It can’t be underestimated the impact cloud computing has had on modern business operations, from digital transformation to improving scalability, reducing costs, expanding the use of data insights and analytics, advancing application development, and even supporting and enabling remote working environments.
Looking back, it’s safe to say many businesses wouldn’t be able to operate the way they do today without cloud computing innovations. But if we start looking towards the future, what further impact can we expect cloud computing to have in the short and long term?
Understanding the future trends of cloud computing puts business and IT leaders in an advantageous position. It enables them to make informed decisions, stay competitive, and innovate more effectively. This helps them avoid the need for sudden pivots in the face of rapid changes.
In this article, we will be exploring some of the expert predictions currently being seen and discussed amongst cloud leaders and how businesses can utilise them to improve business readiness.
Six expert predictions for the future of cloud technology
1. 5G enabling advanced technologies
As many already know, 5G is the latest generation of wireless technology, providing faster internet speeds, lower latency, and more reliable connections. With 5G, cloud services can operate more efficiently, enabling real-time data processing and applications that require immediate responses, such as autonomous vehicles and smart city infrastructure.
Experts are predicting that the integration of 5G with cloud computing will significantly enable the adoption of advanced technologies, thanks to the ability to achieve high-speed connectivity. This will enhance user experiences and open new possibilities for innovation.
2. Acceleration of cloud-native applications
Cloud-native applications are specifically designed to run in cloud environments and use microservices architecture. These applications offer enhanced resilience and increased agility and scalability, allowing businesses to quickly adapt to changing needs and deploy updates efficiently.
Experts predict that we will soon see an accelerated shift towards cloud-native development, driving innovation and operational efficiency. Businesses will benefit from faster development cycles and an improved ability to scale services on demand, which in turn will impact time to market and competitiveness, widening the gap between businesses that are and are not adopting cloud-native applications.
3. Securing data with blockchain
Blockchain is a decentralised digital ledger that records transactions across multiple computers securely and transparently. It ensures that data cannot be altered retroactively.
Integrating blockchain with cloud computing enhances security, traceability, and trust in cloud services. This is particularly beneficial for industries that require secure transactions and data integrity, such as finance, supply chain, and healthcare.
With ever-increasing cyber security risks and the incidence of data breaches, it’s not hard to see why many are predicting a growing use of blockchain in cloud services to secure data and transactions. Those who adopt the use of blockchain are going to be able to offer more secure and transparent digital operations and more easily implement new business models.
4. Expanded use of virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR)
When hearing VR, most people think of headsets and fun games. However, VR and AR are advanced technologies that can be used across multiple business environments, including training programs and product demonstrations, and to create immersive and interactive customer experiences. And according to cloud experts, we should expect to see a lot more of this very soon.
Supported by cloud infrastructure that ensures high performance and accessibility, the possibilities and accessibility of VR and AR has increased, leading to more innovative applications in various sectors. Which in time, no doubt, will sway the expectations of customers and consumers who become more used to these types of experiences.
5. Prioritisation of cloud security
Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) is a collection of tools and practices that help organisations manage and improve their cloud security by identifying and mitigating risks and compliance issues. So, it’s no wonder we’re already seeing an increased adoption of CSPM, which enhances a business's ability to secure its cloud environments.
The ongoing threat and growing sophistication of cyber attacks will see businesses prioritise cloud security to protect sensitive data and maintain regulatory compliance. CSPM has been shown to reduce vulnerabilities and ensure compliance with industry regulations.
6. Digitial twins become commonplace
This one might be more of a surprise to those outside IT circles. A digital twin is a virtual replica of a physical object, system, or process that uses real-time data to simulate, analyse, and optimise performance.
Digital twins can improve product design, maintenance, and operational efficiency by providing insights based on real-time data and predicting issues. Advancements in cloud computing and the Internet of Things (IoT) will enable more industries to implement digital twins across their processes, improve their insights and enable proactive planning and response. This will no doubt lead to more efficient operations and innovative business strategies.
Helping businesses stay ahead of the curve
While each of these predictions focuses on different technologies and capabilities, they have an underlying commonality – those that do it will become more competitive and able to offer more to both stakeholders and customers. Those who don’t will fall further behind as market expectations change to meet new capabilities.
Staying informed on trends enables businesses to act early and investigate the advantages of implementing certain new technologies within their business. Perhaps one or more of the predictions in the article have already sparked ideas of how you can improve your current processes.
At PolarSeven, we regularly share expert insider information with business leaders to help them better prepare for changing technology, industry challenges, and customer expectations. We also help them implement new services and/or technologies to maximise their benefits and use for their businesses.
If you’d like more information on any of the information shared in the article or guidance on how you can implement it in your organisation, get in touch.
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