Cloud computing trends and tips for successful migration

• Increasing cloud utilization and migration: Cloud usage trends are showing significant growth. Cloud-native applications are a particular focus, as they are developed specifically for the cloud and can therefore capture its full potential.

• Shift to European cloud providers: A significant shift toward European cloud providers is recognizable, partly due to increasing awareness of demands for data protection, privacy, and compliance.

• Automation and DevOps: The automation of IT services, particularly through rule-based methods, continues to gain in importance. DevOps methods play a key role here in boosting efficiency and agility.

• Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML): Increased use of AI and ML in the cloud infrastructure, with a particular emphasis on generative AI in product development and decision-making. This is leading to improved automation, data-driven decisions, and personalized customer experiences.

• Edge computing: Moving data processing closer to where the data is generated cuts latency times and improves the performance of real-time applications. This is particularly important for the IoT (Internet of Things) and many Industry 4.0 use cases.

• Interoperability and portability: The importance of seamless integration and portability of workloads, apps, and data between different cloud environments is increasing, enabling greater flexibility and cost efficiency.

• Multi-cloud and distributed cloud strategies: Companies are increasingly relying on multi-cloud and distributed cloud strategies to optimize performance, reduce vendor dependence, and improve resiliency.

• DataOps and data fabric: Advancements in data management and data analytics support better decision-making and business performance.

• Cloud security: Security in the cloud, including zero-trust models and AI-supported security solutions, is becoming increasingly important for protecting sensitive data and ensuring compliance.

• Cloud cost management and sustainability: The focus on sustainable, cost-efficient cloud management is increasing, helping to optimize resources and shrink the ecological footprint.

• Cloud governance and compliance: Compliance with guidelines and regulations is becoming more and more important, particularly in the context of data protection and AI.

• Cloud-native methodologies: The development of cloud-native applications is increasingly becoming the standard, to improve agility and scalability.

• Industry-specific cloud platforms and products: Custom-tailored cloud solutions to meet the needs of specific industries are becoming more important to accelerating the digital transformation.

Cloud technology, which has become a central pillar of modern business strategies, is undergoing dynamic development, particularly in German-speaking countries. Over 75 percent of IT services already rely on cloud solutions, with an increasing focus on cloud-native applications. This highlights the need for companies to plan and implement their cloud migration strategically, to capture the full benefit of trends like increasing cloud use, the shift to European providers, and the integration of automation and DevOps.

As such, the importance for businesses to have a good cloud infrastructure in 2024 cannot be overstated. In light of rapid technological developments and increasing digitalization in every business sector, a robust, flexible, scalable cloud infrastructure has become a decisive factor for business success. Here are just a few reasons why this is so important: