Although there is still a degree of uncertainty about cloud computing, 82% of respondents in a recent survey believe cloud computing can improve the overall impact of data centres on their environment.
The ITWeb/Fujitsu Technology Solutions Cloud Computing Survey showed cloud computing is a real solution that enables users to increase the efficiency of IT services, while managing costs.
According to Charl van Niekerk, client solutions manager at Fujitsu, the annual survey aimed to determine the level of understanding of cloud computing in the South African market.
The survey, conducted online last month, attracted 208 respondents. The majority of these respondents (30%) are in IT management, 24% are from executive management, and 5% comprise ERP support staff.
The respondents belonged to companies with employees ranging from three to 5 000 and the majority worked in the IT sector (42%). Some 12% of participants were from the financial sector and the remainder were from various industries, ranging from mining to the public sector.
A promising point was that 80% of these respondents - mostly in the IT sector - believe cloud computing is not a complex phenomenon. The majority of respondents think cloud computing has potential, but needs to be proven first. However, 38% say it is real and here to stay.
Van Niekerk points out that a key highlight of the survey was the high level of interest shown by companies.
An additional highlight, according to Van Niekerk, was that more than 80% of the participants said cloud computing has a significant role to play in the South African market.
Assessing value
Of the respondents, 38% believe simplified IT is the main value of cloud computing to their business. Some 36% felt its value lay in the reduction of costs, while 26% said it is the ability to move IT operations outside of their business.
The respondents also indicated one of the advantages of cloud computing is the reduction of the environmental impact of data centres.
“The South African market is very aware of the cloud computing technology and is always exploring new methods to be more effective and efficient,” Van Niekerk says. This helps in delivering cost-effective services to their organisations and customers.”
“In addition, the SME market has matured significantly and is also an active contributor/user of higher-end technologies,” he adds.
However, more than half (57%) of the respondents say they are not considering or implementing a cloud computing model. Only 25% say they are ready to implement it. A possible reason may be that 69% of participants believe security is a major concern, and has a significant influence when considering the adoption of cloud computing.
The unclear value of cloud computing would most likely prevent 25% from adopting cloud computing, the survey revealed. Some 23% are bothered by its networking infrastructure, while process, compliancy and existing costs are the other hurdles when it comes to implementing cloud computing.
Privacy, performance, reliability, and complexity are the other major influences when it comes to adopting cloud computing, the survey revealed.
Other findings show that 61% of the respondents believe SA is not ready for cloud computing; mostly based on the state of the current public infrastructure. However, 39% believe SA is ready.
“Cloud computing is a much-debated topic at the moment in SA,” says Van Niekerk. Judging by the response from the survey, as well as other events where attendees were questioned on areas of interest for similar events and surveys, cloud computing came out head and shoulder above any other topic, he adds.
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