2020 has been a difficult and unpredictable year. One thing that has helped the business world survive is the cloud ecosystem that the global community has grown to rely on. In fact, it’s this reliance on the cloud that has allowed many businesses to thrive amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Given the nature of technology—that it is always evolving—it should come as no shock that aspects of technology will be bigger in the new year than they already are today.
In terms of the business world, experts suggest that 3 trends in cloud computing will evolve faster and play a larger role in 2021 than they did in 2020.
Serverless computing
Not having to rely on a server to hold data is beneficial to enterprises because servers take up a lot of space and resources. Not only do you have to have somewhere to house the servers (because holding large amounts of data typically requires multiple servers) but you also have to spend money on powering, cooling, servicing, etc. That all adds up.
By eliminating the use of servers, enterprises will allow businesses to focus on back-end computing as well as make way for the future of distributed computing, according to Satya Nadella, the CEO of Microsoft.
Hybrid cloud providers
In recent years, some enterprises have been facing difficulties choosing which cloud environment works best for their needs. All cloud environments (public, private and hybrid) offer their own advantages/disadvantages. Being able to utilize a hybrid cloud means that companies can get the best of both worlds and hybrid cloud usage is up.
Companies in 2020 have been turning to hybrid cloud environments at an increasing rate (up roughly 58 percent). This is because the hybrid cloud allows for better control, speed and security over traditional cloud environments.
It is expected that businesses will continue to break out of the public/private mold, which will allow for more advanced data sharing capabilities and allow for collaboration between partners who may be using different applications.
Virtual cloud desktops
For those who have never used one, a virtual cloud desktop is a desktop environment that users can access away from the device their operating system is on. Virtual cloud desktops will work on most devices with a screen (specifically laptop, tablet and smartphone). You just need basic hardware. Using virtual cloud desktops eliminates the costs of purchasing and/or updating outdated hardware because you’re only paying for the cloud space you’re using.
Examples of virtual cloud desktops that are available include Workspaces from Amazon and Microsoft’s Windows virtual desktop. Additionally, Google offers a version through their popular Chromebook devices.
These are likely not the only 3 cloud computing trends that will see growth over the next year, but they are likely to make the biggest splashes.