In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, certain years stand out as pivotal moments where innovation surges forward, reshaping industries and redefining the way we approach business. In 2024, transformative advancements in cloud computing, coupled with a shifting global landscape, have made it increasingly evident that this is the year of next-level cloud strategy and design. With an average person using over 36 cloud-based services every single day, businesses have innumerable opportunities to harness the power of the cloud like never before. Let’s explore all of the reasons that make 2024 a great year for not just creating but also implementing your next-level cloud strategy!
All-time high adoption of the cloud
The cloud has long been heralded as a game-changer, offering scalability, flexibility, and cost-efficiency to organizations across the globe. As such, the number of companies that have switched to cloud-based infrastructure is at the highest it has ever been, with over 70% of all technology infrastructure predicted to be cloud-based in the next 1-2 years (Source: Cloud Computing News). However, the events of recent years have accelerated the need for a more strategic and holistic cloud strategy and design. The COVID-19 pandemic, in particular, highlighted the critical importance of digital resilience and agility. Businesses that had already embraced cloud technologies found themselves better equipped to adapt to remote work, maintain operations, and innovate in the face of adversity.
As an ever-larger number of people have adopted the cloud, its technologies have seen a drastic price reduction, and vendors have also gotten the time to tweak their solutions to offer lower downtimes and higher returns.
Advancements in Cloud Technology
Advancements in cloud technology have paved the way for unprecedented levels of innovation! The rise of edge computing, quantum computing, and AI-driven cloud services are transforming the capabilities of the cloud, enabling organizations to process and analyze vast amounts of data in real-time, driving insights, and fueling innovation. With the proliferation of IoT devices and the explosion of data generated by connected devices, more and more businesses are turning to the cloud to harness this data and extract value from it.
Moreover, Cloud-native technologies, such as containers and serverless computing, offer unparalleled agility and speed to market, allowing businesses to develop and deploy new applications and services rapidly. By embracing a cloud-first mentality, organizations can gain a competitive edge, drive innovation, and respond quickly to changing market dynamics.
Favourable changes in the regulatory structures
As cloud technologies have evolved, so has the regulatory environment designed to monitor them, shaping the way organizations approach cloud adoption and data management. Heightened concerns around data privacy, security, and compliance have prompted businesses to reassess their cloud strategy and designs and ensure they have robust governance frameworks in place. Here are some of the stand-out cloud compliance regulations across the world.
- General Data Protection Regulation, 2018 (GDPR) – European law
- Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDP Act) – India
- Federal Information Security Modernisation Act, 2014 – USA
As a result of these and other such landmark regulations, an ever larger number of organizations trust the cloud, with over 94% of businesses reporting significant improvements in their security after moving to the cloud. (Source: Salesforce)
In 2024, we can expect to see a greater emphasis on security and compliance in cloud design, with organizations investing in advanced encryption techniques, identity and access management solutions, and compliance automation tools to safeguard their data and ensure regulatory compliance.
Shift towards a cleaner future
The rising frequency of natural calamities, changes in global weather patterns, and increased awareness are driving a strong global shift towards sustainability. As businesses strive to reduce their environmental footprint and embrace sustainable practices, the cloud offers a compelling solution, with the IDC estimating that over 85% of organizations will create a 35% sustainability increase solely by using cloud-based infrastructure.
By leveraging cloud infrastructure, organizations can optimize resource utilization, minimize energy consumption, and reduce carbon emissions. Cloud providers are also making significant investments in renewable energy and are increasingly offering carbon-neutral cloud services, providing businesses with the opportunity to align their IT operations with their sustainability goals.
Servicing developing markets
Developing markets generally have a larger potential untapped customer base for all kinds of services. Such markets are extremely price-sensitive but also tend to have lower internet costs when compared to developed countries.
The reduced costs of the internet make it easy to create a cloud strategy and design centered around offering cloud services at cheaper rates for the customer, helping them avoid the traditionally high costs of deploying physical infrastructure or employing cloud services.
These cost benefits have been seen and utilized by all, especially smaller businesses, with many SMBs saying that they find it more cost-effective to choose third-party cloud platforms than to maintain in-house systems, as per a study by Multisoft.
Additionally, businesses in these markets may also prefer this option due to the lower costs and higher flexibility.
New Cloud Architectures
When cloud technologies first came onto the scene, businesses did not have many choices and options in terms of creating the perfect cloud solution for them. Amongst the many other limitations, the technologies of the time often made the solutions of various cloud providers completely incompatible, offered limited data transfer speeds, and imposed restrictions on sharing access with other stakeholders.
With the rise of hybrid and multi-cloud architectures, the cloud landscape has been completely reshaped, offering organizations greater flexibility and choice in how they shape their cloud environments. Currently, over 72% of all enterprises use a hybrid cloud model to get the best possible ROI (Source: Flexera).
By leveraging a combination of public cloud, private cloud, and on-premises infrastructure, businesses can optimize performance, enhance resilience, and mitigate vendor lock-in. In 2024, we can expect to see a surge in the adoption of hybrid and multi-cloud strategies, as organizations seek to leverage the strengths of multiple cloud platforms while minimizing complexity and maximizing flexibility.
In conclusion, 2024 is poised to be the year of next-level cloud strategy and design. With advancements in cloud technology, a shifting competitive landscape, evolving regulatory requirements, and a growing emphasis on sustainability, businesses are presented with unprecedented opportunities to harness the power of the cloud and drive innovation. By embracing a strategic and holistic approach to cloud adoption, organizations can unlock new levels of agility, resilience, and competitiveness, positioning themselves for success in the digital age. As we embark on this journey into the future, one thing is clear: the cloud will continue to be a driving force for innovation and transformation, shaping how we work, live, and interact with technology. Trust Digile to help you achieve your business goals with a successful cloud strategy and design roadmap!
Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for more updates.
