Cloud Computing vs Fog Computing - Which is the Future of Business Technology?
Are you considering moving your data to the cloud? Or are you wondering what other alternatives there are? Perhaps, you have heard about the latest buzzword in the computing world, fog computing. Fog computing has become increasingly popular among businesses in recent years. It is referred to as the extension of cloud computing, bringing computation and storage closer to the source of the data. But, what exactly is fog computing? And how does it compare to cloud computing?
Cloud Computing
Cloud computing has been around long enough for most people to understand its main concept. It refers to storing and accessing data and programs over the internet instead of computer hard drives or local servers. Cloud technology eliminates the need for businesses to manage their hardware infrastructure, resulting in cost savings, scalability, and flexibility.
Since cloud computing enables businesses to access their data and applications from anywhere, it has become the go-to option for organizations worldwide. In a report published by Gartner, the public cloud services market is expected to grow by 23.1% in 2021, amounting to $332.3 billion.
Fog Computing
In contrast to cloud computing, fog computing is designed to bring computation closer to the edge of the network, where data is generated (e.g., IoT devices, wearables, etc.). This enables more efficient processing and analysis of data since it will not have to travel long distances to be processed. Fog computing allows businesses to reduce their dependence on cloud providers while increasing the efficiency of their operations.
According to a MarketsandMarkets report, the fog computing market size is expected to grow from $22.8 billion in 2020 to $92.4 billion by 2025, at a CAGR of 32.2%. This growth in fog computing is mainly attributed to the upsurge of IoT devices and the demand for real-time computing for IoT applications.
Which One is the Future of Business Technology?
So, which option is better for businesses? Well, it all boils down to the specific needs of a business. If the scalability and flexibility that come with cloud computing are at the forefront of a company's agenda, then cloud computing might be the best option. However, if your business has a lot of IoT devices that need to analyze data in real-time, then fog computing could be the more suitable option.
Despite being a relatively new concept, fog computing is becoming an increasingly popular option for businesses worldwide. According to IDC, fog computing is expected to be adopted by 20% of all businesses worldwide by 2022.
In conclusion, both cloud computing and fog computing have distinct features that could benefit different companies. Whether it is the scalability and flexibility of cloud computing or the real-time data analysis of fog computing, businesses should weigh their options carefully.