Intelligent CIO Middle East Issue 94 | Page 40

FEATURE : DATA STORAGE SYSTEMS
Many companies seek public cloud for flexibility , scalability , and agility , but data leaders have recognised cloud also has its share of drawbacks , explain executives from Cloudera , Cloud Box , NetApp , and VAST Data . empower enterprises to unlock new revenue streams through innovative products and services . Embracing these technological advancements positions businesses at the forefront of competitiveness , resilience , and sustainable growth ,” says Sajith Kumar , Senior Manager , Cloud Box Technologies .
AI driving innovation
The hybrid cloud is a de-facto standard for companies . Many companies seek public cloud for flexibility , scalability , and agility . But many data leaders have recognised that cloud also has its fair share of drawbacks , such as regional regulations and costs .

In the realms of infrastructure , a remarkable wave of innovation is reshaping the technological landscape . Advancements in cloud computing , edge computing , and 5G technology are driving efficient data management and real-time connectivity . Moreover , the rise of AI-driven analytics is enhancing predictive maintenance and optimising resource allocation .

Technological integration , data-driven decisionmaking , and a focus on environmental sustainability are driving these innovations . As traditional infrastructure evolves into interconnected , efficient , and adaptable systems , it paves the way for a future that embraces efficiency , connectivity , and resilience , ultimately redefining the way we live , work , and interact within our urban environments .
Enhanced operational efficiency , streamlined processes , and improved customer experiences are chief among them . Automation and AI-powered analytics enable data-driven decision-making , driving productivity and cost savings . Cloud computing and edge solutions offer scalability and flexibility , adapting to evolving demands .
“ Robust cybersecurity measures ensure data integrity and customer trust . Furthermore , these innovations
According to Cloudera ’ s recent study , 86 % of IT decision-makers in the Middle East are looking to move more data to the cloud over the next three years . However , 90 % plan to repatriate some data back to their own datacentres over the same period . Instead of the cloud first , we are now in the workload-first era .
“ Workload analytics can help determine if a workload is more suitable for an on-premises or public cloud environment ,” says Karim Azar , Regional Vice President , Middle East and Turkey , Cloudera .
By using artificial intelligence , companies seek business value from all their data . However , Generative AI and Large Language Models need the right context and are only as good as the data they ’ ve been trained on . For these models and AI to succeed , it must be trusted .
“ Trusting AI starts with trusting data . To achieve AI at scale and drive digital business transformation , businesses and public sector organisations must be able to use all of their data , whether it resides on the public cloud or in their own data centre ,” says Cloudera ’ s Azar .
Innovations in the data storage industry are being driven by the surge of AI adoption . With AI ’ s prevalence , there is an increasing demand for higher performance and scalability . The ability to extract insights from larger and more intricate datasets is

Cloud first or workload first ?

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