Navigating the cloud - A systematic literature review of cloud technologies

Cloud storage transforms business landscapes by reshaping how products are innovated, customers are engaged, and securing competitive advantages. This study presents a systematic literature review (SLR) of cloud storage, analyzing its economic impact, adoption trends, pricing models, and strategic implications. Findings indicate that cloud storage adoption varies by industry, with sectors such as finance, healthcare, and education leading due to their high data security and scalability requirements. The study also highlights pricing complexities, where pay-as-you-go, reserved instances, and dynamic pricing models create both cost-saving opportunities and challenges related to vendor lock-in and switching costs. Furthermore, cloud storage plays a crucial role in enhancing business agility, facilitating remote collaboration, and integrating AI, blockchain, and IoT technologies. However, issues related to cybersecurity, regulatory compliance, and pricing transparency remain key concerns. The research underscores the need for robust governance frameworks and multi-cloud strategies to mitigate risks and optimize cloud investments. Future studies should explore long-term cost efficiency, decentralized cloud models, and AI-driven storage optimization to enhance decision-making in cloud adoption.