Many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) find it difficult to keep up to date with all the developments taking place in the IT world. The industry is so fast-paced that even IT specialists have to make time to learn all the changes, so they do not fall behind in their knowledge and expertise.
However, it is essential to be familiar with the fluctuations in the industry in order to have systems that are modern, efficient, effective and meets clients’ demands, from your cyber security strategies to software tools.
One area that is constantly progressing is cloud computing, as more and more companies rely on these services to store, protect, and share information to achieve business success.
Read on to find out how this part of the IT world is likely to develop over the course of the year, and in what ways this might affect how you use it as a tool.
-
Multi-cloud management
Something that will become extremely important is multi-cloud management. Information Week predicted that more cloud administrators would use multi-cloud management systems to provide mapping, discovery, security, monitoring, diagnostics and troubleshooting in one centralised area.
At the same time, 2020 could see public cloud providers containerise apps for flexible multi-cloud use. This allows companies to benefit from a variety of different tools in one centralised area, instead of having to spread out among several public clouds.
Solutions Review also stated multi-cloud deployments for solution providers will become increasingly popular.
“Vendors of products that run on public cloud environments need to be able to accommodate the rapidly-expanding cloud customer-base instead of sticking with one hyperscale platform,” it commented, adding this has previously been a challenge.
However, there is now “an increasing focus on services that enable hybrid cloud and multi-cloud deployments (such as Google Anthos) [which] indicates that the tide is beginning to change”.
When it comes to multi-cloud developments over the next few months, it is likely this will lead to the growth and improvement of specialised service providers. While AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform are expected to go from strength to strength in 2020, public clouds might not benefit in the same way. Instead, as companies favour more specialised providers, they may be put off from using the monolithic cloud platforms, even if they are bigger providers.
The main reason why enterprises will begin to use multi-cloud services more in 2020 is to “run various computing and storage workloads better, faster and more cost-effectively”.
Indeed, they can benefit from various tools with these platforms, including competing in performance, versatility, functionality, price and usability, while these ‘boutique’ public clouds also typically offer commodity IaaS.
-
Or move to an omni-cloud?
While multi-cloud platforms have already started to become popular, it remains to be seen whether there will be an overall movement to an omni-cloud instead.
“As applications become significantly increasingly portable, computer cycles simpler to procure in real-time, data integration platforms streamline connectivity, and vendors form cross-platform alliances, that multi-cloud trend might start looking more like an omni-cloud one in the near future,” Analytics Insight anticipated.
Instead of having workloads spread across several IaaS providers, they will be in one larger and more efficient omni-cloud. This is particularly relevant for larger companies to enable them to enjoy different benefits from a variety of providers without being locked into one.
-
Edge Computing
Edge computing allows information to be processed close to its source, which enables companies to benefit from real-time data analysis and processing.
It is also effective when used for Internet of Things (IoT) devices, as these need a lot of computing power to process data. As more and more businesses become aware of the advantages of using edge computing, it is likely to become “more of a noteworthy topic in 2020”, according to Solutions Review, particularly with large companies that require this extra computing power.
IT Proportal recognises there are lots of benefits of edge computing, including the fact it can easily run multiple VMs or containers, as it provides a direct 20G connection to the switch fabric through the server.
“An additional advantage of this type of edge computer server is that they can executive network remediation applications, like packet capture, and enhance network operating system capabilities,” the news provider stated, adding: “By sharing pre-existing subsystems, these sorts of edge solutions can take advantage of the power, cooling and internal connectivity features inside the switch.”
-
Quantum Computing
Quantum computing has been praised as being the thing that will revolutionise computers, but what is it? According to IBM, while current computers use individual bits to store information, quantum computers “leverage quantum mechanical phenomena to manipulate information” by relying on quantum bits, otherwise known as qubits.
It is believed this will encourage breakthroughs in science, helping to develop medications; improve machine learning methods for quicker illness diagnosis; make more efficient devices and structures; create algorithms; and improve financial strategies.
According to Analytics Insight, this technology will “empower computers and servers to process data at a quick pace contrasted with current benchmarks”.
As more machinery will be developed with quantum computing in mind, this will provide the capacity and technical effectiveness they need for the future. To enable access to quantum computers, cloud-based software is required – therefore, as more businesses and individuals begin to adopt quantum computers, reliance on cloud services is likely to increase dramatically.
-
The future of cloud computing
With this in mind, cloud computing is only expected to continue growing and developing over the next year, constantly improving and adapting to meet the needs of users.
Analytics Insight went on to say that cloud computing will be crucial in allowing computers’ performance and capacity to expand, particularly as the foundation of this technology is based on fast network systems set to be multiplied.
As a result, the news provider stated: “The destiny of cloud computing in 2020 is going to shock us.”
For IT strategy in London for your business, get in touch with us today.
