Will The Cloud Change In 2014?

In 2014 the cloud may be a little different from previous incarnations.

Many topics about the cloud changes have been discussed around the internet, but what is on target?

Who knows exactly what new tech will evolve with the cloud in the next few years? 2014 promises to be the year of the cloud battles as companies’ ramp up their efforts to gain customers. How they will win the battle will depend on how efficient and secure their cloud is.

Hybrid Cloud

There's a lot of talk about hybrid clouds. This is because many companies still need an IT department, but the cloud offers them a large extension to their IT tech.

The cloud will be a virtual data center, though one that is not completely managed by the company utilizing the service.

Security is a huge issue for companies interested in adding cloud efficiency to their established network. Hackers have endless methods to breach security, so the cloud company with the most secure service is likely to come out on top.

Who's Competing?

Microsoft is a huge contender in the hybrid cloud deployment. Because the giant has so many tools already deployed, it likely will see an increase in market profitability.

However, VMWare has global partnerships that could put it in the front of the cloud's 2014 race. Microsoft looks to incorporate all of its existing services to allow hybrid cloud access and deployment - with tools like Bing, Office, and MSN. It is hard to make the call between the two marketers.

Amazon is another contender in the hybrid cloud solution, but not many people think of Amazon as a problem Microsoft or Vmware needs to worry about.

However, Amazon has the oldest cloud infrastructure in the business - 7 years of operation in the public space. Not bad for a cloud contender. Amazon's largest use of the public space for cloud is Kindle cloud reader, though there are other applications as well, such as streaming video and music.

Amazon doesn't disclose their numbers, but they could be the largest cloud provider with Google as number 2 with number of users.

Disaster Recovery

In the event of a disaster, cloud recovery has become an option many companies prefer.

Storing backups of data offsite is essential in the process of recovery. Before cloud storage was widely available, most companies made discs or hard drives their basic recovery plan.

But if a disaster strikes, of any magnitude, data hard copy backups are likely to be damaged if they are not stored far enough from the original site.

In 2014 more companies are projected to use cloud data storage and advanced disaster recovery techniques.

Hybrid cloud deployment, combined with flexibility, more security, and high efficiency will give CEO's and IT techs a well-deserved sigh of relief.

Every disaster plan should include a move to cloud backups.

Small, medium, and large companies can have a more cost effective storage plan for 2014 as cloud tech becomes cheaper and faster.