Predictions Report

Predictions For 2014: Cloud Computing

Cloud Formally Joins The IT Portfolio — Whether IT Likes It Or Not

December 4th, 2013
Andras Cser, Vice President, Principal Analyst
Andras Cser Vice President, Principal Analyst
Lauren Nelson, VP, Research Director
Lauren Nelson VP, Research Director
Liz Herbert, VP, Principal Analyst
Liz Herbert VP, Principal Analyst
James Staten, null
James Staten
Dave Bartoletti, null
Dave Bartoletti
John Kindervag, null
John Kindervag
Rachel A. Dines, null
Rachel A. Dines
With contributors:
Christopher Voce , Heather Belanger

Summary

As we head into 2014, cloud computing is no longer a "future" but a "now." Investments are up, enterprise use is widespread, and the hybrid cloud model has arrived. While the bulk of cloud acquisition and use continues to be driven by line of business, in 2014, traditional IT departments will stop asking "why cloud?" and instead get busy integrating cloud into the existing portfolio, extending data center infrastructures with elastic cloud technologies, and consuming new bespoke platforms and private cloud solutions to back the moves by DevOps and line of business. As the age of the customer arrives, all the focus shifts to the systems of engagement and the agility in refining these critical customer tools. Cloud technologies and services represent the fastest way for the business to reach new buyers and breathe new life into aging applications. In 2014, cloud leverage will be both traditional and disruptive as the business and IT put cloud to work. In this report, Forrester's cloud watchers weigh in on what they predict will happen in the world of cloud in 2014.

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