Cloud Computing has a significant potential impact on every aspect of IT and how users access applications, business services and information. Although the potential for cloud computing is significant, the depth of cloud computing’s impact and the level of adoption over time are still uncertain and therefore requires frequent review.
In order to avoid costly mistakes or to avoid missing latest trending marketing opportunities over the next few years, Gartner comments it is imperative to continually monitor cloud computing trends and stay updated with enterprise’s cloud strategy and cloud trends.
“Expect to see the cloud mature as a platform for hybrid operations in 2015. New hopes, new accomplishments, new cloud data centers achieving new efficiencies through containers.”
Key Trends:
1. Software-defined security will protect workloads.
Software-defined security will become part of the software-defined data center and accompany workloads into the cloud. If we can define the network, the storage system, and containers and virtual machines on host servers in software, then we can also define the security that must accompany them with software systems. Guarding the data center perimeter is a hardware-based, if not fortress-based, concept. Security needs to follow with the software asset. In the software-defined data center, software mapping systems identify system perimeters and feed intelligence into a central monitoring system. That mapping capability must be extended to define the permissions and activities allowed to the software system, with a surveillance agent ensuring that it adheres to only those activities. Any exceptions must trigger an inspection and potential intervention.
2. Rise in Cloud Number and Types of Services.
IT departments will undergo a sharp rise in their adoption of cloud services which will mean they will have to adopt to increasing pressure to reduce cost while compromising little on productivity. The balance gets shifted from client/server to cloud based applications. Survey speaks that by the end of year 2015, most of the enterprises will have the majority of their data storage, disaster backup recovery and business intelligence apps delivered by cloud service providers.
3. Multi-tenant Data Centers.
Cloud trends show that cloud providers and enterprises will dominate the cloud landscape in the time to come. Multitenant data centers bring companies closer thereby giving access to vast number of resources. This triggers faster time to market and access, ease of services, flexibility and cost services while deploying and consuming cloud services.
4. The public cloud will go hybrid.
It’s not enough for a cloud provider to simply connect their data centers to the Internet — they need multiple private-line carriers to bring enterprise data into the facility in a secure and compliant way. Equinix has been Amazon’s preferred hub connecting its users to a private line, with a typical Equinix facility joining 50 to 60 private carriers. A few months ago, Amazon added Verizon and AT&T data centers as well. Access to private-line service can also be accomplished through a third party, such as Equinix-like provider found in secondary markets, such as Cologix facilities in Minneapolis, Dallas and Jacksonville, Fla. With private-line access readily available, hybrid is the new normal for public cloud operations.
5. Global Cloud Deployments.
The global expansion will be driven by cloud. Even the high-growth enterprises which drive increased revenue through globalization will be turning to cloud services regardless of the geographical location. They will soon understand that there is no point in building expensive and expansive data centers and applications worldwide while hiring local IT support staff to run them. This is a costly deal keeping in mind that you can lease such services from global pool of providers.
6. Clouds will spawn enterprise risk investments.
CIOs using both public and private cloud services to give business teams a chance to either succeed or fail quickly. In the past, the CIO got you the servers, desktops, and printers you needed. Now they’re providing the services that can drive the business forward. In effect, he says, cloud service providers are enabling CIOs to act more like series A investors. They invest small amounts in high-risk business teams that might find the next big thing — or they might fail quickly and minimize the loss.
7. Tall Promises Come in Small Packets.
Cloud promises to deliver a range of benefits which include a wiser shift from capital-intensive to operational cost models with lower overall cost, reduced complexity and greater agility. This will be a high value addition for businesses and activities which supports business innovation with potentially lower risks.
8. Best of Breed Solutions.
Enterprises will enjoy the benefits of adopting to a variety of best solutions which will ensure better performance and more flexibility. It shall also offer them better choice and interoperability. Those companies who relied on vendor lock-in have to re-consider their previous successful business models.
Conclusively, the cloud trends and related technologies will keep evolving and changing rapidly. The depth by which Cloud has been impacting all our lives makes it rank among the most sought-after technology trends around the world.
See more: 5 Security Risks of Cloud Computing
