Enterprises use multiple public clouds and internal deployment facilities. This cloud computing model provides greater flexibility and allows enterprises to move their core sensitive data to private networks while using less sensitive data through the public cloud. Hybrid cloud brings cost efficiency, security, flexibility, and scalability. One of the most significant benefits of a hybrid cloud is its support for remote workers. It provides enterprises with the flexibility to easily manage and accommodate remote teams’ access to scattered data.

From hybrid clouds to cloud gaming, it’s important to understand some of the popular trends that will dominate the cloud computing market in 2021.

The widespread use of cloud computing has changed the way companies conduct business. This shift is inevitable as organizations across industries adopt and deploy innovative technologies to help their businesses succeed. As these solutions provide greater flexibility and better data management, many enterprises are now realizing the importance of cloud computing for software development. According to Cisco, cloud computing platforms are now handling nearly 94 percent of workloads.

Technologies such as ARTIFICIAL intelligence and the Internet of Things will continue to evolve, but how companies overcome challenges in cloud computing is the more important forecast. The future of cloud computing is bright. Industry experts believe cloud computing is the “next big thing” at the forefront of technology trends. Total cloud spending is set to grow at a cagR of 16% through 2026, proving that cloud architectures are here to stay and will continue to drive key enterprise goals.

It’s hard to find a company that doesn’t use cloud services these days. Cloud computing makes everything from application software development to Web servers easily accessible and an alternative to in-house deployment. In addition, cloud services will define how mobile applications can be developed and stored without the need to install complex infrastructure. In addition, improving online data security, business continuity, and cost efficiency are the focus of enterprises during the ongoing spread of the coronavirus. Global end-user spending on public cloud services is expected to grow 18.4 percent to $304.9 billion in 2021, up from $257.5 billion in 2020, according to data released by research firm Gartner.

Cloud computing trends to watch in 2021

(1) a hybrid cloud

A hybrid cloud is a combination of private and public clouds that allows data and applications to be shared between them. Hybrid clouds are part of a multi-cloud environment in which an enterprise uses multiple public clouds as well as internal deployment facilities. This cloud computing model provides greater flexibility and allows enterprises to move their core sensitive data to private networks while using less sensitive data through the public cloud.

More research reports show that the market size of hybrid cloud is $52.16 billion in 2020 and is expected to reach $145 billion by 2026. In addition, hybrid cloud brings cost efficiency, security, flexibility, and scalability. One of the most significant benefits of a hybrid cloud is its support for remote workers. It provides enterprises with the flexibility to easily manage and accommodate remote teams’ access to scattered data.

Therefore, this accessible cloud computing environment is critical to optimizing the efficiency and productivity of an enterprise. For example, Microsoft Azure offers a variety of hybrid cloud products and services that companies can leverage to gain competitive advantage, such as Azure Stack, Azure Defender, Azure Arc, and more. For enterprises looking for additional security and more control over their data, the hybrid cloud is the best option while remaining cost-effective.

(2) Edge calculation

Edge computing is hugely popular and continues to grow at a respectable rate each year. One reason for its widespread use is that it provides a distributed computing model, which means that it is deployed internally (closer to the data source) to store data and information, rather than a centralized server. The proximity of data brings tremendous benefits to the enterprise, such as maximum operational efficiency, rapid insight, improved performance and response time, and better bandwidth availability.

The Internet of Things is often associated with edge computing. In the Internet of Things, data does not need to be shuttled back and forth to a central server or cloud platform for processing. In fact, the data can be relocated to the “edge.” Nonetheless, edge computing is capable of managing the vast amount of data generated from iot devices. In addition, speed can be significantly increased when used in combination with 5G, which will enhance the ability to adapt to applications in real time.

(3) No server architecture

Associated with cloud computing, a serverless architecture enables businesses to develop and run applications without managing physical infrastructure, which means it can remove architectural engineering from the process. All extensions, maintenance, and upgrades are done by the cloud service provider. For example, AWS services offer a serverless architecture. Enterprise applications still run on the servers, but AWS manages all the servers. You can learn more about serverless computing on the AWS web site.

AWS serverless architecture is favored by 77% of IT companies compared to other serverless technologies. In addition, according to a survey by O’Reilly, 40% of organizations will adopt a serverless architecture by 2020 because it reduces costs, increases scalability, and increases developer productivity compared to traditional architectures.

Developers don’t have to worry about infrastructure; instead, they can spend more time developing more important application features. Its use will no doubt continue to grow in the years ahead.

(4) Integration of ARTIFICIAL intelligence and machine learning

The application of artificial intelligence is one of the most common cloud computing trends in 2021. The IT industry is seamlessly integrating AI into cloud computing to enhance business operations, functionality and efficiency. It now enables businesses to easily extend, adapt, effectively manage, and automate their processes. Ai can add an extra layer of security to cloud platforms that can identify and eliminate problems before they cause any damage.

Machine learning algorithms can help data centers learn from experience in order to work more efficiently in the near future. This early detection protects the system from any failures or external attacks. The ai market is expected to exceed $300 billion in global revenue by 2024. In addition, enterprises adopting AI technologies will be able to handle heavy workloads more efficiently and automate tasks.

(5) Cloud computing games

Revenue from cloud computing games is expected to exceed $1 billion, according to research. 2021 will be a year of rapid growth for the cloud computing gaming industry, as 5G technology offers low latency and high-speed connections, and is able to handle the huge amount of data that streaming gaming services bring.

Cloud games run directly on the server. Gamers don’t need a console to play online via streaming technology like Netflix. Back in 2019, Google announced Stadia, the first ever cloud computing game, and Microsoft announced xCloud. Amazon’s Luna is also in the early stages of development, but it’s responsive. Cloud gaming allows gamers to play games on almost any device, even those that cannot run the game due to their specifications limitations.

(6) Application development based on cloud computing

This is not a relatively new concept, but one can see growth in cloud-based application development in 2021 as well. Developing applications on a cloud platform is better because it offers the best data security and speed. Application developers can deploy and test cloud-based applications faster than traditional processes. Enterprises today are integrating cloud computing technology application development into their strategies to stay ahead of the competition.

That being said, businesses deal with different types of data every day, some sensitive and some less important, but data is always valuable. Therefore, choosing from deployment options to better automate data management should be an important part of an enterprise’s strategy. Data security has become critical for global companies in a digital age plagued by fraud and scams. So cloud computing is a useful technology.

(The article is from D1Net, thanks)