Cloud computing
Figure 1: Introduction to cloud computing
Cloud computing is Internet-based computing that provides services such as servers, storage, networking, analytics, databases, and software. It delivers shared computer processing resources and data to devices on demand. Cloud computing solutions allow individuals and businesses to store and process their data in third-party data centers rather than involving local servers.
Almost all Internet users use cloud computing services and apparently this is among the emerging technological trends. Even if you don't realize it, even using emails to store important information is an example of cloud storage. The first cloud computing services were introduced a decade and a half ago, but have now evidently become quite popular among all types of companies, including startups, government organizations, NGOs and multinationals. It is used for the following purposes:
• Creating new applications
• Store, backup and recover data
• Web Hosting
• On-demand software delivery
• Audio and video streaming
Cloud Computing Service Models
According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology, there are three standard cloud computing service models, namely: IaaS, PaaS and SaaS. They are also called cloud computing stack as they are built on top of each other. It is important for companies to understand each of these models to achieve business objectives. Let's take a quick look at these models.
IaaS (infrastructure as a service)
This is the most basic category where users rent IT infrastructure services (servers, virtual machines, storage, networks and operating systems) from a cloud provider and pay as they go. Here the consumer can control the operating system, storage and deployed applications.
PaaS (platform as a service)
Refers to services that provide an on-demand environment for developing, testing, delivering and managing software applications. It makes it convenient for developers to create web or mobile applications without having to manage the underlying infrastructure required for development.
SaaS (software as a service)
This model aims to deliver on-demand software applications over the Internet, usually on a subscription basis. With this service, cloud providers manage software applications and take care of software updates as well as security patches. Users can connect to the application through a web browser through their devices such as a tablet, smartphone or PC.
Cloud Computing Trends to Expect in 2017
Over the past five years, there has been a notable increase in cloud adoption due to a variety of benefits that this technology brings with it. With the increase in the number of companies, there is an abundant amount of data that needs to be stored and the virtual world of storage in the form of clouds has become the final destination for all these databases. This not only reduces the cost of hardware, but also allows organizations to focus on the efficiency of their business as they do not have to worry about managing loads of data through servers.
We are currently witnessing a phase in which almost all entities and business units are aware of the concept of cloud computing. There is no more worry whether someone should use the cloud resource or not. On the contrary, it's time to make decisions about the right time to adapt to technology and choose the type of solution best suited to your business needs.
As we almost enter 2017, here are some trends that will affect the use of cloud computing in the coming years. Let's take a quick look at these future cloud computing trends.
Hybrid cloud approach
After experimenting with the adoption of public and private clouds, many companies are moving to hybrid clouds. This allows them to store sensitive data in private clouds while still being able to run applications in public clouds depending on that database. Thus, organizations have the option of leveraging public cloud facilities and that too without transferring all the data to third parties.
Furthermore, the implementation of the SaaS platform leads to data fragmentation which in turn affects the agility of the operation. Therefore, instead of avoiding SaaS adoption, entities are adopting the hybrid cloud approach to regain the single view of data assets.
IT orientation and training programs
Due to intense competition in the market, employees need to be aware of all emerging technological trends. As a result, cloud adoption has become an integral factor in determining the success of every organization. Due to the growing popularity of clouds, the IT department is compelled to focus on cloud-based training and mentoring programs regarding technical skills as well as new workflows.
These programs aim to teach cloud security, hosted databases, and infrastructure as a service. Furthermore, managers are required to look for and recruit candidates with experience in DevOps practice and who have already worked on cloud platforms such as Azure or AWS.
Shifting the burden of data complexity
With the adoption of cloud computing, companies are able to transfer the complexity of application data to the platform, significantly reducing wait time for developers. Building strategies for managing complexity leads to the creation of an environment that enhances development and supports product innovation.
Furthermore, it creates time and gives rise to opportunities through which the company can carry out experiments, which would otherwise be neglected. In the coming years, the focus will shift from developers' productivity to exploring their creativity.
Managing multiple cloud providers
It is now the trend where companies are looking for multiple cloud providers instead of relying on just one vendor as they are all configured differently and cater to different needs. This has led to the emergence of companies offering cloud management services, i.e. cloud monitoring as a service (CMaaS), so that users can manage their providers simultaneously.
These services integrate, manage and monitor all cloud installations contracted by organizations. In addition, they also provide facilities such as incident and problem management, device and infrastructure asset management, as well as escalation to third parties, if necessary.
Cloud architecture
Figure 3: Cloud Computing Architecture
Building a cloud architecture or devising an optimal method for migrating between existing cloud services requires a completely different skill set compared to core IT infrastructure design. Due to the presence of public cloud platforms, companies do not have the freedom to uniquely configure each element as per their preference; instead, they need to select basic building blocks that cannot be changed. It is expected that from now on, organizations will put effort into developing these architectural skills so that they can easily migrate from one service to another.
Migration between cloud providers
At the moment, few organizations are transferring their workload between different vendors, but in the coming years this will be common practice. This is because with each passing day, not only more and more companies are looking for cloud services, but the number of cloud providers is also increasing, giving users a wide variety of options to choose from.
This would also lead suppliers to offer competitive prices. Due to this situation, the organization would be forced to design more flexible cloud services that support different platforms faster and with minimal switching risk.
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