Five Predictions for the Hybrid Cloud Market in 2018

Sometimes technology moves faster than even its most optimistic forecasters can predict it will. Many projected that cloud computing space would see a boost in development and usage. Few predicted how quickly and acutely cloud computing would impact businesses, however. Research indicates an even-more-rapid adoption of this transformative technology in the coming years, as 20 percent of large companies now use hybrid cloud technology for cloud solutions.

Real Options for Hybrid Solutions

Enterprises have used both public and private cloud services in the past, offering contrasting incentives that impact businesses in different ways. Companies that have turned to private cloud services largely did so to minimize risk, especially in environments subject to close government regulation. Cost factors, however, take away one of the key advantages for users who manage cloud services in-house.

In 2018, however, real options will emerge for users to migrate to a hybrid system that allows organizations to maintain the benefits of public and private cloud services.

Hybrid cloud vendors looking to capture the market in 2018 include:

• Microsoft. With Azure and the recently released Azure Stack, Microsoft is positioned to be a prime option for hybrid solutions. Businesses already have a strong feeling of familiarity with Microsoft and an existing integration that instantly places them in prime position to take advantage of industry demands.
• Amazon Web Services (AWS). With the partnership between AWS and VMware, Amazon has taken a major step forward in becoming the first choice for hybrid cloud offerings. Amazon’s commitment to web services makes it a major force in cloud computing.
• Google. The Google Cloud Platform collaborated with Cisco to create an open hybrid cloud, bringing together two of the biggest names in enterprise networking in the industry. Google’s experience and its ability to pour money into its services make it a major contender as well.
• IBM. IBM partnered with Oracle to offer its own hybrid cloud option. IBM is still the Big Blue, and its brand reputation and longstanding implementation with business solutions has kept it ahead of the competition. That’s not likely to change in 2018, but the gap is narrowing.

With dedicated hybrid cloud service options coming from these major partnerships, those looking to transition to a hybrid cloud environment will have an array of options in 2018.

Container Picture Clearing Up

Moving between different computing environments means using multiple tools and platforms. Containers simplify that process and make it possible to operate seamlessly between public and private cloud services. Where there have been a few good options to choose from for container services, in 2018 Kubernetes seems poised to be the go-to solution. For those hesitant to make the transition to hybrid, finding a clear winner in the platform-as-a-service war may clear the final hurdle.

Ransomware Attacks Will Continue to Escalate

While cloud service providers are often the targets of ransomware attacks, the major providers, Microsoft, Amazon, IBM, and Google, have the resources and the motivation to ensure their systems are secure in ways regular businesses cannot. Whereas once cloud services were regarded as insecure, cloud computing is now in many ways the more secure option. Combine this with the wave of ransomware attacks that will increase in the coming year, and you have an incentive for many security-conscious companies to move to a hybrid cloud service.

Machine Learning Comes to Small and Medium-Sized Companies

Artificial intelligence services are proliferating across businesses of all sizes, but a moon-race atmosphere exists among the largest cloud service providers to provide greater machine learning services as part of the cloud. This transformative service will not only help minimize security threats and increase uptime for all users, but also will provide powerful analytics that have typically been out of reach of all but the largest businesses.

Combine machine learning with a hybrid of private and public cloud solutions and you have one of the most secure and powerful computing platforms in history at prices even small businesses can access.

On-Premises Cloud Services

Amazon took the early lead in offering Lambda, a unique server-less computing platform, in 2015. Microsoft, Red Hat, and other companies have been racing to catch up ever since. In 2018, there may finally be real alternatives to Amazon’s functions as a service (FaaS) to bring server-less computing on premises for businesses. The advantages of keeping the functionality on premises in these platforms is huge, and competition would only serve to bring costs down, giving more companies access to the technology.

Surprises in Store

Data crosses the physical borders of nations, and geopolitical factors are increasingly playing a role in shaping information policy. Many companies will find it difficult to meet the requirements of the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation that goes into effect in May 2018. Tensions with Russia and accusations of compromising attacks from Russia and China may well bring greater government regulation of data than has been seen in previous years. Any global unrest has the potential to create surprises in information services. Silicon Valley powerhouses and cloud systems in Tacoma, Washington, alike will have to deal with curveballs and unexpected hurdles as hybrid cloud computing continues to evolve within the digital space.

The new year is expected to be another huge step forward for hybrid cloud services and cloud services overall. Hopefully the changes and opportunities in the coming year will bring greater benefits and security for a growing list of businesses. If you in need of professional cloud services contact us now!