As we approach 2019, the role of cloud computing in today’s tech landscape continues to expand. This growth has given birth to a new trend: multi-cloud management. As enterprises become more cloud-reliant, they are increasingly adopting multiple cloud services to meet their diverse requirements. While this has its benefits, it has also led to new challenges, primarily around managing these multiple platforms. Here are some key trends we expect to shape the world of simplified multi-cloud management in 2019.
- Increased Adoption of Multi-cloud Strategies: The concept of using a single cloud provider for all applications and services is rapidly becoming a thing of the past. The year 2019 is expected to witness a more substantial shift towards multicloud strategies, where enterprises are more likely to use different clouds for different purposes. This allows organizations to avoid vendor lock-in, optimize costs, and tap into the unique strengths of different cloud service providers.
- Emergence of Multicloud Management Platforms: As enterprises increasingly adopt multicloud environments, the demand for tools and platforms that simplify the management of these environments will rise. We can expect to see more mature, user-friendly, and comprehensive multicloud management platforms in 2019, which offer features such as cost management, performance tracking, security compliance, and seamless orchestration of resources across different cloud environments.
- Focus on Automation and AI: The next year is likely to see a surge in the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation within the multicloud management space. AI can provide insights into cost optimization, security risks, and operational efficiency by analyzing data across various cloud platforms. Additionally, automation can significantly reduce the complexity of managing a multicloud environment by automating routine tasks such as deployment, monitoring, and scaling of resources.
- Security and Compliance in the Spotlight: With data breaches becoming more common and regulations such as GDPR in effect, the focus on security and compliance in multicloud management will intensify in 2019. We will likely see increased demand for multicloud management solutions that offer advanced security features, automated compliance checks, and the ability to manage data privacy across multiple clouds.
- More Emphasis on Training and Skills Development: As multicloud environments become more common, there will be a more significant need for IT professionals with the skills to manage these complex environments. In 2019, we expect to see more emphasis on training and certification programs in multicloud management.
- Rise of Edge Computing: Edge computing, which involves processing data closer to its source, has been on the rise. This trend is expected to influence multicloud management, with an increasing number of organizations combining edge computing with multicloud strategies to optimize performance and reduce latency.
The world of multicloud management is poised for substantial growth in 2019. As businesses continue to seek ways to maximize the benefits of their cloud investments, simplified multicloud management will become an increasingly important piece of the puzzle. We eagerly look forward to the innovative solutions and trends that 2019 will bring to this exciting space.
Update: March 10, 2020
2019 Trends Reviewed
As we examine the progress made in the field of multi-cloud management in 2019, it’s essential to critically evaluate how the anticipated trends discussed in our previous article actualized, along with an academic acknowledgement of key industry contributors like IBM.
- Increased Adoption of Multi-Cloud Strategies: The prediction for a significant increase in the adoption of multi-cloud strategies was largely accurate, with many businesses seeing the benefits of diversifying their cloud services. However, the pace of adoption was perhaps overestimated, with certain sectors showing a slower uptake than initially expected.
- Emergence of Multi-Cloud Management Platforms: While there was indeed the emergence of multi-cloud management platforms, the diversity and depth of these platforms may not have reached the high expectations set. While offerings like IBM’s Multi-Cloud Manager helped businesses navigate their cloud ecosystems, the broader market was still in a state of evolution and maturation.
- Focus on Automation and AI: While AI and automation found their place in multi-cloud management, the rate of integration was not as explosive as predicted. Industry contributors like IBM did incorporate AI into their multi-cloud solutions, but wider adoption of these advanced technologies was somewhat slower, indicating a more gradual integration process in practice.
- Security and Compliance in the Spotlight: Although security and compliance were indeed significant themes in 2019, the prediction underestimated the complexity of implementing thorough security measures and compliance checks in multi-cloud environments. While industry players like IBM equipped their offerings with robust security features, it was clear that mastering these aspects in a multi-cloud context presented a substantial challenge.
- More Emphasis on Training and Skills Development: While there was an increased focus on skills development, the demand for IT professionals with multi-cloud management skills outstripped the supply. Even with numerous training and certification programs emerging across the sector, there is still a noteworthy skills gap in the industry.
- Rise of Edge Computing: The prediction regarding the impact of edge computing on multi-cloud management was on point, although the integration of edge computing with multi-cloud strategies is still in an early phase, and its full potential is yet to be realized.
In summary, while our 2019 foresight was generally accurate, there were areas where the realities of the market and technological developments didn’t fully align with our expectations. This reflection provides an opportunity for recalibrating our understanding and predictions as we continue to monitor the evolving landscape of multi-cloud management.
