FEATURE : CLOUD
Julian Critchlow , ANZ General Manager , Extreme Networks , predicts the future of cloud computing in the decade ahead . people to work the same way when in the office as they do when working at home .
Defining cloud computing
While it ’ s clear that the cloud is here to stay , there is still some conjecture about exactly what form it will take . Some in the industry believe it will become the primary platform for the delivery of all IT resources and services , while others think a mix of on-premise and cloud will remain the standard approach .
When considering the future of cloud , it ’ s important to be clear on exactly what cloud computing is . While it certainly relies on racks of servers in multiple large data centers , it also represents a business model .
Since first appearing on the radar screens of CIOs and IT managers in the early 2000s , cloud computing has undergone a rapid evolution . Initially sold as a convenient and scalable place to store data , cloud computing has evolved into an effective and efficient way to deliver services . These include everything from communication and collaboration platforms to applications and compute resources delivered ‘ as-a-service ’.
The global pandemic has also helped to propel the evolution of cloud into a critical business resource . With workforces suddenly required to operate from home , organizations quickly found that cloud-based resources provided an effective way to keep them connected and productive .
Now , as restrictions ease and hybrid working patterns become more widespread , the role of the cloud is shifting once again . It ’ s now foundational to enabling
It frees organizations from the task of purchasing and managing the hardware and software needed to support business processes . Rather than relying on on-premise resources , they are instead sourced from a cloud provider via an ‘ on-demand ’ model .
The amount of compute and storage resources can therefore be dialled up and down as the organization ’ s requirements change . This means money is not wasted on resources that are not required .
This is also important at a time when global supply chains are under enormous pressure . Delays in securing components can result in slow delivery of everything from servers to network switches which can , in turn , hinder business growth .
Rather than being reliant on purchased equipment and services , organizations can simply source the resources they need from a cloud provider . This removes the likelihood that day-to-day operations could be negatively impacted by a supply-chain bottleneck .
The future of cloud computing
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