Data Backup Digest

Microsoft's proprietary hybrid cloud platform, known as Windows Azure, is highly regarded amongst the leading products in cloud computing today. While the widespread adaptation of Azure continues throughout the United States, IT professionals from all over the globe are starting to take notice. In fact, some might be surprised to find out that cloud computing is already commonplace in many other countries, including India.

International Adaptation

While Windows Azure is used in many other countries, the popular cloud platform already has over 15,000 users in India alone. Moreover, with the addition of more than 2,000 new clients every single month, Microsoft Windows Azure is currently enjoying a growth rate of 300% within the country.

“It is no longer in nascent stage," said Srikanth Karnakota, director of server and cloud business for Microsoft. "Adoption of cloud started with Private cloud model and the growth has been phenomenal."

Karnakota continued by describing current cloud usage in India, stating that 70% of cloud use is based in private hosting, while only 30% of cloud computing is done within a public environment. He was quick to point out, however, that an increasing number of companies are beginning to embrace the public cloud infrastructure.

“Companies opted for private cloud because of security concerns." He said in an interview. "But that is changing. No longer are people worried about security on public cloud. Companies are adopting it and they are looking at what applications can be put on public cloud. The savings there are phenomenal.”

Hybrid Cloud Computing in India

Despite Srikanth Karnakota's faith in the growth of public cloud usage within India, he also noted that hybrid cloud computing is the way of the future. He cited hesitation on behalf of some enterprises and companies based in India, as well as the need for onsite data storage and security.

“Companies are not entirely moving to public cloud." Karnakota said. "They still want some apps running in-house, but private cloud alone will not grow. That is why the trend is hybrid. In the next two years everything will be on hybrid.”

Hybrid cloud architecture is a rather new concept, but it is one that is quickly gaining steam in the world of cloud computing. The biggest advantage of the hybrid cloud model is that it allows you to utilize onsite applications and data storage methods, while still providing unmitigated access to applications and tools that are located on the public cloud infrastructure.

The future of India's cloud computing infrastructure, including public clouds, private clouds and hybrid cloud architecture, is still uncertain. While it is safe to assume that hybrid clouds will gain popularity as data security increased within the country, nobody can say for certain how long this will take. Moreover, it is still uncertain whether or not enterprises will embrace the hybrid cloud in the same manner as private cloud servers, even as their concerns are put at ease. Regardless of which technology they choose, it is safe to say that India certainly ranks amongst one of the earliest adopters of cloud technology.