Looking ahead at some of the emerging trends for 2020 and Multicloud stands out as one set to be in high demand. It uses a variety of products and services, including infrastructure, hardware, consultancy, software, and management and the industry opens opportunities to access more than a trillion dollars by 2022. If you want some of that small change, here are some valuable nuggets of wisdom to help you tap into the cloud of money.
Making sense of multicloud, hybrid cloud and traditional data centres
Sometimes there is some confusion over the different strategies for data storage. Traditional data centres (TDC) are physical storage systems, housing hardware and software that captures, stores and manages data. They are in-house managed data systems, often located in a large dedicated room or even off-site and require back up generators and cooling systems. TDC’s were the norm before cloud solutions were developed, but by 2025, more than 80% of TDC’s will retire to make way for more efficient and flexible storage options. The only real similarity between TDC and today’s current cloud solutions is that they both store data. Multicloud and hybrid cloud are becoming the new status quo, but it can be challenging to understand the difference between the two.
Simply put, hybrid usually consists of both a private and public cloud, one is often an on-premise facility, think of it as an infrastructure where the hybrid clouds communicate with each other. On the other hand, a multicloud is a strategy utilising multiple public clouds, where potentially each of the clouds has a different vendor. There are multiple vendors available to host public clouds, such as Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services but one of the concerns for many businesses is being locked into one contract or provider, which can put the business in a compromising situation.
Another emerging trend to join the cloud formations is the hybrid multicloud, which is a combination of the two and allows businesses more control, stronger visibility and the ability to host their own software and change vendors when and if they need to. The first company in Southeast Asia to use multicloud is the United Overseas Bank Limited, and they jumped on the cloud so they can provide a quality experience for their customers and adapt to innovative advances in the future.
Concerns about data security
When you mention the word cloud to those who are unfamiliar with it, bewilderment, that a company is trustworthy of storing their data, may be the default emotion. It’s no doubt that security is a valid concern; if a business was to lose their data, they could potentially lose their entire business. According to IBM, in 2020, dashboards will be available to provide a ‘command centre’ to track and monitor security issues faster, which should increase consumer confidence in the cloud architecture. When it comes to accountability for data security, it depends on which strategy you opt for, with hybrid clouds, the company is more responsible than the vendor. Yet, with multicloud, the provider is equally accountable.
With new tech trends continuously emerging, how can you be sure that data is protected? The good news for consumers is that data security is not only necessary but is actually the law. In Southeast Asia, most countries have their own laws; however, a more collaborative agreement has been set up by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) named the ‘ASEAN Framework on Personal Data Protection’ which is closely aligned with international guidelines and aims to monitor and protect data.
Why will cloud be more prominent in Southeast Asia in 2020 and beyond?
As the world becomes even more digital, an increasing number of companies are seeking reliable, secure options for the most valuable asset of their business, their data. In Southeast Asia alone, the dollar investment is said to be more than $40 million USD. With more than 2000 startups and small to medium business enterprises (SME’s) employing between 51.7% to 97.2% in Southeast Asia, there is an increasing demand for cloud services. Add to that, millions of individuals using cloud services. In Indonesia alone, with more than a quarter of a billion populace, the region has been identified as an incubator for startups, it makes sense therefore that multiple companies are investing in Southeast Asia over the next two years. Both the Google Cloud Platform and Amazon Web Services are creating new clouds in Jakarta and Indonesia, and Alibaba is bringing its second data centre to Indonesia.
With the emerging trend of the expansion of multiclouds and even hybrid multiclouds, added with the need for businesses and individuals to have more flexibility, security and access to increasing amounts of data, it is essential to have access to quality, affordable solutions. Given the population and the active investment from international companies, it’s inevitable that Southeast Asia has a bright future in the cloud.