Emerging Cloud Computing Trends

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Whether or not every consumer is aware of it, cloud computing has changed the ways in which people interface with their devices, businesses and each other.  Businesses utilizing cloud-computing solutions are finding themselves moving away from cumbersome on-site data storage, hardware and backups, and into a realm of unprecedented ease of use and expansion.

Everyone is headed into the cloud, but here are some of the top emerging cloud computing trends.

What is “The Cloud”?

“The cloud” refers to remote, internet-based storage, service, processing power, development tools, etc.  

In the past, onsite hard drive space, the speed of a processor and all of those sorts of things were vital to business operations.  Technology expanded quickly, and businesses had to keep up. When computers got a year or two old, they were much slower than the newer models--and companies would constantly have to upgrade.  If a website suddenly got more than the usual number of clicks, it would probably crash.  

The problems weren’t just for individual desktop computers, either--the ability to generate transactions with other businesses, update software, and otherwise maintain the infrastructure of even a mid-sized business was both expensive and difficult compared to today’s cloud-based solutions.

With the cloud, everyone from individual users to the largest businesses are able to pay for just the space and service needed.

Cell Phone Usage Growth

It is estimated that more than $1 trillion of US retail sales will occur on mobile devices in 2018.  Smart businesses have already made their websites mobile-compatible.  Many organizations have invested in apps, which account for about ½ of estimated retail sales completed on mobile devices.  

Consumers themselves have gone to the cloud, with many electing for cloud storage instead of local hardware storage of the photos, videos, and other content of their mobile devices.

Expect cloud-based cell phone usage to continue to expand.

Artificial Intelligence Expansion

Machine learning and AI have also dramatically expanded in recent years, and can be expected to continue to do so.  Between “personal assistants” like Siri and Cortana, and free-standing smart devices like Amazon Echo and Lenovo Smart Assistant, users have come to expect a more hands-free, smarter shopping experience.  

While true artificial intelligence--a computing solution which can generate new data and reach meanings without relying on pre-programmed complex algorithms--has not yet found its way into consumer hands, the improved interaction of machine learning is transforming many aspects of everyday life.

On-demand Everything

Gone are the days of 6-disc cd-changers in trunks of cars (or cd players at all).  Massive DVD collections have been replaced with streaming on any device.  All of this and more is possible because of cloud-based business solutions, meeting user demand for instant access to only what they want, when they want it.

A major emerging cloud computing trend is following this pattern.  Businesses now can utilize the cloud to:

  • Host websites
  • Store data
  • Backup data
  • Process data
  • Utilize software
  • Connect with one another across locations
  • Develop or otherwise expand on software
  • Access specialized services, such as an HR specialist, marketing or inventory specialist
  • So much more

Businesses are leading the consumer trend, which also assists in better serving customers, and turning to solutions which are on-demand for all functions, accessible on any device, and exactly what is needed, when it is needed.

NetSuite, the Cloud Pioneers

NetSuite pioneered the cloud-computing revolution back in 1998--before anyone had even heard of a smartphone! That pioneering spirit continues, with complete SaaS (Software as a Service) suites for ERP, HCM and CX, plus Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), all from one platform.  Thanks to these fully-integrated features, Oracle NetSuite business solutions provide a complete resource for all computing solutions, on-demand.

As a NetSuite solution provider, at SCS Cloud, we partner in your success.  Contact us to find out more.
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