Did you know the global market for cloud equipment is expected to reach $79 billion by 2018? Or by the end of 2013, up to 75 percent of UK-based organizations will use at least one type of cloud service?
Thats pretty significant, but not hard to believe given the increasing dependence were placing on cloud computing. Nowhere is this more obvious than with our smartphones and the cloud services that power the applications we use daily, or in some cases, hourly.
While cloud technology has already made vast improvements in the way we share information, there is still so much more potential. Already there are a growing number of companies who recognize the opportunities within cloud computing, and are looking to push cloud tech and create some pretty revolutionary services.
The following are just four examples of new cloud companies looking to shake things up in the digital troposphere.
IndoorAtlas
Thanks to navigational apps on smartphones, we are able to plan our routes and arrive at our destinations with less stress. We might not admit it, but these apps are keeping our lives together as we rush from place to place without the time to make a wrong turn. While navigational apps are great at helping us find the right roads, what if we could use them indoors? Sound odd? Maybe at first, but if we consider the time spent wandering around looking for all the items on our shopping list, we start to see the benefits.
Thats what IndoorAtlas is looking to do. Using geolocation, IndoorAtlas wants to build mobile maps that outline entire stores, malls or even convention centers. We could plan our grocery and holiday shopping routes, or even survive the massive crowds at large indoor events. We could find exactly what were looking for and cut the time spent wandering aimlessly around.
Blue Jeans Network
In 2013, CIO Magazine ranked Blue Jeans third among the top ten cloud startups that year. Since then, it has exploded, racking up more investments and new clients. An issue facing a lot of businesses is the variety of different providers and platforms. This often makes it complicated to coordinate with clients or other organizations operating on different systems.
Thats where Blue Jeans found its niche. They provide interoperable cloud-based video conferencing without the need for downloading additional plugins or software. Subscribers can start meetings with anyone by simply sending a URL that launches the meeting right within their browser. It doesnt matter what platform theyre on, or what device they have, as long as it has video capabilities and can connect to the Internet.
Bitglass
Bitglass is a great example of a company looking to improve network security measures within the cloud. While cloud computing offers many advantages, it isnt perfect (think Apples iCloud). Companies are looking for better ways to protect their information, and Bitglass is doing well to meet the need.
Bitglass is a Cloud Access Security Broker. What does that mean? Well, for example, when we log into Dropbox from our tablets, Bitglass will ensure that communication happens through a protected channel. It will encrypt any sensitive documents so only we can read them. Essentially Bitglass places itself between employees apps and corporate servers, and makes sure every communication is monitored, encrypted or redacted.
Airpost
Another big issue facing network security is the implementation of BYOD (Bring Your Own Device). Allowing employees to use devices they are more comfortable with increases productivity, but it also puts company data at risk.
Enter Airpost. Airpost allows IT administrators to discover the different cloud services that employees are using on their various devices. Instead of simply blocking these applications, IT can gain a better understanding of usage and implement the right controls to enforce security policies.
Theres a lot to look forward to as we dive deeper into cloud computing. Already the industry is expanding, with many startups carving out their specific niches. Who knows, maybe these growing startups could be the solution to business needs you might have.
