The “2025 Cloud State Report”, prepared by Rackspace, highlights how cloud technologies are revolutionizing business innovation and strengthening operational resilience, especially with the integration of artificial intelligence (AI). This analysis provides an overview of how companies are adapting their strategies to optimize performance, ensure regulatory compliance, and meet the growing demands for scalability.
Evolving Cloud Strategies
- Diversity in Solutions: Companies are increasingly opting for hybrid (17%), multicloud (16%), private cloud (27%), and public cloud (19%) approaches. Hybrid cloud is gaining prominence for its ability to integrate distributed workloads.
- Future Plans:
- 24% aim to accelerate public cloud adoption.
- 22% plan to expand their hybrid capabilities.
- 20% will increase their investments in private cloud environments.
- Workload Repatriation: 69% of respondents have considered moving workloads back to private or on-premises environments due to concerns about costs, integration, and security.
AI and the Cloud: A Transformative Duo
- Growing Integration: 84% of companies use AI in their cloud strategies to optimize performance, enhance data analysis, and bolster security.
- Leadership in Adoption:
- 37% employ AI to optimize their cloud environments.
- 52% use AI for advanced threat detection.
Key Challenges
- Lack of Talent: 40% cite the shortage of skilled cloud professionals as a key barrier.
- Security and Compliance: 50% view governance and risk management as top concerns.
- Cost Management: Companies seek to balance innovation with tight budgets.
Performance Trends
- Positive Results: 37% of companies report that their cloud environments exceed expectations, thanks to scalability and improved security.
- Advantage of Cloud Leaders: Organizations with greater strategic adoption excel by integrating their cloud strategies with business objectives, achieving greater flexibility, operational efficiency, and cost predictability.
Adoption Trends
- Dominance of Major Providers: AWS leads the market with a 25% share, followed by Microsoft Azure (22%) and Google Cloud (20%).
- Future Innovations:
- Cloud-enabled services and 5G (50% adoption intention).
- Native cloud AI and machine learning (47%).
Recommendations for Businesses
- Prioritize Hybrid Solutions:
- Leverage hybrid cloud to ensure scalability and security.
- Implement AI Effectively:
- Use AI to optimize the cloud and improve operational processes.
- Close the Talent Gap:
- Invest in training programs and collaborate with managed service providers.
- Adopt Cloud Management Tools:
- Utilize platforms that simplify operations, reduce costs, and improve integration.
Role of Rackspace
Rackspace stands out as a strategic ally due to its expertise in hybrid and multicloud environments, as well as its AI-based solutions. Among its main services are:
- Modernization strategies tailored to workload needs.
- AI-driven Target Operating Model (ATOM) for scalable solutions.
- Managed services that help control costs and enhance security.
This report underscores the transformative impact of cloud and AI in the business landscape, highlighting the need for strategic and integrated approaches to remain competitive in an ever-evolving digital environment.
Access the report: Rackspace