Across all industries, migration to the cloud is at an all-time high.
In Europe, about 46 per cent of companies use cloud computing technologies and services extensively, with the UK, France, and the Czech Republic emerging as the top markets.
In the Netherlands, cloud adoption is slightly below the European average. However, cloud usage in the region is expected to rise steeply over the next few years, as local organisations start to plan for digital transformation (DX) and even run pilot projects.
Here’s a snapshot of the Dutch cloud market, and how the cloud supports the DX of enterprises across the Netherlands.
The Top Benefits of the Cloud in DX
In a recent report by IDC, over 200 Dutch organisations were asked to identify the top benefits that the cloud plays in DX. According to the survey, the top three benefits were: better security, flexible and reliable IT infrastructure, and shortened timelines to build out and test new ideas.
Security was not always a top benefit of the cloud. In fact, for many years, security was one of the main concerns that organisations had about switching over to the cloud. However, this thinking is now outdated, as cloud technologies have developed strong security capabilities, as well as end-to-end data encryption and robust access controls.
On the flip side, flexibility has been a longstanding benefit of the cloud, especially when it comes to managing Big Data. How does the cloud support Big Data?
Big Data and the Cloud
Big Data projects require a large amount of computing and networking infrastructure. Before cloud technology, the initial financial investment in servers, storage, and dedicated networks was a costly endeavour, and required technical know-how in order to set up. These demands kept Big Data limited to only the largest and best-funded organisations.
However, cloud computing is turning this on its head, and creating strong inroads for all.
This is because the cloud has resources and services that a business can use on-demand, meaning that the business doesn’t have to build, own or maintain the infrastructure – making Big Data technologies accessible and affordable to almost any size of enterprise. And the benefits don’t end there:
• Agility – not all Big Data projects are the same. While one project may require 100 servers, another might demand 2,000. Using the cloud, users can employ as many resources as needed to accomplish a task and then release them when it’s complete, rather than being compelled to purchase expensive technology that might only be required once.
• Cost – a business data centre doesn’t just require hardware. Businesses must also pay for facilities, power, ongoing maintenance, and more. The cloud encompasses all those costs into a flexible rental model where resources and services are available on demand and businesses can follow a pay-per-use model.
What’s on the Horizon for the Dutch Cloud Market?
As the Dutch market accelerates down its DX path, revenue in the Netherlands’ public cloud market is projected to experience a substantial surge, and reach US$7.29bn in 2023.
With this, we’re expecting to see businesses beginning to harness the power of the cloud in their pursuit of Big Data technologies and reap the host of benefits it brings in the form of security efficiency and cost saving.
To keep up with these shifts in technologies and cloud approaches, a pipeline of expert data professionals who are experienced with both hardware and software solutions will be required. These individuals need to be confident in pushing innovation in the Dutch market as it catches up with its European counterparts.
If you are interested in pursuing a data career in the Netherlands or are planning to expand your team, this is an ideal time to explore your options. Harnham is opening an office in Amsterdam and will be on the ground for face-to-face consultations. Get in touch with Ross Henderson to book a meeting.