Cloud computing is predicted to be a rising technology in 2013 and is on track to become a $150 billion+ market. IT spending worldwide is predicted to be more than $3.7 trillion (according to a Gartner report). As more and more people become educated on cloud technology and its benefits, more companies are making the move to the cloud.
A study conducted by the University of Milan foresees cloud computing as growing exponentially in 2013. The IDC, the leading research organisation for analyzing future trends, predicts that worldwide IT spending on cloud services will triple by 2013 reaching $44.2 billion.
There are many differing opinions about which cloud computing trends will emerge in 2013, but it’s predicted that 60% of server workloads will be in the cloud, and more and more IT organizations will move to the cloud for releasing new technologies. Enterprises will embrace the cloud because, although there are still some apprehensions about the public cloud, there isn’t much argument against the usage of cloud computing itself. Despite those reservations about the public cloud, the IDC predicts that, by 2015, one of every seven dollars spent on packaged software, server, and storage offerings will be through the public cloud model.
[Read the IDC's full predictions on the future of cloud computing]
Many businesses are seeing one of the biggest benefits of cloud services is the ability to significantly decrease operation costs. For small to medium-sized businesses, the opportunity to cut spending while still getting maximum value is pretty much a no-brainer. And with many cloud service providers catering to pay-as-you-go service plans, it’s never been easier to try different cloud services to determine which one is the best fit for you.
As cloud computing is better understood and matures, the competition between service providers should also ramp up. Don’t be overwhelmed by all the options. The best step to take when venturing into the cloud is to do your research. Cloud providers offer different services, features and pricing plans. Make sure to take advantage of free trials and pay-as-you-go plans so you don’t get locked into a long-term contract with a service that doesn’t meet your specific needs.
Are you already taking advantage of cloud computing and its many benefits? What is your biggest hang-up for not moving to the cloud?
Check out this great visual breakdown infographic for more eye-opening Cloud Computing stats.
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