Here are the five biggest changes in cloud computing that every CEO must prepare to maximize opportunities and optimize their business.
The emergence of cloud computing is one of the most significant changes in information technology today, especially for business. But like a real cloud moving across the horizon, the technology keeps changing. Here are the five biggest changes in cloud computing that every CEO must prepare to maximize opportunities and optimize their business.
More successful migration:
While most businesses have diverted at least partially, if not all, of their computing, needs to the cloud, you will be surprised that thousands of people still struggle with the best way to use the cloud, especially small and medium businesses. As more and more companies of all sizes move their applications and services to the cloud, they streamline the modelling, testing, and scaling of their offerings in ways that were previously not possible. Regardless of the convenience and comfort provided by cloud solutions, the actual migration process can present serious problems, such as time lags and security challenges. Successful migration to the cloud is a critical process and requires planning, moving the least critical and most suitable cloud applications to test the water and help solve any problem when the process continues.
The emergence of original cloud & micro user services:
Docker and kubernetes are environments referred by “cloud Native”, which provides decouple services. The result is that developers can rely on a myriad of open code directories (such as Bluemix) available to build applications using the public source code, greatly reducing the risk of dependency. Decoupling also allows developers to focus on specific functions known as “micro-services,” breaking programs into small pieces that can be processed simultaneously, rather than relying on a single monolithic architecture to complete complex tasks. Microservices allows developers to handle it easier with repairs and updates, potentially providing a better user experience for customers. Although the “change” of this methodology can be very useful, there is a learning curve that requires a change in the next mindset.
Edge computing:
Cloud computing offers endless opportunities, but increasing use of connected devices effectively reduces cloud bandwidth, slowing down computing. The current system often sends all available data to the cloud, whether useful or not, clogging up bandwidth and providing less effective services. Traffic congestion on the data highway will only get worse with the arrival of tsunami data that will be carried by the IoT revolution. We currently produce 2.5 quintillion bytes of data every day and will have more than 20 billion connected devices by 2020. Edge Computing is a new solution to overcome this challenge. Edge computing allows businesses to store and process “on-site” or central data physically closer than a cloud – that is, on the “edge” of the network – which means there is far less latency and, furthermore, faster and better services. Edge computing will help enable next-generation technology such as autonomous vehicles (where latency can be the difference between driverless mobility, fatal accidents and accidents) and targeted customer interactions as part of the omnichannel retail experience, potentially rejuvenating brick-and-mortar shopping, and much more. Edge computing solutions are designed to suit the demands of use cases because data storage and hospital computing will be different from data storage and smart city computing or concert venues. Companies must find ways to combine edge computing to be more effective and more efficient with their limited resources.
More multi-cloud approaches:
AWS may still be a leader in on-demand cloud services, but competitors such as Microsoft, Google, IBM, and others continue to work hard. But does your business really have to choose only one? Many companies now use a multi-cloud approach. It is estimated that by 2019, a multi-cloud approach will be used by 70 per cent of companies. First and foremost, diversifying your partnership is a way to prevent data loss or downtime in the event of a cloud failure. This is also a strategy that prevents vendor locking. Different suppliers have different strengths – from price competitiveness to speed, capacity and functionality. Google, for example, excels in machine learning and analytics options, while Microsoft shines in the benefits and features of the company. So, for example, some companies might prefer to store certain data with Google for analytical purposes while still using Microsoft or AWS. Effective use of the cloud requires mapping multi-cloud plans to get the best business results.
The emergence of public-private hybrid clouds:
Not all information must be in the public cloud, or every information must be isolated on a private server because this will cost a lot of money for your business. In addition to protecting important information from possible violations or loss, the use of a hybrid cloud also allows “cloud bursting,” helping your business handle increased demand while maintaining the privacy of important and sensitive information. An added benefit is that hybrid cloud allows a mixture of personal and public services, depending on your specific business needs. This might not be right for every business, but if you have important information to protect and very consumer demand, it’s a good idea to take a closer look.
There is no one-size approach to all the major changes that occur in cloud computing today. The demands of different companies in various industries and sectors are changing rapidly, which means that network infrastructure must follow. When it comes to corporate data storage, most of the entities that have moved to the cloud recommend the closest attention to the migration process. Select a system that is not critical first, but still represents a level of complexity that can identify challenges, eliminate processes, identify gaps, fill gaps and determine the best roadmap to continue moving the appropriate system to the cloud. By doing this, you will be able to improve what needs to be moved to the cloud and determine the best risks and processes to use for your company. By utilizing trends in cloud computing that work for your business, you can optimize your system and be sure that your data and processes are safe and efficient, coming rain or shine.
I wrote a case study of one company’s migration to cloud (AWS), It includes the migration approach, lessons learned, and final benefits, with the comments section having a lot more information on the actual process of migration.