As we look back at 2022, we can reflect on a year which saw businesses across the globe implement structures to accommodate modern working methods through the adoption of efficient technologies. This was particularly evident with the increased emphasis on cloud computing as a strategic tool to ensure market competitiveness and longevity.
According to a recent Gartner report, expenditure worldwide on cloud computing services is expected to reach nearly $600 billion by the end of 2023. Clearly, the pandemic had a huge influence on this market growth. Efficient Cloud technologies remain crucial for all IT infrastructures, continuing to form the backbone of business operations.
For those in the tech industry, the reliance on cloud makes sense, but encouraging further necessary investments can prove tricky. So how can IT leaders inform other decision makers on the many benefits cloud creates, using what we’ve learned from 2022? Well one useful way is to demonstrate how it intersects, supports and nurtures other popular business priorities like sustainability, security, and hybrid working
Cloud and Sustainability
One of the most significant trends to emerge in 2022, and arguably one of the biggest trends of the last decade, is the focus on sustainability and the benefits to GHG emissions cloud computing offers.
Research revealed that around 25% of an organisation’s scope 2 emissions are produced by data centres. While the cloud is perceived as the ‘cleaner’ alternative, it would be untrue to say it has no footprint at all. It is clearly a more environmentally friendly alternative, enabling businesses to take the right steps along a greener path.
To mitigate the carbon footprint the cloud does have is also relatively simple. Businesses should adopt carbon-efficient and cost-effective infrastructure solutions. This starts with a four-step approach; assessing, optimising, transforming and repurposing existing infrastructures.
For example, exploring how to minimise spare capacity and turn off unnecessary cloud resources can have a dramatic decrease in your carbon output and cost.
The key to sustainable infrastructure is identifying the right cloud strategy, which in turn will reduce power and carbon, whilst increasing capacity and improving overall performance. This is imperative to the smooth running of the wider business, as streamlined infrastructure is critical in areas such as supply chain management, invoicing, disaster recovery, e-commerce, banking, and order processing.
Security
Another growing trend in 2022, was the evolution of cyber awareness. Following several high-profile attacks, businesses have invested time and money in creating a cyber aware workforce. An important investment as employees are your first line of defence – but they should by no means be your last.
Taking it that one step further, adopting cloud-based technology is one of the best ways to secure business and employee data. With the added processes such as authentication, access management and data encryption allowing for all sensitive data to be handled securely.
Hybrid networks and Cloud Commuting
This added layer of security is crucial for facilitating hybrid working, as cloud enables organisations to handle data outside of an encrypted office network.
Cloud computing is helping accelerate the success of hybrid working, and its flexibility and agility means this new system doesn’t risk breaking. Cloud offers strength to disparate teams, making it easier to communicate more seamlessly, as well as sharing and accessing information with greater ease.
The transition has also opened recruitment to a much broader radius than to those who would have had to traditionally be within commutable distance of an office. This wider and more flexible approach to recruitment also helps with the retention of existing employees.
Virtual environments forced the hand of many organisations in terms of collaboration in the workplace, particularly regarding investment in tools and infrastructure. However, the knock-on effect has allowed organisations to scale more cost-efficiently during a challenging period – something that would have been unthinkable even 10 years ago.
Rather than investing in the addition of extra server space, hardware and other resources needed for office work, business can scale costs by investing in cloud and infrastructure strategies to boost capacity and minimise energy consumption.
Summary
2022 has seen companies continue to streamline their costs, a trend which looks set to continue into 2023. As such, the adoption of cloud technology will continue to increase, through the cost efficiencies it brings.
Aside from cost efficiencies, cloud computing changed the way work, works over the course of 2022. Enabling the adoption of hybrid working in 2022 and will continue to facilitate the introduction of technology as organisations look to explore new frontiers of innovation.
Uma Rajagopal has been managing the posting of content for multiple platforms since 2021, including Global Banking & Finance Review, Asset Digest, Biz Dispatch, Blockchain Tribune, Business Express, Brands Journal, Companies Digest, Economy Standard, Entrepreneur Tribune, Finance Digest, Fintech Herald, Global Islamic Finance Magazine, International Releases, Online World News, Luxury Adviser, Palmbay Herald, Startup Observer, Technology Dispatch, Trading Herald, and Wealth Tribune. Her role ensures that content is published accurately and efficiently across these diverse publications.