Latest Trends in Cloud Computing Technology
There is no doubt that cloud computing technology has taken centre stage. According to reports by Ofcom in 2022 it was estimated that the cloud computing market was worth between £7 and 7.5 billion in the UK.
So far, cloud computing technology has typically been utilised by businesses as a practical and additional storage solution. However, its potential has inevitably snowballed, with its technology benefitting manners of communication, security, software testing and more.
As cloud infrastructure becomes quickly adopted by businesses, it is then useful to understand its new developments. The latest trends in cloud technology can help you consider new tools for the workplace and what this increase in automation can mean for your business.
Rapid movement to cloud services
Many experts believe it is not an “if” but just a question of “when” all businesses will migrate to cloud services. A survey conducted on 1002 IT professionals by RightScale in January of 2017 revealed about 85% of all businesses had a multiple cloud strategy. An additional 58% were also planning to implement a hybrid cloud.
Today, these figures are affecting how UK SMEs operate, with their preferences indicating a higher cloud usage over on-premises servers. Additionally, 39% of small businesses report the use of cloud services for business IT applications and data storage.
This rise in migration to cloud services in smaller businesses is down to a couple of key factors. Firstly, cloud services can prove particularly helpful for remote teams as they provide easy remote access to data. In the same study, 29% of UK SMEs stated they employed cloud services to support the increase in remote workers. Secondly, cloud computing was adopted by many businesses in an effort to cut costs.
However, many SMEs have concerns about the amount of data they have stored in the cloud and hope to reduce this dependency.
Machine learning
In recent years, there has been a significant rise in artificial intelligence in cloud computing technology. Many businesses have increased their reliance on AI, and a result driven sales in AI-led applications and other software. And as we can see, AI is already integrated into cloud by big players including IBM, Google, and Amazon Web Services.
Generative artificial intelligence, already introduced by Google Cloud, is expected to be the favoured trend. Microsoft Azure also offers cognitive services with many possibilities including route logistics, gesture-based controls, location insights and more.
Algorithms that can sense emotions, read images and faces are part of the cognitive services that may see more development in the coming years.
Serverless Computing
Amazon Web Services’ Lambda and the API Gateway have already laid the pathway for serverless computing to grow and evolve in a big way. With serverless computing, a cloud provider takes care of your server for you, making it easier to focus on core business solutions. This solution reduces business worries about managing a web server, infrastructure, or core operating systems.
Not only do serverless computing offer cost advantages, but also simplify software development. The pay-for-use billing model of AWS for example, makes the services cost effective and access on demand.
Container technology
Containers are a key buzz word and likely to be at the helm of IT affairs in the years to come. These are lightweight packages of software which help to run your operating system. For example, Google uses containers for Gmail and other services which operate on their cloud server.
The key advantage that containers offer is high levels of portability. In comparison to virtual machines, the portability between different platforms will also enable faster software development. Containers as a service (CaaS) is now growing as it allows developers a way to manage their virtualised applications.
Experts believe containers will be used to deploy micro services to solve real world problems as they are flexible and cost efficient. Enhanced security built into containers will make them further appealing.
Hybrid cloud shifts
Hybrid cloud is becoming the preferred platform with over 67% of respondents in an IT survey favouring it. Experts believe large enterprises will utilise hybrid mode for the safety net it offers. The flexibility between on-premises and cloud services can help strengthen data protection by preventing exposure to third party vendors.
With increasing demand for hybrid, the challenges of common APIs and lack of management tools will be the key areas for providers to focus on.
The hybrid model’s flexibility is also attractive as it inevitably goes both ways. Its infrastructure can both support the usual workload of a business and summon use of public cloud. This may be necessary whenever there is an increase in workloads that goes beyond the limits of the private cloud platform.
Training and certifications
As cloud services continue to evolve, so will the need for training and certifications for developers in cloud computing technology. Certifications are already on offer from giants AWS, Google Cloud Platform, and Microsoft Azure.
To cope with the constant stream of new releases from big enterprises such as Amazon Web Services and Google, constant retraining to prepare and retain skilled workforce is going to be a major focus area for businesses.
While most training programs have been internally focused so far, the future will see broader training and certifications for both tech and non tech.
If you would like to learn more about cloud computing technology or are seeking cloud services please get in touch with totality services today.