Gartner, Inc. forecasts a significant evolution in cloud computing by 2028, transitioning from a disruptive force to an essential element for maintaining business competitiveness. IT spending on public cloud services exhibits a consistent upward trend, with an estimated global end-user spending of $679 billion in 2024, projected to surpass $1 trillion by 2027.
Milind Govekar, Distinguished VP Analyst at Gartner, emphasizes that organizations are increasingly investing in cloud technology due to its capacity to drive innovation, create market disruptions, and augment customer retention, thereby gaining a crucial edge in the market landscape. Despite the widespread adoption and recognition of the technical advantages offered by cloud technology, many organizations have yet to unlock its complete potential in facilitating comprehensive business transformation.
Gartner points out that while leveraging the cloud’s capabilities, only a select few have effectively harnessed its full potential to catalyze business transformation. Consequently, organizations are leveraging the cloud as a catalyst for a new wave of disruption, predominantly propelled by artificial intelligence. This strategic approach enables businesses to unlock substantial business value at a significant scale.
Cloud computing has emerged as a transformative force, revolutionizing businesses’ operations and paving the way for innovation. Initially perceived as a mere technology platform, cloud computing has rapidly evolved into a strategic imperative, poised to become a business necessity for organizations of all sizes by 2028.
Gartner’s insightful predictions paint a clear picture of this remarkable transformation. By 2028, over 50% of enterprises are expected to embrace industry cloud platforms, harnessing their specialized capabilities to fuel their business initiatives. This shift signifies a profound transition from cloud computing as a technology disruptor to an indispensable driver of business success.
Currently, most organizations reside at the “Cloud as Capability Enabler” stage, leveraging cloud infrastructure to enhance their operations and improve efficiency. However, the impending transition to “Cloud as Business Necessity” underscores the growing recognition that cloud computing is not merely a technological advancement but a fundamental enabler of business growth and competitive advantage.
Industry cloud platforms will play a pivotal role in facilitating this transformation. These specialized platforms, tailored to specific industries, offer many benefits, including pre-configured solutions, industry-specific best practices, and access to a vibrant ecosystem of partners and experts. Organizations can accelerate their business initiatives, streamline operations, and gain a competitive edge by leveraging industry cloud platforms.
Amidst the digital revolution, the strategic shift toward cloud computing marks a pivotal shift for businesses. Adopting cloud technology is a linchpin in reshaping computing paradigms, empowering enterprises to unlock new realms of capability previously unattainable in the pre-cloud era. With a focus on elasticity, continuous integration and delivery, serverless functionalities, and AI-driven processes, organizations are poised to leverage these transformative capabilities. However, this shift necessitates meticulously evaluating factors like skill investments, operational cohesion, and a cultural shift toward collaboration and automation.
[To share your insights with us, please write to sghosh@martechseries.com]