2025 Trends to Watch: Cloud Computing

Roy Illsley

Chief Analyst, IT Operations

Roy’s key areas of research include cloud computing, cloud-native technologies, IT strategy, IT operational management, and data center technologies. He also advises on quantum computing, automation, virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), and workspaces. Roy uses his extensive experience combined with Omdia’s surveys and market data to understand how technologies will add benefit to businesses.

He works in the enterprise team and has over 40 years’ experience in the IT sector working for a variety of consultancy and end-user companies with experience in defense, utilities, automotive, retail, and fast-moving consumer goods industries. He joined Butler Group as a senior analyst in January 2006. Roy has worked on many major report projects, white papers, and primary research. He also delivers keynote speeches globally. He has a Bachelor of Science (Hons.) in electronic engineering and telecommunications, an international MBA, and is a Member of the Institute of Engineering Technology (MIET) that holds the registered status of a Chartered Engineer (CEng).

Michael Azoff

Chief Analyst, Cloud Native Computing

Michael is a chief analyst on Omdia’s cloud and data center team, where he covers a range of topics related to the cloud, data center, AI, software development, Agile, and DevOps. He also provides consulting to clients and support for Informa Tech events, with a focus on cloud native computing.

Michael was previously a consulting analyst at GigaOm, covering AI and software development. Prior to this, he was chief analyst at Kisaco Research, where he introduced an analyst chart on AI chips. Michael was also a distinguished analyst at Informa companies, including Ovum, for 17 years. After completing his PhD in solid-state electronics at the University of Sheffield (England), Michael worked at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory and published academic papers. He went into R&D, built neural networks, launched a startup for his Prognostica Microsoft Excel add-in for time series forecasting, and published a book, Neural Network Time Series: Forecasting of Financial Markets.

Dominika Koncewicz

Senior Analyst, Cloud Services and SD-WAN

Dominika works on data center IT and cloud services research, covering foundational industry topics such as demand for data center computing, adoption of cloud services, and edge computing. She has over 10 years of analyst experience and is a regular on the conference circuit, often quoted in technical media publications.

Dominika started her career at Intel a decade ago. She led the charge on tablet market forecasting and business modeling when the device type was taking off and quickly became a leading adviser to the EMEA leadership team. During her tenure at Intel, she delivered the EMEA region’s forecasting, strategy and goal setting for PCs, tablets, and smartphones. Before joining Omdia, Dominika spent four years at market research company CONTEXT, tracking IT equipment distribution and resale.

She holds a master’s degree in quantitative methods in economy and information systems from Warsaw School of Economy.