The 5 cloud trends in 2024 for SMEs
In 2024, cloud computing opens up new prospects for small businesses and SMEs. These trends don't just signal technological developments; they offer concrete opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses.
1. The Emergence of the Citizen Developer
Rethinking application development in SMEs
What is a Citizen Developer?
The term “citizen developer” refers to non-programming employees who use low-code or no-code development platforms to create applications.
This approach democratizes application development, allowing greater participation in digital innovation and increased responsiveness to business needs.
Opportunities for SMEs
For SMEs, this trend paves the way for rapid and economical innovation. Low-code/no-code tools reduce the barrier to entry for creating applications, allowing employees to develop customized solutions that meet specific business needs.
Examples and Use Cases
For example, an HR manager in an SME can create a leave management application, simplifying the application and approval process.
A sales manager could develop an application for tracking customer interactions, providing better visibility into customer relationships and making it easier to track sales opportunities.
2. Advances in AI/ML
Transforming the cloud with artificial intelligence
Impacts of AI/ML on the Cloud
Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are transforming the cloud into a tool for advanced data analysis and intelligent automation.
These technologies allow large amounts of data to be processed and interpreted, offering valuable insights and the ability to automate complex processes.
Opportunities for SMEs
For SMEs, AI and ML offer the opportunity to improve operational efficiency, optimize marketing and sales strategies, and provide improved customer service.
By using AI, SMEs can analyze market trends, predict customer needs, and automate routine tasks.
Examples and Use Cases
AI chatbots can be used to provide 24/7 customer support, while predictive analytics tools based on ML can help identify market opportunities and anticipate consumer trends.
An SME could also use AI to automate internal processes, such as inventory management or resource planning.
3. Automation in the Cloud
Increase efficiency and reduce risks
Importance of Automation
Automation in the cloud offers SMEs the opportunity to streamline operations, reduce costs, and improve the quality of their service.
By automating repetitive tasks and optimizing processes, SMEs can focus on value-added activities.
Opportunities for SMEs
Automation in the cloud allows SMEs to effectively manage tasks such as invoicing, order management, and logistics.
This leads to a reduction in human errors, improved operational efficiency, and better allocation of resources.
Examples and Use Cases
An SME can automate its order process, from order receipt to delivery, by integrating a cloud-based order management system.
Likewise, automating supply chain management processes can help optimize inventory and reduce delivery times.
4. Continued Data Investment
Managing data at scale
Evolution of Data Storage and Analysis
The cloud allows for more efficient management of large amounts of data, offering scalable storage capacities and powerful analytics tools.
This evolution is crucial for SMEs looking to take advantage of data to make informed decisions.
Opportunities for SMEs
SMEs can use cloud-based data analysis tools to gain real-time insights, improving decision-making in areas such as marketing, sales, and operations management.
Examples and Use Cases
For example, an SME can use data analytics to understand customer buying habits and personalize marketing offers.
Sales data analysis can also help optimize pricing strategies and identify new market opportunities.
5. Competition between Cloud Providers
Navigating a competitive market
Competition and Supplier Choice
Increased competition between cloud providers benefits SMEs by offering more choices and more competitive prices.
This trend is driving providers to constantly innovate, improve the quality of their services, and offer solutions that are more suited to the needs of small businesses.
Opportunities for SMEs
SMEs can take advantage of this competition to choose cloud solutions that offer the best value for money, meeting their specific functionality, security, and support requirements.
Hybrid Cloud: A Flexible Solution for SMEs
With the emergence of competition between cloud providers, a notable trend is the increasing adoption of hybrid cloud by SMEs. The hybrid cloud combines the advantages of the private cloud (security, control) and the public cloud (scalability, cost-effectiveness), offering a flexible and customizable solution.
SMEs can benefit from this hybrid approach by choosing the aspects of the public and private cloud that are best suited to their specific needs.
This allows for better management of sensitive data while taking advantage of the scalability and profitability of the public cloud for other aspects of their business.
Examples and Use Cases
An SME can evaluate offerings from different providers to choose a cloud computing solution that offers the best combination of features, security, and cost.
Selecting an appropriate supplier may also depend on specific business needs, such as regulatory compliance, integration with existing systems, or technical support.
In 2024, cloud computing offers SMEs and SMEs remarkable opportunities to improve their operations, innovate and remain competitive. These five trends offer insight into what the future holds, and how SMEs can take advantage of them to accelerate growth.
Feekr already supports several customers, large groups as well as SMEs, on cloud topics.
If you want to benefit from our expertise and be accompanied in your cloud journey, do not hesitate to contact us.
