A few weeks ago, Gartner shared its list of top 10 technology trends for 2014, including among its expectations one entitled: “Hybrid cloud and IT as Service Broker.” This prediction speaks to what Gartner views as the necessity of the hybrid cloud – a mix of private cloud combined with external public cloud services – along with the role of IT evolving to include that of Cloud Service Broker.
The notion of IT serving as Cloud Service Broker means IT going beyond its traditional services to making strategic decisions on cloud adoption, particularly as cloud-bursting (outgrowing private cloud) becomes necessary for more enterprises. IT departments will be leading the customization and integration of their enterprise’s cloud expansion, regardless of where a cloud application resides.