Internet of Things

Top 5 cloud computing trends for 2018

Bobby Varghese

Cloud adoption has enabled small enterprises and startups to go on a progressive journey to success instead of rushing aggressively to outrun their competitors. CIO’s are now turning their attention to how the use of technology can help them accomplish their business objectives in 2018.

 

With 2017 coming to an end, we have listed The Top 5 Trends in cloud computing that you should be aware of before you dive into 2018:

 

1. Rapid growth in cloud services solutions

 

Business and consumers had access to try early cloud service because (Saas) Software as a Service was flexible, reliable and financially attractive. Infrastructure as a Service and Platform as a Service have also witnessed an exponential growth which expanded the number of cloud solutions available in the public and private sectors. The simplicity and the optimal performance offered by the cloud will see many more organizations take advantage of cloud computing in 2018

As per the Cisco Global Cloud Index: Forecast and Methodology, 2015–2020

All the services and solution would be used worldwide to achieve a variety of goals. 2018 will see SaaS as the most common and highly deployed cloud service across the globe. 60% of the cloud-based workloads will be SaaS as per the Cisco forecast, a 12% increase over 2017 prediction. IaaS and PaaS are also expected to increase.  Businesses that want to simplify operations and make it easier for their customers to access services will move more aggressively toward integrating SaaS, IaaS, and/or PaaS into their business processes.

 

2. Bigger cloud storage capacity

 

With Cloud Storage becoming a critical part of doing business, the data storage limit is expected to grow ascending in 2018. As a result, more data centers online with larger capacity storage equipment will be brought by different service providers. The Cisco survey estimates that in 2018, estimated total global storage capacity would be 1.1 ZB, which is approximately twice the space available in 2017.

 

3. 2018 is Internet Of Everything(IoE)

Innovators like Elon Musk and Stephen Hawking commented on AI and IoT’s near-term potential and how they played a meritorious role in the tech community. While industry experts anticipate IoT will see its own growth, continuous innovations in real-time data analytics and cloud computing are set to push the internet of everything (IoE) to the fore in 2018. For humans, this will allow us to interact intelligently with every device in a network. Human-to-human communication will also be easier. For e.g: Google’s Pixel Buds(which are expected to be released in late 2017) are a headset equipped with the ability to recognize and translate 40 languages in real-time for its user. IoE will also provide businesses with more insight into how consumers relate to their products or services, customer care units, and one another.

 

4. The rise of 5G

A report drafted by Ericsson on 5G Readiness shows that many operators have accelerated preparations for the new technology, and trials are being carried out by 78 percent of the respondents.

Furthermore, 28 percent of the respondents expect to deploy 5G next year

With the fast internet and superior network quality, customer expectation would be massive. Fast-loading, highly responsive services, and apps would be just minimum expectations. Savvy business owners will evaluate the situation upfront and upgrade their SaaS, PaaS, and website platforms to be more responsive.

 

5. Cloud Security

2017 – Year of more cyber attacks than any other in history

Attacks such as the WannaCry ransomware, the CIA Vault 7 hack, and the Equifax data breach are reminders that cyber attacks are a reality of the 21st century.

We expect 2018 will see more individual and state-sponsored attacks aimed at undermining the security of cloud infrastructures. As cyber attackers become more sophisticated, security analysts in government, public, and private sectors will also have to become more sophisticated and timely in their methods for detecting and preventing attacks. Businesses will recognize the necessity of investing in tools like security information and event management (SIEM) and malware detection systems as fundamental defense mechanisms for cybersecurity.

2018, as expected would witness more individual and state-sponsored attacks targeting cloud infrastructures. Business will recognize the necessity of investing in tools like UEM(Unified EndPoint Management), SIEM(Security Information and Event management) and malware detection systems as fundamental defense mechanisms for cybersecurity.

What do you think would be 2018 cloud computing trends? Let us know in the comments below.

Sysfore, Microsoft Gold partner, uses leading network, technology, and service expertise to deliver our service anytime, virtually anywhere, quickly and efficiently. Contact one of our experts today and we will help you find the perfect solution for your business. Write to us at info@sysfore.com or give us a call at +91 (80) 4110 5555.

