request their services. Benefits include optimized network management and always current hardware and software platforms. Amazon and Microsoft both provide DaaS options with their individual Workspaces and Windows Virtual Desktop platforms.
Computing at the Frontiers
Cloud computing offers many advantages, however there are some drawbacks as well. Edge computing is a viable option to meet the increasing requirements of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, as it utilises regional data centres for processing and storing data.
In order to prevent the network from being overloaded with large video data files, security cameras can transmit the data to local processing equipment. Facial recognition is just one of the potential uses for this technology; it can also be used to power smart home devices, such as doorbells, thermostats and light switches. By combining this technology with other technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence, it is possible to create innovative processing solutions.
Leading names such as Dell, HPE, IBM and Intel offer edge computing services. Edge computing, like other elements of cloud computing, is not an either/or decision. Companies can save time and money by processing data at the edge before sending only the required information to a centralised cloud service.
Edge computing has several beneficial aspects, such as data processing closer to its origin, reducing the strain on network resources, and enhancing the protection of sensitive corporate data. Furthermore, edge computing could be advantageous in locations where access is restricted. As the Internet of Things increases and businesses require more processing flexibility, edge computing is likely to become even more important.
Internal Cloud
As businesses become increasingly aware of the benefits of cloud computing, the use of private clouds is becoming increasingly prevalent. This is indicative of the growing popularity of this model, which allows for greater control and flexibility in the management of processes.
As hybrid cloud solutions become increasingly commonplace, the distinction between public and private clouds is becoming less relevant. This approach allows businesses to become more efficient by storing less sensitive data in the public cloud, while keeping more sensitive client data in a private solution.
The Rise of Server-Less Computing
Serverless computing provides developers with an efficient way to create applications, as it eliminates the need to maintain network servers and allows them to focus on activities such as enhancing user interfaces (UI) and user experiences (UX). This can increase productivity and output.
Serverless computing provides a range of benefits, including faster product releases, lower development costs and improved agility when responding to changing customer needs. It is anticipated that the serverless computing market will grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of approximately 23% between now and 2026.
Conceive of a Refreshed Cloud Computing Strategy
The cloud brings a range of options that businesses can utilise to meet their individual needs. In light of this, it is beneficial for organisations of all sizes to analyse their current cloud strategies, explore new possibilities and devise a new cloud computing plan.
