TL; DR: Containers, Kubernetes and Cloud Foundry are all making significant inroads into the Fortune 100. The enterprise is becoming cloud native.
Container usage, which, at its most basic level ostensibly maps to developers using Docker, is running at 71% across Fortune 100 companies. Kubernetes usage is running in some form at 54%, and Cloud Foundry usage is at 50%. In terms of public references with commercial suppliers Cloud Foundry leads the way, with twelve of the Fortune 100 publicly stating they are using Cloud Foundry, Kubernetes has four public references while Docker has two. It is important to note that while public references are an interesting proxy, they are but the tip of the iceberg and in our conversations we hear of substantially more usage of the gamut of cloud native technologies.
At this point it is not possible to definitively say how many of the Fortune 100 have Kubernetes in production. What is clear is that “The Docker Pattern” is occurring in many large organisations with both Docker and Kubernetes playing their part.
However, it is also key to take note that many of the cloud native projects are still at a relatively early stage. Two clear trends emerge
- Many greenfield projects we hear of are moving to cloud native approaches. In certain cases, there is a distinct over rotation, far beyond what it is necessary towards certain new technologies. There are huge benefits however in terms of the wider SDLC approaches within many more traditional organisations. A solid foundation is required for a company to use a cloud native approach – and with these foundations in place (e.g. CI/CD, understanding microservices approach and so forth) enterprises will continue to expand their cloud native footprint.
- Over 36% of the Fortune 100 companies analysed are using Docker, Kubernetes and Cloud Foundry within their organisation. We have spoken on several occasions previously about companies hedging their bets, and as my colleague Stephen O’Grady has recently pointed out the either/or question is quite misplaced. Kubernetes and Cloud Foundry are different tools, and both are relevant as enterprise IT moves into the cloud native era.
On a sector by sector basis we see, as would be expected, wide adoption of cloud native technologies within Technology companies. All Financial Services companies in the Fortune 100 are using containers, with 65% of them using Kubernetes. Industrial, Food and Retail companies all lag behind in adoption.
Notes on this analysis
We use a combination of quantitative and qualitative sources to evaluate if a company is using cloud native technologies. These range from open source contributions, hiring data, client discussions and public disclosures.
As hiring an employee is a decision with budget behind it we place a higher rating on the hiring data.
Updates: Updated 9/11/17, 16:50 GMT with extra data from RedHat.
Disclosures: The Linux Foundation, The Cloud Foundry Foundation, Docker, CoreOS, Pivotal, RedHat, Google, Microsoft, Amazon and IBM are all current RedMonk clients.
Ant Stanley says:
September 11, 2017 at 5:52 pm
Would have been useful to have seen some commentary on the recent stumbling blocks that GE have encountered with their Cloud Foundry powered Predix platform, and what the barriers being encountered in general cloud native adoption that are slowing or preventing adoption that need to be overcome.
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