Cloud technology has become ubiquitous. The cloud enables faster and lower-cost technologies for any business to access digital services, from sole proprietors and freelancers to enterprises with thousands of employees. Every business depends on cloud technologies in some form, even if it’s just for services like email, WhatsApp, e-commerce, or online banking.
But that ubiquity doesn’t mean cloud innovation stands still. New cloud trends are creating exciting ways for businesses to improve and grow. These emerging cloud trends can be very useful for your business.
1. Artificial intelligence
The cloud has made it possible to train and deploy all types of AI technologies, from popular large language model/GPT services to background systems for predictive analytics. AI is also being used more for efficient cloud management, such as real-time resource allocation and automated scaling.
Use case: Companies that run cloud infrastructure are using AI resource management to create impressive cost reductions and performance improvements. Companies using cloud software platforms can now often use new AI tools as part of their subscription.
2. Hybrid edge cloud
Edge cloud deployments are smaller servers and systems located away from central cloud datacentres and nearby the people that rely on them. These systems drastically improve response times and real-time data processing, using technologies such as 5G to selectively communicate with larger, centralised cloud datacentres.
Use case: Companies can own the edge site but not the central cloud systems, creating an affordable hybrid edge cloud. They invest in smaller edge data centres integrated with larger third-party central cloud services—very useful for medium-sized businesses with smaller IT teams.
3. Cloud security
Cybercrime remains a massive threat. But mixing zero-trust security with cloud technologies has created a new kind of cybersecurity platform that automatically finds threats and provides advanced security features like post-quantum cryptography.
Use case: Modern cloud-based security platforms don’t just look for known attacks. They inspect software and user behaviours, looking for anything strange and then reacting quickly to stop a potential attack. Even smaller companies are able to access these services at reasonable costs.
4. Industry-Specific Cloud Solutions:
As businesses become comfortable with cloud technologies, they want vertical-specific cloud offerings that are tailored to their industries. Healthcare clouds, financial services clouds, and retail clouds are some examples.
Use case: An industry-specific cloud offers features tailored to a particular sector—for example, HIPAA compliance for healthcare providers or KYC verification tools for financial companies—saving those companies the effort and money required to tweak software until it suits their specific needs.
5. Specialised business services:
Most companies don’t need to invest directly in cloud servers to see the advantages. There are many powerful, cloud-native business platforms that offer specialised software for business departments, such as HR, payroll, accounting, logistics, and more. These platforms include automation tools and regular updates that reduce low-value/high-demand tasks.
Use case: Departments that must keep up with changing regulations, such as employment or tax laws, can use specialised cloud platforms that automatically track and update such information.
6. Local cloud providers
Businesses have considerable choice among large public cloud providers such as AWS, Azure, and GCP. But there is also a growing industry of local cloud providers that offer cost-effective and specialised services.
Use case: Local cloud providers are often best positioned to offer guarantees around issues like data sovereignty compliance, and they are less affected by foreign currency changes as they can charge in local currencies and thus keep costs predictable.
Every business can benefit from cloud computing, which is projected to be worth over R113 billion by 2028 (Africa Analysis). What can the cloud do for you? Speak to Vodacom Business, the partner that offers cloud software, multi- and public-clouds for enterprises, and cloud services for smaller businesses.
