Over the last year, companies have been increasingly collaborating and exchanging information with external partners and customers, making B2B integration all the more critical for everyday business success. The days of manual processes are long gone with the future focused on automation and scalability. As companies continue to look for ways to extend the value of their existing infrastructures and leverage the on-demand, scalable power of cloud computing, the industry will see new opportunities to help customers solve their business problems, and allow them to better serve their own customers.
The following five predictions are what we expect to create the biggest waves in cloud computing and business integration in 2011. Enterprises that can prepare for and understand these areas will be well equipped to continue taking a proactive approach to the ever-changing challenges of their business.
1. Companies will stop buying cloud and start buying the solution.
Buying the cloud, for cloud sake, was all the rage in 2010. But in 2011, the hype will die down and decision-makers will be more cloud savvy, realising the cloud is just a consumption model - albeit a compelling one. They will go back to basics and focus first on solving a business problem, and then find a good solution. Evaluating a cloud solution is no different than traditional on-premise solutions, where considerations about security, interoperability, proven technology, customer service, etc. all still apply. If it turns out that a cloud solution fits the bill, companies can begin to factor in benefits such as a faster time to implementation, reduced capital expenses and easier management. Next year, fewer IT leaders will push the cloud as the sole priority, and instead lead with the business problem to see whether the cloud is the right delivery model for the solution. dataplex can help you get to the cloud, click here to see how
2. BI2: Convergence of business integration and business intelligence.
There is a clear and steady march to real-time, with more companies exchanging information outside their four walls at an ever increasing rate. Not surprisingly, companies of all sizes want visibility into this goldmine of information given the impact it can have on their top and bottom line. This is particularly true with B2B integration processes, where insights into the status of critical messages, the successful transmission of real-time information, or details on the most active customers or partners can help companies be more agile and adjust to business fluctuations. Whereas BI tools were once deployed as standalone products, in 2011 more customers will want bundled solutions that include business intelligence as a value add necessity included with integration solutions. This will be the year that we'll see more vendors looking to bundle BI into their solutions so customers can benefit from event-driven intelligence.
3. Cloud vendors will unite to address security.
Survey after survey continues to show that fears about cloud security are the primary reason why companies continue to proceed cautiously with moving mission critical data and applications to the cloud. While the benefits of scalability and agility are well-known, the anxiety over security isn't likely to diminish in the near future. However, the cloud industry is hearing customers concerns and taking a proactive stance to address and mitigate potential risk. From the creation of the Cloud Security Alliance and its partnership with MashSSL Alliance to promote the use of a next generation SSL standard for cloud computing to new user certification programs, the industry is working to allay fears about security. In the next year, we'll see a heightened focus from cloud vendors on SLAs, best practices and compliance that will help customers overcome their concerns about security, and keep cloud adoption and innovation on an upwards trajectory.
As we look ahead into 2011, companies will be all the more focused on finding resources and best practices that will best position their businesses for the coming economic recovery. In the end, what matters most is that businesses find the right solutions that allow them "interact" with applications, users and information in a more systematic, aligned way that delivers value to their customers and drives revenue.