The Indian SMEs industry is experiencing a shift to multicloud and hybrid cloud models in place of traditional single cloud models.
According to a study by Tata Tele Business Services, 50 per cent of Indian SMEs have leveraged cloud solutions to drive business expansion in the fiscal year 2024. The rising growth of cloud services is due to the rising usage of cloud technologies in various industries, particularly in SMEs. For SMEs, cloud services provide an option to expand, improve, and stay ahead in this competitive market. Unlike other countries, India is skipping traditional infrastructure and embracing cloud-native solutions on a large scale.
Why SMEs Prefer Multicloud And Hybrid Models
The transformation in cloud computing by multicloud and hybrid setups is accelerating digital development and sustainable growth. Indian SMEs are moving towards multicloud and hybrid setups due to several reasons:
* Flexibility: Multicloud and Hybrid models can divide the workload into various cloud systems, optimising performance to function faster and better.
* Cost Optimisation: SMEs get the opportunity to choose the most efficient and affordable cloud system that suits their requirements. Some multicloud and hybrid setups also offer a pay-as-you-go pricing model to provide a cost-efficient model.
* Vendor Risk Reduction: With a Multicloud system, it is easier to manage and continue the services during a cloud system failure by relying on other systems. It decreases the risk of depending on a single vendor.
* Data Sovereignty: The Hybrid model is effective for SMEs to secure sensitive data in-house, while using other cloud services for less critical operations. It also incorporates India's data protection laws to secure critical data within the country.
How SMEs Are Evolving Various Industries
Various industries require advanced uses of cloud services that are possible with the implementation of Multicloud and Hybrid cloud models. The way SMEs impact various industries is:
* E-commerce: E-commerce SMEs need to handle high demand for a smooth customer experience. To meet high demand, multicloud systems provide better performance and avoid failures.
* Fintech: The companies in fintech focus on the security of the data; thus, Software-as-a-service (SaaS) applications are their main priority as they provide authenticity and dedicated security.
* Analytics and AI: A Hybrid model helps businesses to use the public cloud for data analytics and workload, while the private cloud maintains the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system.
* These showcase the core usage of multicloud and hybrid cloud services by various SMEs to adopt technology, innovate, and grow.
Key Challenges
Regardless of the practical solutions, Multicloud and hybrid cloud models face several challenges:
* Skill Shortage: It could be challenging to manage the complex cloud system of hybrid and multicloud models. It requires advanced expertise with innovative equipment.
* Cost Unpredictability: It requires proper knowledge to articulate and select cloud services based on the need, as some cloud services involve hidden charges; otherwise, the expenses could burn the money of the organisation.
* Security and Maintenance: Ensuring proper maintenance and management is important; any kind of error could lead to a risk of data leak or system failure.
The multicloud and hybrid cloud systems require seamless integration and advanced operations. The challenges share some risk with their benefits. To tackle challenges, organisations need to choose the right cloud environment that can manage high-demand workloads, data security, and is also cost-effective.
Cloud-driven Growth For SMEs
The Indian SMEs industry is experiencing a shift to multicloud and hybrid cloud models in place of traditional single cloud models. The shift helps IT professionals and organisations to grow, enhance flexibility and manage cost. By implementing multicloud and hybrid cloud systems, businesses can innovate to compete with global players. With advanced technology and an effective support system, SMEs not only make significant progress but also contribute to the government's initiatives like Digital India and Make in India.