In 2015, decreased vendor bias will make the cloud more affordable, regional cloud providers will play an active role in cloud adoption strategies, and fears over data security will continue to decrease. This is all according to Lief Morin, President of Key Information Systems, Inc., a systems integrator with compute, storage and networking solutions and services for software-defined data centers.

Morin’s predictions about enterprise cloud are all part of our second annual Technology Predictions series in which industry experts share their predictions with us about the hot tech trends that they think will take center stage in 2015. We’ll be sharing all of their predictions with you over the next couple of days. Read on for more from Morin.

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The cloud, once hyped as the latest technology trend, is now considered an essential IT system component. Rather than cloud adoption being an “if” conversation, it has shifted to a matter of when and how. Despite its ubiquity and availability, successful cloud adoption still relies on effective migration strategies. To that end, cloud experts and regional cloud providers have become more important than ever to both the successful adoption of and the ongoing management of cloud operations. Strategic cloud providers are important and we will see this trend continue in 2015 in the following ways.

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Prediction 1: Decreased vendor bias will make cloud more affordable

In 2015, more companies will contemplate the transition to the cloud, which will become easier and more affordable to do than ever before. As more data centers become heterogeneous rather than aligning with one vendor, the cost of cloud computing will continue to decrease. Previously costly, cloud-based operations—such as Disaster Recovery-as-a-Service (DRaaS)—will become more affordable and available to enterprises that couldn’t previously justify these services. Cloud providers will play a vital role in assisting enterprises in determining the most affordable and logical step to a cloud transition.

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Prediction No. 2: “All public cloud, all the time” will not become the norm

While public cloud technology may offer many benefits in terms of cost and accessibility for specific work loads, it is not the be-all and end-all solution. In addition, there are many work loads and applications that are more appropriate for an on-premises deployment to satisfy regulatory requirements or to meet a specific technology objective. Working with a hybrid cloud provider to create a comprehensive cloud strategy will be imperative to the success of integrating those services in the enterprise.

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Prediction No. 3: Hybrid cloud popularity will drive the involvement of cloud providers

The hybrid cloud architecture is and will continue to be a fast-growing strategy that offers the benefits of cloud computing along with the best values of on-premises operations. When determining the right mix of cloud services and on-premises technology, businesses will need the guidance of cloud providers that are knowledgeable about the options and capabilities of both environments.

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Prediction No. 4: Regional cloud providers will play an active role in cloud adoption strategies

Many enterprises attempt off-the-cuff hybrid cloud deployments and they quickly learn that, without the proper strategic planning, cloud adoption can be more complicated than they initially thought. This situation is where regional cloud providers will step in to lead the charge. Not only will cloud providers ensure a smoother migration through strategic transition planning, they will also be devoted to the client’s technology strategy well beyond an initial implementation and will ensure a positive, long-term hybrid cloud experience.

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Prediction No. 5: Fears over data security and proximity will continue to decrease

Many enterprises hesitate to adopt the cloud out of fear that physical separation from their data makes them vulnerable. Moreover, increased security threats (whether real or perceived) can contribute to hesitation about cloud adoption. Regional cloud providers and the adoption of a hybrid cloud strategy will help to address and eliminate enterprises’ concerns over both data location and security.

The hybrid cloud model will become the de facto standard in 2015, a year in which more and more organizations will seek reliable cloud computing options. 2015 will be a great year for regional cloud providers and partners who can help guide businesses through this technology revolution to realize the benefits of a hybrid cloud strategy.

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2015 Technology Predictions graphic courtesy of SiliconANGLE