Cloud native computing and natural language processing create immediate ROI: Forrester

Cloud native computing and natural language processing (NLP) are delivering immediate ROI for enterprises according to new research from Forrester.

Forrester’s Top 10 Emerging Technologies report reveals that both cloud native computing and NLP are already generating returns for mainstream enterprises today, while edge intelligence, AI, and privacy preserving technologies are expected to create significate ROI over the next four years.

“While almost everybody is implementing [cloud native computing and NLP], the technologies are rapidly evolving and deserve close attention. Mainstream firms should expect quantifiable, short-term returns from these technologies,” the report said.

Cloud native computing

The immediate results to businesses from adopting cloud native computing include faster application development across cloud and on-premise infrastructure as well as the opportunity to scale the technology across multiple environments.

According to the authors, financial services is a vertical that will see great benefits from cloud native computing, as well as for professionals in technology architecture, delivery, security and risk.

“Cloud-native technology is used to build and run highly scalable, highly available applications in modern dynamic environments like public, private and hybrid clouds and the edge,” the authors state in the report.

“45 percent of decision-makers whose organisations are adopting cloud cite modernising applications with cloud native services as a primary part of their organisations’ strategy.”

Natural Language Processing (NLP)

NLP is the set of technologies that allows for the deployment solutions including AI and ML platforms, text analytics, cognitive search and chatbots. The report cites NLP as the “cornerstone of digital transformation in B2C, B2B and B2E environments”.

According to the report, “NLP augments customer experience and intelligent document extraction and processing (IDEP) applications with ML and knowledge-based AI to make them more accurate and automated.”

ROI into the future

While edge intelligence, explainable AI, intelligent agents, and privacy preserving technologies will deliver a competitive edge, it will take approximately two to four years to yield an ROI from these investments, according to the report.

Even further across the horizon, Forrester named extended reality, TuringBots, Web3 and Zero Trust edge as technologies that won’t deliver ROI for five-plus years.

“Only future fit technology management organizations will see a positive ROI in these technologies in the near term,” the report said.

“Other firms should watch these technologies or experiment with them carefully, keeping benefits expectations modest.”