The Cloud Exodus 🧐🔥🏢

Understanding the Trend and Its Impact on Computing Happy Thursday, According to [Amazon itself](%2F%2Fwww.primevideotech.com%2Fvideo-streaming%2Fscaling-up-the-prime-video-audio-video-monitoring-service-and-reducing-costs-by-90%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_campaign=HT/1/01010187e706d3f9-9db06007-d3e5-4f42-b532-ddbcc9b24482-000000/Sfi0eJvfvv-k818wkOZOOCWzHvQ=321), Amazon is beginning to migrate some of its workloads away from Amazon Web Services (AWS) and onto its own internal infrastructure. This may appear surprising given that AWS controls more than a third of the cloud services market, but it reflects growing concerns about the high costs, security risks, and lack of control over data associated with public cloud services. Cloud computing has been a buzzword in the tech industry for years, but recent trends indicate that the tide is changing. Many organisations are weighing their options as costs, security concerns, and reliance on cloud providers continue to rise. For some, this means bringing their infrastructure back in-house or using physical data centres and colocation facilities. Others are looking for new and innovative ways to work with both the public cloud and private infrastructure. In this email, we will look at the trend away from the cloud, the benefits and drawbacks of alternative solutions, and what this could mean for the future of computing. Why the Shift Away From the Cloud is Happening The high costs, data ownership, and security threats of cloud services are the primary drivers behind the shift from cloud to in-house infrastructure. The cost of public cloud services is simply not sustainable for many businesses, and some are locked into contracts or fear being "locked in" by proprietary systems and services. In a [Forbes article](%2F%2Fwww.forbes.com%2Fsites%2Fjoemckendrick%2F2020%2F04%2F29%2Fone-third-of-cloud-spending-wasted-but-still-accelerates%2F%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_campaign=HT/1/01010187e706d3f9-9db06007-d3e5-4f42-b532-ddbcc9b24482-000000/Ngs4Tyvm6c16f-PVjCVv5Guy8ic=321), writer Joe McKendrick discusses how some companies are finding that the costs and complexities of the public cloud are outweighing its benefits. A similar sentiment can be found in the experiences of DevOps experts and toolmakers who have created tools like [Managed Ruby Stack (MRSK)](%2F%2Fgithub.com%2Fmrsked%2Fmrsk%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_campaign=HT/1/01010187e706d3f9-9db06007-d3e5-4f42-b532-ddbcc9b24482-000000/YP9KXkRoGjf-yCopN3UhCh3OusI=321), which simplify web deployments to bare metal and commercially agnostic cloud providers. Furthermore, in ["Cloud Exit Pays Off in Performance Too,"](%2F%2Fworld.hey.com%2Fdhh%2Fcloud-exit-pays-off-in-performance-too-4c53b697%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_campaign=HT/1/01010187e706d3f9-9db06007-d3e5-4f42-b532-ddbcc9b24482-000000/Mo8X0hE-RoQ9eNqqR-c05SLZPzY=321) David Heinemeier Hansson ([DHH](%2F%2Fworld.hey.com%2Fdhh%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_campaign=HT/1/01010187e706d3f9-9db06007-d3e5-4f42-b532-ddbcc9b24482-000000/bPZYFCLbMrWIGF-lZ1R_1xlX1Tg=321)) describes how he and his team transitioned from AWS to owned hardware, resulting in significant performance improvements. In the article "[Sovereign clouds](%2F%2Fworld.hey.com%2Fdhh%2Fsovereign-clouds-661eb5e4%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_campaign=HT/1/01010187e706d3f9-9db06007-d3e5-4f42-b532-ddbcc9b24482-000000/V3lLT2IHahr-N0KGgTIrmVD_uoY=321)", DHH proposes the term "sovereign clouds" as a counter to the centralized nature of public clouds and as a way for businesses to reclaim control over their digital assets. Even Kelsey Hightower argues (in 2020) that [monoliths may be a better option than microservices for some use cases](%2F%2Fchangelog.com%2Fposts%2Fmonoliths-are-the-future%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_campaign=HT/1/01010187e706d3f9-9db06007-d3e5-4f42-b532-ddbcc9b24482-000000/ZpPfYH5qEK8o0hS3Z1DVJM79sDo=321). It's worth noting that owning infrastructure is nothing new and has always worked fine. While the shift away from the cloud creates new challenges and opportunities for infrastructure ownership, it's important to note that owning servers, storage, or networking equipment is not a new concept. Taking matters into one's own hands, on the other hand, frequently necessitates the need for expertise, as well as additional personnel and infrastructure investment. As more businesses bring their infrastructure back in-house, they discover that they must learn how to manage their hardware and software. Exploring the Alternatives Building private clouds and utilising physical data centres or colocation facilities provide an alternative to public cloud services. While such alternatives provide greater control and flexibility over computing resources, they also necessitate significant investments. In an increasingly centralised world, it can appear that initial investments are out of reach. However, this short-term perspective overlooks the importance of owning one's infrastructure or digital assets. While it may be tempting for smaller firms to look to the cloud for cheaper and more straightforward infrastructure operations, there may be untold benefits to owning their own equipment and cloud. Take, for example, Basecamp's experience with shifting away from AWS, as well as DevOps' latest tooling to democratize the web economy. These examples illustrate that owning infrastructure is becoming more accessible and may very well be the right strategy for some. In addition, there are emerging tools that focus on empowering each and every developer to focus on their goals, projects, and tasks — not the environment, toolchain, or infrastructure. These tools provide developers with a cohesive platform, offering comprehensive support for running, building, and testing applications while also improving productivity by automating setup and management. With advanced security features, such tools ensure that the intellectual property of developers remains safe and secure. As a result, these platforms may become increasingly popular for developers seeking to streamline their workflow and increase productivity. Embracing the Future of Computing The shift away from cloud computing is not just about owning infrastructure or building private clouds; it's about taking back control and creating systems that are more secure, efficient, and flexible. As the digital age continues to evolve, it's important that businesses think about how they can be resilient and adapt to changes quickly. While the cloud provides some advantages when it comes to scaling and reliability, it's important to weigh the risks and make decisions based on the needs of your organization. Cloud computing is not the only answer, and the shift away from the cloud reflects a renewed interest in having control and the ability to fully own and manage infrastructure. The democratization of software engineering, DevOps, and tooling offer support while businesses and individuals frame their approach to infrastructure ownership. Ultimately, it's important to think seriously about one's infrastructure ownership, whether it's in a public cloud, private cloud, physical infrastructure, or some combination of these. The future of computing is more comprehensive and fluid than ever, and it will continue to adapt and evolve as technology advances. Or is this just a part of the cycle? While it may appear counterintuitive, the move away from cloud computing reflects a growing trend towards greater control and ownership of computing resources. For many businesses, this means bringing infrastructure back in-house or utilising physical data centres. The democratisation of web app deployment and web app instrumentation allows for easier and more cost-effective infrastructure management. As with most technological trends, the shift away from cloud computing will continue to evolve, presenting new challenges, opportunities, and innovations. It is critical that businesses and individuals maintain a creative, adaptable, and knowledgeable infrastructure ownership strategy, aware of its unique benefits and challenges. Au revoir, and may your code shine, Niko P.S. This is a hot topic, and I am fully expecting emails from you!!! Let them pour in. :-) How would you rate this email? 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