Since its inception a decade ago, cloud computing – the delivery of computing services, servers, storage, software and more –has forever changed the landscape in which businesses operate. Cloud computing allows an organisation of any size to work in a faster, more agile and scalable environment.
So what does 2019 hold for cloud computing? While it’s not always easy to predict what will happen in this dynamic and fast-moving market, there are some trends that will continue to make cloud the most relevant IT topic in 2019.
1. Hybrid cloud application will continue to grow
For many organisations, making a full transition to cloud computing can be challenging. Hybrid cloud computing incorporates any combination of public, private and on-premise with the technology in place to allow the clouds to connect and interact effectively. Hybrid cloud is a flexible and scalable alternative, allowing an organisation to shift between two IT environments when capacity and costs change. In 2019, we expect to see more organisations choose a hybrid-cloud approach as organisations need to adapt and change direction quickly - the core principle of a digital business.
2. Serverless cloud computing is on the rise
We know what you’re thinking…serverless? How? Serverless is actually a misleading term as serverless computing still requires servers to run. However, the difference between traditional cloud computing and serverless is that resources are provided only when a specific event occurs. Serverless computing executes code that developers write using only the precise amount of computing resources needed to complete a specific task - no more, no less. When a pre-defined event occurs, the code written specifically to execute that function is triggered and the serverless platform performs the task.
It’s hard to predict if serverless computing is going to completely replace traditional cloud computing, however event-triggered computing cuts costs and enables more efficient application development. We see huge potential with serverless computing and will be keeping a close eye on it in 2019.
3. Growth in Cloud Services and Solutions (SaaS, PaaS, IaaS)
With cloud computing on the rise, it’s only natural that cloud services and solutions will continue to grow in 2019. 88% of SMEs say they are considering investing in new software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions in the next few years. Whilst the fastest growing segment of the market is cloud system infrastructure services (infrastructure-as-a-service or IaaS), which is forecasted to grow by 27.6% in 2019 worldwide, according to Gartner.
What’s driving this growth? Convenience and cost. As no large upfront capital investment are required, any organisation, regardless of size, has access to all of the computing capacity it needs, on demand.
4. Cloud security will continue to be a complex challenge for organisations
Security continues to be an issue in technology and cloud computing is no exception. It seems that reports of data breaches are an increasingly common occurrence. The complexity of cloud security is amplified with the introduction of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in 2018. Organisations have the difficult task of ensuring their cloud computing security technologies and policies adhere to regulatory compliance rules and protect information, data applications and infrastructure associated with cloud computing use.
5. 5G network is coming to the UK
With the first commercial launches of 5G quickly approaching, 5G has the capacity to revolutionise the networking industry by providing unimaginable levels of innovation, industry and health services, all whilst boosting your online video streaming and gaming capacity. Due to the tremendous amount of data generated daily and the rate in which this data needs to be stored, internet speed needs to be upgraded for a better user experience and to enable high volumes of machine-to-machine communications. The combination of 5G cellular and cloud computing technologies will provide substantial levels of capacity, flexibility and functionality.
It’s been confirmed in the UK that Birmingham and the West Midlands will get £150 million investment to develop and test 5G in the region!
Cloud Computing with Datek…
At Datek we understand the pressure on organisations to deliver IT solutions that meet the demands and expectations of customers, employees and the businesses alike. It’s imperative decision makers see cloud computing as an integral element of the IT strategy for their organisation, rather than as an additional cost to be managed. The trends above are critical areas in which we believe organisations should dedicate resources in order to stay relevant and competitive. Datek can provide your business with expert knowledge and cloud-based IT solutions, advising you on the correct approach and IT solution aligned with the needs of your organisation. Get in touch with Datek to learn how we can help you find the right cloud-based IT solution for your organisation today.
