The cloud computing industry has grown at an incredible rate over the past few years, and it shows no signs of slowing down. With cloud computing services like AWS and Microsoft Azure becoming widely adopted by big businesses, you might be wondering how the cloud computing industry will evolve in the future. What kind of new technologies will come into play? How will different companies within the industry change their approach? The answers to these questions are all worth exploring, so let’s take a look at what to expect from the cloud computing industry in 2018 and beyond!
Cloud computing is a model for enabling ubiquitous, convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources (e.g., networks, servers, storage, applications and services) that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort or service provider interaction. This cloud model promotes availability and is composed of five essential characteristics, three service models and four deployment models.
How Big Will Cloud Computing Get?
Worldwide, businesses spent about $60 billion on cloud computing services in 2013. By 2018, that number is expected to top $141 billion as much as a fourfold increase over five years. The cloud computing industry is still new enough that it’s not possible to make exact predictions, but a report by McKinsey & Company suggests how big it could get.
In their report, they break down cloud computing into three segments:
infrastructure-as-service (IaaS), platform-as-service (PaaS) and software-as-service (SaaS). IaaS provides virtualized servers and storage; PaaS offers software platforms; and SaaS provides applications.
The cloud is more than just a buzzword. Cloud computing offers a number of significant benefits for your business. Cloud systems provide cost savings, flexibility, scalability and built in redundancy. While many smaller businesses are wary of cloud storage due to security concerns, it’s clear that cloud services can be used effectively by companies of all sizes. In fact, cloud storage has become so popular that experts predict it will soon become the norm. With over 80% of companies using cloud computing or planning to do so within two years, it’s safe to say that we can expect an increase in cloud use over time.
The cloud computing industry is in a period of exciting growth. The pace of technological development and consumer adoption, however, can make it difficult for new and established businesses alike to keep up with legal developments across multiple areas. The following list details four aspects of cloud computing that you should be aware of as a business owner in order to help minimize potential legal pitfalls. It’s important to note that while these issues are common among cloud providers, each provider may handle them differently. Thus, we recommend consulting your provider directly before making any significant decisions about how to use their services.
Security Concerns in the Cloud
Cloud computing allows users to access applications and information remotely. It is also a great way for businesses to cut costs, but it has some security concerns that need addressing first. See how cloud computing will impact your small business and learn how you can properly address security concerns in order to ensure your customers’ information stays safe in the cloud.
Web Hosting with Cloud Technology
Cloud computing technology allows for rapid startup and easy scaling of websites. Cloud hosting is a quick and easy way to begin web hosting. Setting up cloud hosting is similar in many ways to setting up dedicated server hosting, but it offers more customization options and has a lower barrier of entry. Cloud hosting is ideal for businesses that need quick scalability or have high traffic requirements. Cloud servers are less expensive than traditional dedicated servers and can be used with any type of content management system (CMS). Cloud hosting comes with great flexibility because you don’t have to commit to a long-term contract, making it an excellent choice for small businesses just starting out. In addition, cloud servers are highly scalable and you can quickly add or remove resources as your business grows or shrinks.
