Cloud Computing Predictions For 2009

Cloud computing gained prominence in 2008 when the likes of Google, IBM, Microsoft and Salesforce started offering numerous products/services based on the Cloud’s famous ‘on-demand’ delivery pattern. However, Cloud computing is just blossoming and 2009 could be the year when people realize its true worth. Following are some predictions regarding the emergence of Cloud computing in 2009:

This could turn out to be the defining year for the Cloud and its growth is bound to surpass all expectations. Percentages achieved might differ at the end of the year, but one thing remains certain — the Cloud market is bound to multiply at a healthier rate, which could even be in excess of 20%. One factor that could work in the benefit of those opting for cloud computing is the impetuous on cutting costs. Cloud services are bound to attract companies that are budget-strapped and want to deliver faster applications without having to invest too much in new servers or softwares. Bigger companies too are bound to embrace the Cloud aggressively as the economic slump continues to hammer the stock markets. Data-integration through the Cloud promises faster integration and financial savings — something that will be difficult to ignore.

Cloud computing is turning into a stimulus for the struggling IT sector and firms searching for cheaper financial planning. However, this doesn’t mean that it will be able to solve every IT-related challenge that comes its way. All businesses aren’t very enthusiastic about being solely dependent upon the Cloud. This could inspire the onset of blended solutions. Already, 2008 witnessed the introduction of GoGrid’s 1.0 Cloud Connect version. This was a breakthrough application as it allowed personalised solutions through a hybrid mode that included using multiple dedicated servers that were in turn connected to the Cloud servers. 2009 could see this pattern being further extended as there is a growing demand from database-intrinsic computing companies that aren’t yet ready to be solely dependent on Cloud.

Healthcare services are a growing concern and Cloud computing could help empower the patients with regards to access to medical information. The saviours could be in the form of Google and Microsoft, although Microsoft seems to be losing the race. They have the potential to make health records being made more accessible through data portability. This makes sense as people are realising the risk concerned with their detailed personal information being locked-up and under the jurisdiction of third-party servers. This improvement could be in the form of Health 2.0 (SaaS) which is increasingly being endorsed by the global healthcare system.

Google will multiply its Cloud offering and enterprises will find it hard to resist the multitude of applications offered by an improved version of Google Apps. Google has been very aggressive and as already acquired Postini. The upgraded Cloud features from Google will attract consumers who are currently using applications like Lotus Notes and Microsoft Exchange/Office.

We can no longer ignore the fact that Web 3.0 is here to stay. Even with Web 2.0, integrations were increasingly becoming popular and Web 3.0 is bound to make these amalgamated solutions more effective — almost flawless. Web 3.0 has the potential of going beyond the usual data applications and more integration will be induced even in basic computing environments. In all probability, different patterns will emerge within the Cloud computing infrastructure as companies are increasingly realising the limitations of a data centre delivery system. These new users will add to the volume of Web 3.0 applications. The increased use of Web 3.0 and blended solutions will lead to the creation of more distinctive SaaS and PaaS applications.

Until now, Oracle has silently watched the likes of Salesforce and similar smaller vendors gain immensely by offering ‘pay-on-demand’ computing packages. However, this only appears like a latent period before Oracle announces itself in the Cloud computing segment. Even now, Oracle has its database being presented as an option through Amazon EC2. Oracle isn’t new to the Cloud solution segment and has tasted something similar in the form of its ‘Oracle-on-Demand’ offering.