Business adoption of some form ofcloud computinghas almost doubled
since the beginning of the year, research has
revealed.
In the same period, the number of businesses planning for and
testing cloud computing has trebled, according to a survey of 500
global companies in 17 countries.
Of the 40% of companies investing in new technologies, 57% said
cloud computing is a strategic investment and 43% view
cloud computing as a cost-cutting measure.
"This is the first data that indicates a growing global
acceptance of cloud computing in the enterprise," said the report,
commissioned by technology supplier Avanade.
The number of companies not using any form of cloud computing
has shrunk to 36% from 61% in January this year.
"In the UK the contrast is even greater, with just 25% of
companies not adopting any form of cloud computing," the report
said.
More than half of the companies polled are using a mix of
cloud-based and internal IT systems.
"There is a clear move to using these hybrid deployments of
cloud-based systems as companies get more comfortable with new
technology," the report said.
The hybrid approach will give cloud computing time to permeate
businesses the way the internet has done, said Ian Jordan, managing
director at Avanade UK.
Barriers to using only cloud-based computing in the enterprise
include
security concerns, the steep learning curve for IT staff and
service disruptions, the report said.
Although companies are becoming increasingly comfortable with
cloud computing, less than 5% of those polled are adopting a
cloud-only model.
Cloud will continue to take hold, but at the same time there are
some
applications and business processes that are not suited to cloud
computing, said Jordan.
"Companies need to make smart decisions about what to migrate,"
he said.
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