A few years ago, some business professionals rejected cloud computing as the newest craze in technology that would only be useful for creating a lot of hype. The cloud has arrived today and is widely accepted by analysts and businesses alike as a key factor in drastically changing every aspect of the IT landscape, from the construction of data centres to the deployment of software to the handling of upgrades and beyond.
Given the crucial role that IT now plays in the business world, cloud computing is also profoundly altering how businesses operate. Cloud-based software, platforms, and even infrastructure are being used by tens of thousands of businesses of all kinds across a wide range of industries to simplify operations, lessen IT complexity, improve visibility, and cut costs.
What will the future of cloud computing bring as the rate of change quickens even further? Observe the following five trends in cloud computing.
Cloud computing adoption will keep accelerating
It is obvious that cloud computing is not a passing fad. In fact, cloud computing is expected to undergo even greater growth in the future than it has in the past few years.
Currently, more than 10% of businesses expect to increase their usage of cloud computing, and almost 25% of businesses already utilise cloud-based applications1. The increase is considerably more pronounced when expressed in dollars: Revenue from cloud services worldwide was $46.4 billion in 2008; in 2013, it is anticipated to increase to $150 billion, an increase of little over 225 percent. 2 Cloud computing is quickly approaching replacing traditional technology deployment models as the model of choice for businesses all over the world.
Mobile is the cloud computing of the future
The rise in popularity of mobile devices like tablets and smart phones is also having a significant effect on the business world. Today’s professionals can utilise their mobile devices to complete their work at any time from almost anywhere, rather than being confined to workstations in an office.
One of the main causes of the rise in cloud computing is the demand for flexibility from the mobile workforce. For employees who are constantly on the go, cloud-based applications offer anytime, anywhere access. Employees can simply log into an application with a web-enabled device like a smartphone or tablet and complete their assignment without needing to visit the office to utilise their desktop PCs.
Using mobile-friendly cloud computing apps to manage corporate data is becoming more and more popular among businesses due to its convenience and productivity advantages. For instance, analysts forecast that by 2013, mobile devices would account for more than a third of business intelligence functionality.
The cloud will expand in scope
The cloud is already international in many ways since businesses from all over the world utilise cloud-based products daily. Cloud services will, however, enable an ever-greater level of communication and collaboration between enterprises of all sizes as they continue to develop. By supplying local features like multi-currency banking tools and multi-language interfaces, among many others, more systems will be able to function flawlessly across many locales.
The cloud helps businesses become more frictionless
The cloud is perfect for removing barriers both internally—between departments or specific staff members—and externally—between customers and customer service representatives, for instance—by facilitating access to accurate information and simplifying communication. Businesses lose the friction points that once caused them to move slowly when hurdles are removed. Increasingly common cloud-enabled tools that help businesses become more “frictionless” include automated supply chains and dashboards that provide real-time data.
Cloud cooperation will rise thanks to social technologies
In addition to being more adaptable than conventional on-site software, cloud-based apps can also be more sociable. Why is this such a big deal? Users today anticipate social technologies like chat and microblogging to facilitate collaboration. Customers will want to utilise these technologies to connect with co-workers, clients, and potential clients as they grow acclimated to them and begin to favour them over “traditional” ones like email.
As cloud computing becomes more social, it will become a crucial component of how businesses handle their data. Expect this capability to advance swiftly because cloud computing is inherently web-based, and upgrades are routinely rolled out to cloud solutions.
Although it might be difficult to forecast the future, cloud computing will undoubtedly continue to have a big impact on how businesses operate.
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