In the Ether: Cloud Computing Trends for 2022

Cloud computing has exploded in response to the pandemic, providing continuity, efficiency and scalability for remote and hybrid workforces. It has single-handedly bolstered the economy and helped businesses of every size overcome their challenges. But what cloud computing trends can we expect to see over the year ahead? Let’s take a look.

Enterprise-wide cloud migration

Cloud computing demand rose rapidly during 2020-21 due to the dramatic increase in working from home. But despite its prevalence, cloud computing is still a new technology with innovations occurring all the time. 

So far, most of those innovations have been focused on how cloud computing can be used for specific uses or needs. Over the next year, we expect to see that shift towards innovations centred on enterprise-wide cloud migration, with the introduction of whole integrated systems and processes that link all kinds of devices and actions living in the cloud. 

Better connectivity creating new use cases

The growth of ultrafast internet networks – with 95% of the UK network now covered by fibre-optic lines – has given businesses and home users the ability to enjoy a seamless experience. And with full Fibre to the Premises (FTTP), you can stream more data over upgraded networks such as 5G and Wi-Fi 6E. 

But it’s not just more data that superfast download speeds and latency times let you receive. It’s also different types of data, with applications such as virtual reality, augmented reality, gaming and live feeds from smart devices all set to become achievable and commonplace in 2022.   

Cloud computing to meet carbon targets

Another trend we expect to see in 2022 is businesses actively using cloud computing to make their operations more eco-friendly. Using the cloud means there’s less reliance on energy-intensive in-house servers, while better download speeds and latency times help to reduce energy consumption.

There are also secondary benefits that businesses can experience from a greater reliance on the cloud. More working from home, which is made easier by cloud computing, reduces office energy use as well as the environmental impact of travelling to and from the office. And with server banks now making greater use of renewable energy sources, the move to cloud computing can give your business eco-credentials to shout about.

The blurring of the lines between public and private clouds

Businesses migrating to the cloud have traditionally had two options. They can use very accessible pay-as-you-go public cloud computing solutions or opt for more flexible and customised private cloud solutions. In 2022, we expect to see an increase in ‘hybrid’ cloud computing models that blur the distinction between these two models to streamline the user experience.

Usually facilitated by a specific dashboard, the hybrid cloud will allow information to flow freely, whether it’s data that can be readily accessed by customers in the public cloud or more sensitive, mission-critical data that can be kept on private servers where access can be monitored. A hybrid cloud approach can also reduce the complexity of the ‘multi-cloud’ environments that many businesses find themselves in and keep the backend stack invisible when it doesn’t need to be seen.   

A tightening of regulatory controls

As with any technology, the regulations and controls that underpin its use can take a little while to catch up. There are undoubted security and data privacy implications associated with cloud computing that will inevitably lead to regulation. 

To meet those regulatory controls, cloud hosting companies in the UK and around the world will invest in skilled data compliance and data governance experts over the next year to help them stay on the right side of the law.

The growth of AI in cloud computing  

The evolution of the cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) is inherently interlinked. Most of the AI we see around us on a day-to-day basis, such as Instagram filters and Google Search, lives in the cloud. Cloud datacentres can now provide the increased bandwidth and ultrafast speeds that artificial intelligence and machine learning needs to grow. 

This evolution of the cloud and AI will continue in 2022 with the introduction of creative and reactive machine learning algorithms that can be used to generate content, art, translations, simulations and more.

The rise of serverless services

The serverless cloud is still a very new technology but it’s quickly gaining traction and is already offered by providers such as Microsoft, Amazon and IBM. The serverless cloud is a true pay-as-you-go model, where businesses are not tied to paying fixed amounts for storage or bandwidth. Instead, businesses only pay for what they need without having to use their own servers.    

Strictly speaking, it’s not a serverless service at all because the servers will still exist. However, the user won’t have to get involved with the configurations, leases and other technicalities, helping to make new technology more accessible.  

Exciting times ahead for cloud computing

We’re already at a point where many of us take cloud computing for granted. The adoption of this still new technology has been accelerated by the pandemic, but as we’ve seen, cloud computing still has a huge capacity to grow. With innovations happening all the time, we’ll soon reach a point where data will flow freely between our devices, cars, household appliances, work platforms, games consoles and TVs to change the way that human society and businesses operate. 

Want to learn more about cloud computing and how it can fit with your business plan? Give us a call on 01473 599020 or email hello@comms-unite.co.uk to discover your options and see how much you can save compared to your current arrangements.