Multi-cloud, enterprise changes and a focus on automation

By team members from Amdocs

As COVID-19's impact changes the industry, there is a lot to be done to keep pace with consumer demand and technology's rapid evolution. Better managing the move to the cloud, implementing automation and re-evaluating enterprise connectivity will be critical in the year to come.

Amdocs executives Avishai Sharlin, Angela Logothetis and Ilan Sade share what 2021 will hold for business transformations.

Avishai Sharlin, Division President, Amdocs Technology

Better managing the multi-cloud post-COVID-19

The disruption brought about by COVID-19 has forced an acceleration of cloud adoption, with 91 percent of enterprise IT environments now reliant on cloud solutions. We can expect the cloud's popularity to continue to grow because of its proven track record with businesses, who have successfully used the technology to rapidly respond to issues with targeted solutions. As adoption continues to accelerate among enterprises, investments in hybrid, multi-cloud environments that securely empower a remote enterprise will be a critical priority. These technologies will offer the capacity needed to provide businesses with speed, control and security, as they prepare themselves to better work and operate with the cloud.

Kubernetes will enter the spotlight as well, serving as the abstraction layer to manage and control multi-cloud together through a "single pane of glass." Due to this, and despite the pandemic, the implementation of Kubernetes and container adoption will remain high priorities for businesses. In addition to Kubernetes, 95 percent of new microservices are predicted to be deployed in the containers by 2021. Cross-cloud Kubernetes will also become more common as a management tool for cross-cloud scenarios due to players like Google's Anthos and VMware's Tanzu Kubernetes Grid.

Angela Logothetis, CTO of Amdocs Open Network

The remote work dilemma: bring-your-own broadband vs. enterprise networks

In 2020, Amdocs found that 30 percent of consumers experienced remote work for the first time during the pandemic. Further, 24% reported that they are now more willing to purchase devices that improve Wi-Fi connectivity, and generally want more intelligent approaches to home networks, including those that prioritize traffic and better manage devices. As more businesses implement hybrid work environments, discussions around reliable, safe home connectivity will be top of mind for many throughout 2021.

Beyond hardware, we'll see a broader debate around employees bringing their broadband to the in-home experience versus the expectation for enterprises to provide broadband connectivity as a managed service. At the same time, we'll see a further shift from investing in office-to-office connectivity to those that incorporate the work from home reality. As a result, we'll see service providers being called into action in new domains, such as providing enterprise packages that include responsibility for bandwidth, security and latency management. At the same time, it will also drive them to make significant investments in enterprise networks, as COVID-19 continues to rapidly accelerate the testing and early adoption of 5G and Wi-Fi 6.

Ilan Sade, Division President, Amdocs Open Network

An increased focus on automation and closed-loop assurance

In today's dynamic and uncertain environment, service providers can't continue managing service and network operations as they have in the past. To keep pace with evolving expectations and network demands, automation strategies will be one of the most critical enablers throughout 2021. The 5G standalone architecture will drive a more distributed, multi-vendor, open and cloud-based network, where automation enabled by advanced 5G network management systems will be mandatory to meet required performance levels. Furthermore, proactive and closed-loop assurance, with automated actions guided by AI and machine learning, will gain steam. Expect these to be a serious focus area come next year.

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About the Author

Avishai Sharlin 

Avishai Sharlin heads Amdocs Technology, responsible for the company's core products and offerings and overall technology vision, strategy and execution. This includes BSS and digital offerings, technologies such as cloud and microservices, and the CTO office. He also leads new endeavors such as platform play and ensures implementation of cutting-edge technology foundations and standards across all company units.

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Angela Logothetis 

Angela Logothetis is CTO of Amdocs Open Network, and heads strategy, technology, incubation and ecosystem for the division. She is a trusted advisor to Amdocs customers as they embark on game-changing network and IT transformations, including the move to 5G, SDN and NFV, open cloud native networks and network intelligence and autonomous operations.

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Ilan Sade