The cloud landscape changed considerably in 2012, ushering in what many consider a revolution in business operations and IT functionality. While the revolutionary period may have hit its peak as the cloud has become mainstream, the technology will continue to evolve in 2013, enabling it to strengthen its hold in the enterprise and continue changing the way people get the job done. In many ways, the evolution of cloud computing will emphasize the challenges presented by the technology, making solutions like business process management software important as strategic options for organizations strive to make the most of the technology.
Cloud maturing in 2013
As the cloud evolves and matures, a few key solutions are gaining prominence. Citing various industry studies, a recent CloudTweaks report explained that the coming year will be one in which cloud systems will be adopted more broadly and in a greater variety of ways.
One area of change in the cloud sector will be the increased use of hybrid cloud solutions. The news source explained that many industry experts anticipate that businesses will increasingly turn to hybrid cloud systems in order to support their overarching technological goals. By mixing public and private cloud systems, organizations gain access to the best options offered by both, and can tailor their cloud setup to their specific business needs.
Another key trend emerging in the cloud sector is the intermingling of cloud and mobile systems. Citing a Forrester Research study, the news source explained that cloud computing and mobile technologies are increasingly dependent on one another and used in a mixed way. This is leading to major changes in enterprise operations because attaching cloud applications to mobile solutions is becoming more common.
Responding to shifts in cloud functionality
As cloud computing continues to evolve, businesses have to consider how they support solutions to enable operational gains. BPM software makes this easier by giving organizations the technology they need to integrate the cloud applications and ensure users gain access to the data they need, when they need it, regardless of which device they are using. Because of this, BPM solutions are emerging as key cloud enablers that help organizations take the initial benefits delivered by the cloud and turn them into large-scale operational gains that help produce revenue.
Cindy Cheng
Director of Product Marketing
