With only around 20% of workloads now in a cloud environment, the next 80% of cloud opportunity lies in shifting core business applications and workloads to the cloud, according to a report by the IBM Institute for Business Value. The report says the next chapter of the cloud will focus on shifting core business applications and workloads to the cloud and optimising everything from supply chains to sales. This chapter will be underpinned by hybrid multicloud platforms and capabilities, it says.

Key drivers for local cloud adoption include business requiring more speed and agility from IT, the need to modernise and replatform, and the functionality or services that are found only in cloud offerings.