Cloud computing has changed the business landscape.

In today's digital world, operating your business no longer requires expensive server rooms, costly equipment, expensive software licenses, and round-the-clock IT support. 

All that's required is a computer, an internet connection, and a subscription to one of the many cloud-based services that now exist. Cloud computing makes operating a business easier, more accessible, and more affordable. Whatever your needs, there's probably a cloud-based solution.

 

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Cloud computing usage is accelerating and has overtaken data centers. Whether you're a small or large business, now's the time to get involved.

So, follow this guide as we look at eight emerging cloud computing innovations that will accelerate growth in 2022.

What Exactly is Cloud Computing?

 

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In a nutshell, cloud computing is a digital service that lets you use important software or store and access data from anywhere. All that's needed is a capable device and an internet connection. Simply open your app or browser, sign in, and you're cloud computing!

Businesses access cloud services instantly and remotely. This has revolutionized day-to-day operations. Be it from a laptop or phone, or whether you're home or abroad, cloud computing lets you perform tasks on the go.

Cloud computing encompasses some different aspects, including:

• Cloud Storage: files can be stored and accessed on the cloud.
• Cloud Backup: files can be backed up to protect against data loss.
• Software as a Service (SaaS): online versions of software via subscription hosted in the cloud.
• Cloud Hosting: enables information sharing such as emails, application hosting, data storage, and web-based communication systems.
  

Cloud computing benefits all businesses. It saves expensive startup costs related to IT. For large businesses, the cloud opens up new possibilities for better ways to operate remotely and achieve growth.

8 Emerging Cloud Computing Innovations That Will Accelerate Growth For 2022

The cloud is becoming the center of the digital world. A place where transactions, communications, and operations can take place under one virtually connected hub. Gartner predicts global cloud revenue to total $474 billion in 2022, up from $408 billion in 2021.

As technology and the internet advance, so too does the cloud. Skillful developers are always coming up with new cloud-based ideas to provide solutions for businesses.

Here are eight emerging cloud computing innovations that will accelerate growth for 2022.

1.    Deploying a ‘purpose-fit' cloud strategy

Too many businesses rush their cloud migration by moving all of their data, infrastructure, and software at once. Unfortunately, this won't always go smoothly.

Developing a more purpose-fit strategy will ensure you get the most out of the cloud. In other words, you don't need to send large files or move your whole business to the cloud at once, if at all. Decide which applications and data can remain on-premises.

For example, you may use a cloud-based service to create a S3 data pipeline and collect information on your sales funnel. This is a good use of the cloud and will save you time and resources. On the other hand, you may choose to keep your sensitive data and important files on-premises.

Remember, keep up with the latest cloud developments to make sure your plans remain purpose-fit. There are always new solutions arriving, many of which will make sense.

2.    Utilize AI and machine learning to automate tasks

 

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AI and machine learning are here to maximize the value of cloud applications. Utilizing AI and machine learning will help businesses become more efficient by streamlining processes such as:

• Collecting and analyzing data.
• Performing business tasks.
• Providing automated customer support.
• Mitigating issues in real-time.
  

By allowing AI to come in and help, you'll save on time, resources, and the stress of constantly using your direct inward dial system to reach your IT team when things go wrong. 2022 is the year of AI when it comes to cloud innovations.

Again, there will be pros and cons with deciding what processes and tasks you can automate in the cloud. So, take time and work out what could work for you. For example, you could automate the collection of performance metrics to see who between Rev Ops and Sales Ops are performing better. But only do this for departments who may be underperforming. It's about focusing on key areas. 

3.    Multi-cloud and hybrid environments

Businesses moving to the cloud usually have two options: store their data on public cloud solutions with data being stored on third-party servers, or store data on a private cloud solution where data is kept on-premises. It all comes down to efficiency and cost.

But sitting somewhere between these two options is the hybrid cloud. The hybrid cloud offers the best of both cloud solutions. In a hybrid setup, you could keep sensitive data and private information on-premises, while keeping shared files and day-to-day admin duties within the cloud. This means organizations can now exist in a ‘multi-cloud' environment.

A multi-cloud environment combines private, public, and hybrid clouds. Essentially, this means you're supplementing your on-premises operations with apps and services from public and hybrid clouds. This is great for getting the best of both platforms. A multi-cloud strategy will help you optimize your processes, reduce downtime, control resources and budgets, and reach business targets via leveraging combinations.