 

Debunking the common misconceptions about IoT

Bobby Varghese

The number of devices connected to the internet are increasing every day and are bringing fascinating changes in the entire industry. These changes generate a lot of curiosity among the leaders and come with various misconceptions. With one negative incident involving the IoT, businesses jump to conclusions which prevent them from deriving the benefits of IoT as a whole.

In this article we have debunked some of the common misconceptions about Internet of Things:

IoT is a new Technology: Many business leaders believe that IoT is a new technology and doesn’t guarantee success. While the term “Internet of Things” is relatively new, the underlying technology and business model has been generating tremendous value for more than a decade for businesses worldwide. A study by Boston Consulting Group revealed that small businesses that use IoT increase their revenue 15% faster than those who don’t.

It is just another Machine to Machine (M2M): With data moving between multiple connected devices, IoT seems to have similar functionalities as of M2M. However, in reality, IoT covers a lot more than that and can be called an extension of M2M. More than one host on the Internet could act as a central control system in IoT which allows remote monitoring and control of various other devices like smartphones which would have an application communicating with the common host.

Only big companies with high budgets can leverage IoT: According to a survey, nearly half of all small businesses believe IoT is expensive. They believe that only large corporations with higher budgets can implement and maintain a connected infrastructure. Whereas, in reality, smaller companies are more flexible and can better leverage the IoT-driven opportunities.

IoT is only for operational use: IoT is not only for use in background operations and has more to do with savings and improving efficiency of the organization. It allows accurate collection and reliable view of data with the help of multiple sensors on connected devices. With cheaper sensors and ways of accessing the information from these sensors, a company can increase its efficiency, improve products and discover new business models.

CONCLUSION: Do not let these misconceptions distract you from reality. The IoT is a feasible development that will take over the entire world. Those who prepare for it today will be the first ones to bring a new revolution tomorrow.

Discovering the Potential of the Retail Industry with IoT

Bobby Varghese

The number of connected devices is increasing every day. They are not only changing the way we live our lives but are also bringing dramatic changes in the entire industry. According to Mckinsey, the Internet of Things offers a potential economic impact of $4 trillion to $11 trillion a year in 2025. In the current industrial scenario, implementation of the internet of things is more evident in the retail industry. Retailers have now been able to collect information from various devices and process it to make smart decisions.

Let’s observe how the Internet of Things has revolutionized retail industries:

Improved Retail Experience: Customers can take help from the robots with the touch screen menu to find a product instead of walking in multiple corridors. Smart mirrors installed in various retail stores help the customers to see how a garment will look on their body without actually wearing it. They can also scan the bar codes on the product to get the corresponding information from the internet.

Precision in Inventory Tracking: Employees in production department can get precise data about the work in progress and the finished goods. Retailers can track and manage their inventory to meet their customers’ demands regardless of complications in the supply chain.

Prevention of Fraud and Shortage: Products are tagged with RFID tags which alert the retailer of a theft attempt. These tags also help the retailers to keep a track of their goods which are sold online in large quantities and have high chances of theft/shortage.

Improved In-store Experience: With IoT, retailers have various opportunities to improve their customer’s in-store experience. Customers in the close vicinity of the store receive targeted offers. They also receive special deals and offers while inside store thereby improving their shopping experience.

Make most of In-store Flow: With the IoT, retailers are able to collect insights about customers’ interests, purchasing patterns, etc. Using GPS and locations, they send notifications to their customers’ devices about the available promotional schemes, discount coupons, etc. to enhance customer experience.

Sync between Storage and Smart Shelf: With IoT, retailers are now able to track their goods, available inventory on the shelf and in the storage, manufacturing and delivery times, etc. This helps them to manage their inventory and eliminate the chances of an empty shelf in the store.

This being said, we still see a lot of potential in the retail industry to make use of IoT. The retailers should understand that the IoT isn’t just about sensors and connectivity — it’s about creating new customer experiences, revenue streams, and business models.