FUTURE TRENDS IN CLOUD COMPUTING FOR SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED BUSINESSES

Written on the 3 October 2023

As we navigate the digital era, small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are continuously leveraging modern technologies to foster growth, efficiency, and competitiveness. One such technology that has become an essential tool for these businesses is cloud computing. Through cloud computing, SMBs are offered a cost-effective way to access and use advanced IT resources that were previously only affordable to larger corporations.

Current State of Cloud Computing in SMBs

By 2025, ADAPT forecasts that 55% of workloads for Australian organisations will be hosted on public clouds¹. Through cloud computing, businesses have experienced numerous benefits, such as increased efficiency, improved scalability, and significant cost savings.

Upcoming Trends in Cloud Computing

The cloud computing landscape continues to evolve, bringing along with-it new trends that SMBs need to be aware of. One such trend is the increased use of hybrid clouds, which combine the use of private and public clouds to create a flexible and balanced infrastructure.

Another trend is the rise of cloud services and solutions that provide businesses with a comprehensive suite of tools and applications to enhance their operations.

Additionally, automation in cloud computing is becoming more prevalent, enabling businesses to automate mundane tasks and thereby increase productivity.

Lastly, as cyber threats continue to rise, enhanced security measures within cloud platforms are becoming more integral.

Implications of These Trends for SMBs

These trends present both opportunities and challenges for SMBs. The opportunities include increased flexibility, improved efficiency, and enhanced security. However, these trends also pose challenges, such as managing a hybrid cloud environment and addressing the complexity of using various cloud services and solutions. To tackle these challenges, SMBs will need to invest in employee training and embrace a culture of continuous learning and adaptation.

There are numerous examples of SMBs that have successfully implemented cloud computing. For example, a small retail business might use cloud-based inventory management software to track its stock levels and sales in real-time.

An expanding business moving into new markets globally uses the cloud to access their data and communicate with their team from anywhere in the world.

A rapidly growing business with concerns over data security and backups, with the right configuration in place, the cloud provides them the ability to manage their data with safe and secure solutions.

The importance of choosing the right cloud service provider is paramount, and the need for businesses to be proactive in managing their cloud environment essential.

In summary, the future of cloud computing holds promising prospects for SMBs. As the trends of hybrid clouds, cloud services and solutions, automation, and enhanced security measures continue to evolve, businesses that adapt and leverage these trends will be at the forefront of their industries. The future is undeniably cloudy, but for SMEs, this cloudiness brings with it a silver lining of opportunity and growth. Contact Cloudatmo today to discuss your business cloud needs!

1.      https://adapt.com.au/resources/articles/cloud-infrastructure/55-of-australian-organisations-workloads-in-public-cloud-by-2025