4.    Benefit from cloud security

 

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New ways of working in the cloud create new vulnerabilities for cyberattackers to exploit. In fact, as innovation in technology increases, 68% of business leaders say their cybersecurity risks are also increasing. 80% of businesses are introducing digital innovation quicker than they can develop security against evolving cyber threats.

Unfortunately, for all the cloud's benefits, spreading tasks between different providers can make security an issue. Mitigate this by paying close attention to any blind spots and don't rush into a vulnerable position where you become open to cyberattacks.

A response to such concerns has been the development of cloud security access brokers (CASBs). CASBs provide software that operates between cloud users and platforms to ensure centralized security measures, thus forming a consistent system of security. Expect to see cloud providers continue this in 2022 through security acquisitions aimed at protecting both their clients and their own reputation.

5.    Get closer to the Edge

One weak aspect of cloud computing is that it's handled by a small number of providers who dominate the field. These huge, centralized data-processing centers tie your storage and computing ability to the proximity, bandwidth, and resources they provide.

With more and more connections to the cloud, especially in the age of ‘bring your own device', issues with latency, bandwidth, and security are likely. Edge computing is the solution.

Edge computing is an up-and-coming cloud trend that involves building localized data centers for storage and computation close to the location they are needed. Instead of relying on centralized cloud networks, everything is now managed locally. This reduces the load on the cloud and improves things when it comes to running applications with reduced latency and greater bandwidth.

For organizations that have privacy and compliance problems, a locally managed data center enables a higher level of information security.

As more devices become connected and the IoT develops, edge computing will become more important.

6.    The cloud benefits environmental sustainability

 

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Businesses in the 21st century are fast becoming conscious of their carbon footprint. Thankfully, opting for the cloud can reduce that footprint as compared to on-premises infrastructure.

When organizations use the cloud, it means fewer servers, less power, and reduced carbon emissions. By using the cloud across your business operations, you're helping the planet by reducing your carbon footprint. The aim is to streamline your processes and reduce carbon emissions by using the IoT, AI, automation, and analytics to reduce the wasted energy of operating a physical data center.

So, with benefits for both your business and the planet, it's clear every cloud has a silver lining.

7.    Industry-specific cloud solutions

Each different industry will have its own requirements when it comes to cloud computing. That's why different cloud providers exist for specific niches to provide tailored services.

For example, a healthcare or finance organization will have strict regulations and privacy restrictions that limit its ability to use cloud services without the right security and protocols. Industry-specific cloud providers are responding to this problem by optimizing their cloud capabilities to align with the regulatory standards required by high-value industries.

Using a tailor-made cloud service will leave you feeling more at ease when it comes to operating smoothly and securely.

8.    Leave customers on cloud nine

 

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It's not just businesses that benefit from cloud computing. The combination of advancements in technology and cloud innovation will see the customer experience improve dramatically.

Businesses with a brand reputation to uphold can utilize the cloud to deploy a customer experience management strategy. This will go towards ensuring good service and improving satisfaction rates for both business and customer alike.

The cloud is an important aspect of your customer service methods and helps build top customer experiences through the collection and cross-analysis of operational data and customer experience data.

Combined with analytics and automation, this data can be processed in real-time to monitor the customer experience at all times. In doing this, insights are gained to inform future decisions on your products and services that will leave customers happy.

Final thought

The birth and rise of cloud computing signals a significant moment in history. It has challenged the status quo when it comes to operating the IT systems of a business. With remote workforce management and global transactions now commonplace in business, the benefits of cloud computing will only become more apparent in the coming years.

Hopefully, this list of eight emerging cloud computing innovations that will accelerate growth for 2022 has got you thinking about the ways it can give you a competitive edge.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jenna Bunnell - Senior Manager, Content Marketing, Dialpad

 

Jenna Bunnell is the Senior Manager for Content Marketing at Dialpad, an AI-incorporated cloud-hosted unified communications system that provides valuable call details for business owners and sales representatives. She is driven and passionate about communicating a brand's design sensibility and visualizing how content can be presented in creative and comprehensive ways. Here is her LinkedIn.