Cloud Computing 2.0 is Revolutionizing Digital Transformation Across Industries: Salesforce

In this exclusive interview with Deepak Pargaonkar, Vice President, Solution Engineering at Salesforce, we delve into the transformative power of Cloud Computing 2.0 and its profound impact on the technology landscape. In this conversation with Amit Singh, he details how organizations are leveraging the cloud to effectively manage big data, critical applications, and advanced capabilities like artificial intelligence (AI). He also shares valuable insights into the role of Cloud Computing 2.0 in driving digital transformation efforts across various industries.

How do you see Cloud Computing 2.0 shaping the overall technology landscape and digital transformation efforts across the industry? How has this technology evolved over the last few years?
Cloud computing has undergone a remarkable transformation over the years. Initially, organizations began leveraging the cloud as infrastructure for their business applications and data. For instance, companies adopted the cloud for sales automation and customer service back in 1999. However, today, cloud computing has expanded to encompass much more. It now handles massive amounts of big data, critical applications, and offers platform-as-a-service capabilities.

With Cloud 2.0, organizations can now perform data analysis, apply artificial intelligence, and develop advanced applications on the cloud. This evolution has made cloud computing not only essential for business capabilities but also for critical applications, data analysis, decision-making, and AI integration. The technology has significantly improved computing capabilities, data management, and ease of adoption, leading to its widespread utilization across industries.

Can you provide insights into the specific use cases and industry applications where Cloud Computing 2.0 technologies such as serverless computing, edge computing, and AI integration are making the most significant impact?
Certainly! Let me provide some use cases to illustrate the impact of Cloud Computing 2.0. Many organizations use Salesforce automation and customer service capabilities deployed on the cloud. These organizations now want to leverage AI to gain insights from the data within their sales, service, and marketing applications. For example, salespeople can benefit from AI-driven insights on customer behavior, recommendations for cross-selling, and optimized time management for meetings. Similarly, in customer service, AI-powered chatbots enable 24/7 support, personalized interactions, and intelligent routing of customer queries, enhancing productivity.

These are just a few examples of how organizations are leveraging AI capabilities provided by cloud service providers like Salesforce to deliver valuable insights and exceptional customer experiences.

While adopting and integrating Cloud Computing 2.0 solutions, what challenges might businesses across industries face?
Despite the immense benefits and possibilities of Cloud Computing 2.0, organizations may encounter certain challenges. Security is a significant concern, especially for mission-critical applications and compliance with industry-specific regulations. Organizations must ensure data residency, privacy, and secure data management, particularly in sectors with strict compliance requirements. Additionally, the rapid pace of AI and other emerging technologies demands continuous learning and upskilling of employees to effectively build and leverage these capabilities. Organizations must also navigate the complexities of edge computing and empower their workforce with digital literacy to fully realize the advantages of Cloud Computing 2.0.

At Salesforce, we address these challenges through initiatives like Trailhead, a free learning platform where individuals can acquire skills in various technologies, including AI. Such capabilities aid organizations in achieving security, compliance, and employee skill-building goals.

How does Cloud Computing 2.0 influence the development and deployment of cloud-native applications and architecture, and what advantages does it offer to organizations?
Cloud Computing 2.0 has revolutionized the development and deployment of cloud-native applications and architectures. With the advent of containerization and microservices, organizations can build applications that are modular, scalable, and easily deployable on the cloud. Cloud-native architectures leverage the capabilities of the cloud, such as auto-scaling, load balancing, and managed services, to ensure high availability, fault tolerance, and efficient resource utilization.

By adopting cloud-native approaches, organizations can accelerate their development cycles, achieve faster time-to-market, and scale their applications seamlessly to meet evolving business needs. Cloud-native architectures also enable organizations to leverage advanced technologies like AI and machine learning (ML) through pre-built cloud services and APIs. This empowers businesses to deliver innovative, data-driven applications and services without investing significant resources in infrastructure and development.

What are the security considerations and best practices should businesses in various sectors keep in mind while implementing cloud computing 2.0 solutions?
When we consider different sectors and the advent of cloud computing 2.0, it becomes crucial for organizations to be mindful of specific compliances and regulatory requirements. These requirements may include data residency and the management of data. Organizations must be well-informed about these aspects as they embark on their cloud computing journey. One key consideration is data residency, which is especially relevant in guidelines such as GDPR. Organizations need to determine whether they should retain customer data, even when they are no longer engaged in business with the customer. This is commonly known as the “right to forget.” Cloud service providers offer solutions to address such requirements. Additionally, organizations need to address security concerns, including access controls for data and ensuring the security of consumer data in transit. Our solution provides capabilities such as the Privacy Center, which allows organizations to mask data and effectively manage data in transit. These considerations and best practices should be integral to organizations’ implementation of cloud computing 2.0 solutions, safeguarding their compliance and security needs.

As Cloud Computing 2.0 continues to evolve, what future trends and advancements do you foresee in this domain?
Looking ahead, Cloud Computing 2.0 is likely to witness several trends and advancements. One significant trend is the increasing adoption of edge computing, where organizations process and analyze data closer to its source, reducing latency and enabling real-time decision-making. Edge computing is particularly relevant for applications requiring low latency, such as Internet of Things (IoT), autonomous vehicles, and augmented reality (AR)/virtual reality (VR).

Another trend is the continued integration of AI and ML capabilities within cloud platforms. Cloud service providers are investing heavily in AI-powered services and tools, making it easier for organizations to leverage AI without extensive expertise. This integration will enable businesses to extract valuable insights from their data, automate processes, and enhance customer experiences.

Furthermore, as data volumes continue to grow exponentially, we can expect advancements in cloud storage and data management technologies. Cloud providers will focus on delivering scalable, secure, and cost-effective solutions to handle massive datasets, enabling organizations to leverage big data analytics for strategic decision-making.

Overall, Cloud Computing 2.0 will continue to drive innovation, enhance digital transformation efforts, and unlock new possibilities for businesses across industries.