Signs of a Mature Cloud Computing Industry
Differentiation and Niches are Signs that the Cloud-Computing Industry is Maturing.
Every industry has growing pains until it reaches maturity. Consider these six points of cloud computing’s journey to maturation:
The Appearance of Niches — Niche products and services are a sign that an industry is maturing. The biggest niche seems to be in the security segment. There are suppliers of cloud-based authentication technology, cloud-based wireless routing management and technology, cloud-based VPN management and simplified firewalls managed in the cloud to name a few.
Traditional Models Transformed — There are backup products moving to cloud models, antivirus moving to cloud models — even a cloud-based transcription service that uses the cloud technology to simplify global transcription services. “Cloudification” seems to be a common occurrence nowadays.
Traditional Models Deceased –The biggest of these deaths is in how software is delivered. The end of CD and DVD installation media is predicted to die within the next five years. Many companies such as Adobe offer not only online distribution but online use of software. Healthcare practice management software is increasingly going cloud-based. As cloud continues to grow, certain technology will fade away.
Commoditization Begins — Commoditization usually takes some time to develop in industries, but in some aspects of cloud it is happening rather quickly. Online storage companies are very affordable and will continue to be competitive.
Multiple Players — Cloud providers run the whole gamut of types and quality. Most are keeping a vigilant eye on one another, while a few lone wolves press on to winning the game.
Fluctuations — As many companies continue to be gobbled up by bigger players, some industry experts predict the waning of the cloud industry; just as it happens in almost every maturing business. However, the deciding factor of life or death is the ability to ‘differentiate’. Without that, survival of any industry diminishes. Going forward, the cloud industry will be motivated by change and possibly natural selection to some extent, but ultimately it will produce the champions and things will settle into a new status quo for the cloud industry.
Source:
Wired.com
