Cloud and big data spending 'to exceed £1.2 trillion in 2014'
Cloud and big data spending 'to exceed £1.2 trillion in 2014'
IT spending on cloud computing and handling big data is predicted to exceed the £1.2 trillion market in 2014, according to researchers.
The International Data Corporation’s (IDC) report into expected spending next year said that companies would spend around five per cent more on meeting their IT needs than they did this year. The analysis predicts companies will increasingly turn to new technologies to help them beat their competitors.
Cloud computing systems, mobile and big data are predicted to attract the biggest corporate investment. Spending on new cloud systems is expected to jump by 25 per cent compared to this year, while investment in big data systems – collections of data sets that are too large and complex to process with traditional software systems - is forecast to rise by 30 per cent, the report said.
Although companies appear prepared to invest in technology to help them get ahead of their rivals, IDC said many would face challenges finding suitably qualified staff able to deal with their needs, especially in big data.
Big data cloud platforms are likely to be popular among businesses looking for the analysis benefits of big data without having to invest in buying the physical infrastructure to set up their own systems.
IDC chief analyst Frank Gens said: "In 2014, we'll see every major player make big investments to scale up cloud, mobile, and big data capabilities, and fiercely battle for the hearts and minds of the developers who will create the solutions driving the next two decades of IT spending. Outside the IT industry, third platform technologies will play a leading role in the disruption of almost every other industry on the planet."
IT companies are expected to increase their spending on building new data centres to handle the increased demand for cloud computing solutions. The predicted boom will also benefit hardware manufacturers.
Businesses looking to move services into the cloud, should evaluate the performance of their existing network and consider setting up a leased line or MPLS network.
