“In the cloud” is more now than just a phrase that describes a feeling. Although the cloud began as a vision, over the past decade it has become an integral part of everyday business decisions, even being evaluated for an enterprise’s most critical high-value operations. Thanks to the public cloud, many startups find it quick and easy to set up their initial operation and product-development cycles. Some, such as Uber and Airbnb, even go to market entirely in the cloud.

Like most other technologies, however, the cloud is evolving. According to the new Worldwide Semiannual Public Cloud Services Spending Guide from the IDC, worldwide spending on public-cloud services will grow at a 19.4% compound annual growth rate (CAGR)—almost six times the rate of overall IT-spending growth—from nearly $70 billion in 2015 to more than $141 billion in 2019. One size doesn’t fit all, and some business models and workflows are better suited to a private-cloud environment. Cost/benefit and risk analysis are a crucial component of all business decisions. The cloud is no exception, so we’re on a journey to a hybrid cloud.

Read more: http://www.datacenterjournal.com/journey-hybrid-cloud/