Cloud continuum

How can you transform your cloud from siloed to seamless?

With agile networks that are built for interworking

Today, cloud deployments have become increasingly complex, extending across a diverse landscape of public, private, hybrid, and multi-cloud environments spanning geographical regions, including network-edge components. The concept of distributed cloud deployments, coupled with the integration of distributed compute and network capabilities, has the power to unify and empower capabilities across a cloud continuum. This approach leverages the cloud as an operational model, allowing organizations to harness the full potential of cloud technology and services. The cloud continuum encourages organizations to rethink their operational strategies, fostering a culture of continuous innovation.

$22 billion

Omdia predicts that the telco network cloud market will be worth $22.4 billion by 2028.

86%

According to Accenture, 86% of companies report an increase in cloud initiatives.

82%

According to IDC, 82% of organizations are looking to ensure that all capabilities supporting the full data and AI workflow are tightly integrated in their cloud data platform.

Service providers

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Service provider’s network and cloud infrastructure will become an enabler for new business opportunities

These days, network and cloud strategy are integral to digital transformation. It's critical to comprehend how cloud computing could enable innovation and business operations. Along with edge cloud deployments, opening the network at the edge to ecosystem contributors like application or content providers enables new use cases and new income streams. New access points for low latency, network data exposure and programable network capabilities allow the ecosystem to launch new types of applications and business models. Service providers can provide a value-add by offering a tailored combination of network and cloud resources.

Edge cloud is accelerating 5G monetization

5G and edge computing are on the rise. Automation as well as fostering innovation require the ability to analyze data in real time, which is made possible by edge computing. In conjunction with 5G networks, this is especially true. Cooperation with other industry participants is vital to develop and implement edge solutions, which may require the formation of partnerships or joint ventures and is indicative of a broader industry trend toward collaboration.

Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) is here to stay

Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) has emerged as a significant trend in the ongoing evolution of networks. NaaS allows businesses to subscribe to network services, which is becoming increasingly important as businesses struggle with limited resources and fluctuating network needs. The shift toward a subscription-based model for network services is indicative of a larger change in the delivery and consumption of services.

New types of applications will require compute power at the network edge

New types of devices like VR and AR headsets and new metaverse use cases like XR have yet to gain widespread adoption. Ultra-low latency and high bandwidth are critical and edge computing is necessary to deliver real-time behavior and value for customers that will expand adoption.

Priorities

Embrace the cloud as an innovative platform for discovering new ways of operating your infrastructure and services.
Develop an agile network that can leverage continual developments and expansion of cloud capabilities between applications and workloads across clouds, cloud services, on-premises data centers, and edge networks.
Consider cloud federation approaches (based on open standards, interoperability models and open platforms) where appropriate.
Investigate how to leverage your incumbency in connectivity and physical infrastructure to allow enhanced user experiences in a multi-cloud environment.
Establish interconnectivity points at the network edge to generate new business opportunities in the ecosystem.
Offer edge cloud hosting and API business at the edge network access points to generate new value propositions for ecosystem players.

Enterprises

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Businesses continue to recognize the myriad benefits of cloud and it’s adoption will only accelerate.

Cloud platforms provide the necessary computational power for running complicated AI and ML algorithms, thereby making innovations accessible to businesses of all sizes. The cloud provides storage for the massive amounts of data produced by Internet of Things devices, making it possible to perform analytics and processing in real time. Cloud-based business intelligence tools allow companies to gain insights from the data they collect, which in turn drives informed decision-making.

Enterprises struggle to operate and optimize cross-private, public, hybrid, multi and edge cloud landscapes

It can be difficult for businesses to manage the complexity involved in operating and optimizing a cross cloud landscape due to differences in the tool sets and implementation of each type of cloud. Not every cloud is built the same, with different sets of tools and operational models that each cloud provider offers. This can complicate enterprise operations when operating in a multi-cloud or cloud continuum environment.

Changing dynamics are ushering in cloud 2.0

The cloud has rapidly become a core pillar of business and technology strategies. It has evolved from a mere IT solution into a catalyst for business growth, innovation, and ongoing digital transformation. This evolution has been brought about by a need to reevaluate the real value of cloud investments made hastily during the pandemic and to align cloud plans with long-term business objectives. Additionally, this shift is prompted by a desire to better utilize cloud technology.

Multi-cloud and hybrid cloud strategies are accelerating

The trend towards multi-cloud strategies is expected to skyrocket in the coming years, driven by cost and flexibility advantages, albeit with added complexity in data governance and integration with legacy systems. Multi-cloud hybrid-edge continuum is seen as a crucial advancement to drive ongoing business reinvention by leveraging convergence technologies while avoiding over-reliance on a single public cloud provider.

The world learns the importance of cloud talent development, the hard way

As cloud technology evolves, a growing talent gap continues to be seen. As a result, businesses, governments, academic institutions, and industry organizations must make conscious choices to equip their staff members with necessary digital skill sets, especially in the field to become multi-cloud architects.

Priorities

Find ways to simplify operations through partnerships with communications service providers in addition to cloud providers to address the complexity of the cloud continuum.
Revisit the strategy of on-prem private cloud vs. centralized public cloud vs. edge cloud for different applications and use cases. Develop a longer-term, comprehensive hybrid multi-cloud strategy, considering platforms, technologies, talent, cost, security and regulatory implications.
Encourage innovation by exploring cloud-enabled technologies like AI, blockchain, and IoT, fostering a culture of continuous learning and experimentation.
Leverage edge computing for real-time data processing and analytics, where low latency is critical. This is especially crucial for industries like healthcare, manufacturing, and retail to provide timely insights and actions.
Enhance cybersecurity measures to protect cloud infrastructure and application assets by employing robust encryption, identity and access management solutions, and regular security audits. Consider and evaluate quantum-security.
Invest in training programs to upskill employees in multi-cloud technologies. Consider partnering with educational institutions or cloud service providers for training resources.

What's next?

Nokia is embracing these principles in our business. We are adapting within an ever-changing technology environment and continuously innovating our products, services and practices. We are helping companies to address constantly evolving technology in an accelerating race to deliver in the most advanced, hyperconnected and seamless experiences for their customers.

We’ll help you understand what is needed to evolve your IT, operations, and network infrastructure to fully leverage the opportunities presented by the cloud continuum to transform your business for future success.