Report: Pandemic Investment in Cloud Infrastructure Will Have Lasting Impact

According to a new analysis, one of the “lasting impacts” of COVID-19 will be an increased reliance on cloud infrastructure in education and a few other sectors.

The report from market research firm International Data Corp. (IDC) stated that worldwide growth of cloud-based enterprise infrastructure grew at a greater rate than non-cloud — 12.5 percent versus 6.3 percent in the first quarter of 2021 compared with the same period in 2020. Cloud infrastructure reached $15.1 billion, versus $13.5 billion for non-cloud in Q1.

Cloud includes shared and dedicated. Investments in shared cloud infrastructure increased 11.6 percent year over year, reaching $10.3 billion. Spending on dedicated cloud infrastructure increased 14.7 percent in the same period, reaching $4.8 billion. According to the report, 45.5 percent of dedicated cloud infrastructure was deployed on premises.

Education is one of the sectors that will feel a lasting impact from COVID-19 on cloud enterprise infrastructure, the report noted: “A lasting impact on IT infrastructure will be an increased reliance on cloud platforms for delivering commercial, educational, and social applications, as well as an intensified focus among organizations on business continuity and risk management, helping to drive digital transformation initiatives and increase usage of as-a-service delivery models.”

The United States saw some of the slowest growth in cloud infrastructure in the first quarter, increasing 4.5 percent. Canada saw the greatest growth (40.3 percent), followed by China (35 percent).

For more information, visit IDC’s Worldwide Quarterly Enterprise Infrastructure Tracker: Buyer and Cloud Deployment.

About the Author

David Nagel is the former editorial director of 1105 Media's Education Group and editor-in-chief of THE Journal, STEAM Universe, and Spaces4Learning. A 30-year publishing veteran, Nagel has led or contributed to dozens of technology, art, marketing, media, and business publications.

He can be reached at [email protected]. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidrnagel/ .


Featured

  • glowing digital brain above a chessboard with data charts and flowcharts

    Why AI Strategy Matters (and Why Not Having One Is Risky)

    If your institution hasn't started developing an AI strategy, you are likely putting yourself and your stakeholders at risk, particularly when it comes to ethical use, responsible pedagogical and data practices, and innovative exploration.

  • laptop screen with a video play icon, surrounded by parts of notebooks, pens, and a water bottle on a student desk

    New AI Tool Generates Video Explanations Based on Course Materials

    AI-powered studying and learning platform Studyfetch has launched Imagine Explainers, a new video creator that utilizes artificial intelligence to generate 10- to 60-minute explainer videos for any topic.

  • cloud and circuit patterns with AI stamp

    Cloud Management Startup Launches Infrastructure Intelligence Tool

    A new AI-powered infrastructure intelligence tool from cloud management startup env0 aims to turn the fog of sprawling, enterprise-scale deployments into crisp, queryable insight, minus the spreadsheets, scripts, and late-night Slack threads.

  • Stylized illustration showing cybersecurity elements like shields, padlocks, and secure cloud icons on a neutral, minimalist digital background

    Microsoft Announces Security Advancements

    Microsoft has announced major security advancements across its product portfolio and practices. The work is part of its Secure Future Initiative (SFI), a multiyear cybersecurity transformation the company calls the largest engineering project in company history.