Since the inception of the federal Cloud First policy in 2011, the embrace of cloud services by government agencies has soared. This surge has been amplified by the resounding affirmation of the federal commitment to the cloud via the 2018 Cloud Smart Strategy. By 2020, the cloud’s influence had taken root in over 75% of federal agencies, culminating in a staggering $8 billion investment in cloud services and solutions by 2022.
Recent insights from a 2022 federal agency IT leaders survey echo this resolute march toward the cloud. Two-thirds of the executives surveyed say that their agency has (or is beginning to) migrate critical applications to the cloud. As this progression continues, it becomes increasingly important to talk about the value of the cloud-native approach to developing applications for the cloud. It’s not just a trend; it’s a new way of thinking about building and running applications.
So, what exactly is cloud-native?
Well, imagine building software applications that are born to thrive in the cloud. Unlike the old-school approach of retrofitting applications to fit cloud environments, cloud-native is about crafting applications from scratch with the cloud in mind. Think of it as a tailored suit perfectly designed for the cloud’s capabilities.
One of the coolest things about cloud-native is its knack for scalability. Cloud-native applications can gracefully scale up or down based on demand. This means applications stay nimble and cost-effective, whether there’s a sudden surge in users or a lull in activity. It’s like having an elastic band that stretches just enough.
And there’s more… Cloud-native applications are built for resilience. They’re equipped with safety nets like redundancy and automated failover systems. So even if there’s a hiccup, the show goes on. This translates to increased reliability and better user experiences. Coupled with this resilience is flexibility. Cloud-native applications are designed to run across various cloud providers, allowing agencies to choose the best environment for their needs.
It is a dance of agility. Cloud-native applications are like performers on a flexible stage. The microservices architecture they’re built upon allows for swift development, deployment, and updates. Imagine a ballet that can adapt its routine on the fly – that’s the agility cloud-native brings to the table.
Sounds great, but what will it cost?
Let’s talk numbers. Cloud-native is all about optimizing costs. By smartly using cloud resources and only paying for what’s used, organizations can cut down on infrastructure expenses. It’s like turning off the lights in empty rooms – you only pay for the energy you use.
Traditional computing models often involve maintaining and powering extensive infrastructures, regardless of whether they are fully utilized. Just as leaving lights on in empty rooms racks up unnecessary electricity bills, these underutilized resources become a financial burden. Enter cloud-native – a dynamic approach to how organizations manage their resources.
Cloud-native operates on the pay-as-you-go principle, aligning costs precisely with consumption. This means that organizations only pay for the resources they use, ensuring that financial investments are proportional to the workload. This intelligent allocation saves costs and promotes resource efficiency, creating an ecosystem where every computational task contributes directly to value creation.
So, what does this all mean for the future?
A lot! Cloud-native is a glimpse into the future of technology. By embracing cloud-native principles, we’re opening doors to accelerated innovation. Applications become agile and adaptable, which is crucial in our ever-changing digital landscape. Let’s be clear, as with any approach or technology, cloud-native does not come without its own set of challenges. However, we will discuss those in more detail in another article. Additionally, the challenges do not negate the value of the cloud-native approach.
And guess what? Cloud-native isn’t just about tech. It’s about value. It means optimizing resources, ensuring reliability, and creating personalized user experiences. It’s like giving your users a VIP treatment tailored just for them. In a nutshell, cloud-native is a paradigm shift. As technology evolves, embracing cloud-native principles provides the tools to build a future that’s responsive, efficient, and built for innovation. And here is the fun part – the journey has just begun!
Vidoori specializes in cloud-native architecture and development and has led informative sessions informing federal agencies on incorporating cloud-native principles as part of their overall cloud strategy. For more information on Vidoori’s cloud-native services, email [email protected].
*Article Source for Federal Survey Statistics: Fedscoop research paper