Highlights from CloudFest 2024 You Need to Know: AI Challenge for Data Centers and Growing Interest to Open Source
Beyond recap: Sardina Systems analyzes the recent CloudFest and identifies key trends and challenges that are affecting the industry and reshaping the market.
Celebrating its 20th anniversary, CloudFest 2024 united over 11,000 participants from across Europe and the globe. This massive, four-day event served as a platform for industry professionals to share knowledge and network. More importantly, it offered a unique opportunity to gain valuable insights into the current state and future direction of the cloud industry.
Open Source Gains Traction: AlmaLinux Day and Sardina Systems’ Experience
The first day of CloudFest focused on AlmaLinux, an open source operating system. It attracted a large audience of technical professionals and experts, which demonstrates the growing demand for open source cloud solutions.
Notably, Sardina Systems’ FishOS cloud management software is built on AlmaLinux, so we could not have missed this event. Dr. Kenneth Tan, Sardina Systems’ Executive Director, participated in a panel discussion and shared the company’s experience and reasons for choosing AlmaLinux. He emphasized the critical role of stability and reliability in cloud infrastructure:
“Alternatives may offer different advantages, but stability and reliability must be non-negotiable when migrating your core infrastructure to the cloud. You wouldn’t gamble with your foundation for fancy features, right? FishOS successfully delivers on these essential criteria, and AlmaLinux as our foundation plays an important role in that.”
Kenneth Tan, Executive Director, Sardina Systems
Three Key Topics Shaping the Cloud Ecosystem
With over 250 speakers, CloudFest 2024 covered a broad spectrum of topics relevant to the European and global cloud community. Here are the most impactful ones:
1. The VMware Acquisition by Broadcom: Re-evaluating Long-Term Strategies
While the initial shock of the acquisition may have faded, concerns about rising costs and product instability persist. Incidentally, quite a few participants revealed plans to include migration to their long-term strategies.
For those facing similar challenges, Sardina Systems offers an exclusive, 1-euro migration option from VMware to FishOS. Our customers typically report at least 50% savings on their cloud budgets, along with freedom from vendor lock-in and ongoing resource optimization.
2. The AI Revolution: Reshaping the Data Center Landscape
Unsurprisingly, AI was a major talking point at CloudFest 2024, with speakers sharing use cases and integration strategies. However, this year put a new potential challenge for data centers. As interest in AI projects grows, hardware demands for advanced cooling systems and expensive GPUs are also increasing. This poses a significant challenge for smaller, lower-budget hosting companies, threatening their ability to compete.
3. Economic Pressures Change Cloud User Priorities
The economic climate in Europe and the world is presenting another challenge for the cloud industry. As economic turbulence intensifies, businesses are increasingly prioritizing cost savings above all else. Notably, CloudFest participants emphasized a shift in focus towards solutions that offer services beyond the product itself — which would allow them to reduce administrative and time burdens for their teams. In addition, consistent and reliable technical support is becoming increasingly important.
This trend also explains the growing interest in open source solutions, which offer significant cost savings compared to proprietary options or hyperscalers.
Conclusion: A Look Towards Stability, Innovation, and Adaptability
CloudFest 2024 provided valuable insights into the current and future state of the global cloud industry. While innovation is constant, the demand for comprehensive, reliable, and cost-saving cloud solutions will continue to grow. The unstoppable rise of AI will further shape the market landscape. Solution providers that can strike a balance between innovative hardware and cost-efficiency will be best positioned for success.
Sardina Systems, with its commitment to reliability, cost-savings, and decades of expertise in open-source-based solutions, is well-equipped to help businesses thrive. Don’t miss your chance to get the same for yourself by scheduling a free consultation with our expert team.
