There’s no question that cloud storage services are very much the future of storage solutions for any industry where security, efficiency, compliance and cost effectiveness are important. The statistics show that for many businesses, that future is already here, but what do the years ahead hold for this growth market?
In this guide we’ll talk about the current state of play in the cloud storage solutions for B2B world as well as picking out key future trends that you need to be aware of. So here’s everything you need to know about the future of cloud storage for businesses.
Cloud storage solutions for B2B: The current picture
At this point, the benefits of cloud technology hardly need restating, so whether you’re looking for the best cloud storage for accountants or simply cloud storage solutions for mid-sized businesses, you’ll know that Cert-Trace® has the tools you need to succeed.
But just how big is the cloud-based software market when it comes to document digitization? In 2023, end-user spending on public cloud services was forecast to reach almost $600 billion, more than 20% up from 2022. And this is just the start. By 2027 global cloud infrastructure spending is projected to reach $1.35 trillion.
Currently around half of all tech companies invest in cloud computing innovations and it’s estimated by 60% of all the world’s corporate data is stored in the cloud.
This is where the world is in terms of the shift to cloud-based storage, but what future trends are likely to shape this industry in the years to come?
Future Trends in Cloud Storage Solutions for B2B Markets
The future of cloud storage for businesses is already looking bright, with new innovations demonstrating that challenges like cybersecurity risks can be mitigated while proving that cloud storage solutions for enterprises and SMEs alike can save time and money for businesses.
Here are some of the key trends to watch out for:
1. Blockchain for document archiving
Blockchain is primarily recognized for its role in cryptocurrency trading. However, the attributes that make it effective for recording transactions also make it highly suitable for enhancing security in various other applications.
One such application is document archiving, where blockchain’s security features can be utilized to ensure the integrity of critical data and safeguard it from unauthorized access. The immutability of blockchain makes it ideal for security, transparency and accountability, which is why cloud storage options like Cert-Trace® are going to become ever more important for businesses of all shapes and sizes in years to come.
2. Hybrid and Multi-Cloud solutions
The growth of hybrid cloud solutions in recent years has been significant, with 82% of enterprises using this model – a combination of private and public clouds, while 90% are using a multi-cloud infrastructure – at least one shared and one private cloud.
This is done to optimize performance, cost and redundancy, allowing for greater flexibility and resilience in data management, though it remains to be seen whether this particular trend will continue to grow or whether the rise of comprehensive solutions like Cert-Trace® demonstrate that a multi-cloud option might not be the most effective.
3. Small businesses playing catch-up
So far we’ve seen enterprises and big businesses eager to jump into the world of cloud storage but many smaller businesses – especially outside the world of tech – have remained with on-premise storage. However, as they seek to bounce back from the twin impacts of the pandemic and financial crisis, finding ways to save time and money is becoming a priority.
Cloud storage gives them the chance to not only work in a more cost-effective manner but also compete with their larger rivals through increased collaboration and efficiency. So you can expect to see more and more small and medium businesses start to make the switch to the cloud.
4. Compliance issues on the rise
Most industries are already becoming much more aware of the risks of not being compliant with the latest regulations as the old ‘wild west’ days of the internet are being rapidly legislated. For smaller businesses, it can be a full-time job working out whether processes and procedures are being done in a compliant way.
Several cloud storage services are also having to play catch-up to ensure that they are offering their customers features that help them meet their compliance needs and this is only likely to accelerate. The security features offered by Cert-Trace® are already tailored to meet the highest standards of stringent industry compliance requirements. This can help you avoid the fines and penalties that can be imposed for improper storage.
5. Continued growth of AI and IoT
Artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things are already changing the way we work and the way we live. And both of them are generating lots and lots of data every single day. Enterprise IoT data is estimated to reach 73 zettabytes by 2025, which is ten times more than all data on the internet currently.
This incredible expansion in the creation and collection of data is another major reason why so many businesses are moving to the cloud so they can have scalable solutions that can meet the demands for gathering, securely storing and accessing this much data.
6. Sustainable cloud storage on the rise
This dramatic rise in cloud storage will inevitably lead to questions about just how sustainable the industry is. Currently this is a major issue, with cloud data centers accounting for 0.3% of all carbon emissions in the world and having a greater carbon footprint than the aerospace industry.
Solutions like Cert-Trace® are attempting to change that. Our green blockchain technology is very energy-efficient, using a fraction of the energy used by traditional blockchain. You can expect more cloud storage providers to start looking at ways to minimize their carbon footprint as the industry goes green.
These are the key future trends for cloud storage solutions for B2B, so if you want to get started on your own cloud storage future, why not get in touch with our Cert-Trace® team at info@tracert.digital to find out more?
