Schizophrenic About Cloud?

November 5, 2014 / G C Network / Comments Off

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By Kevin L. Jackson

This week Dell released its first Global Technology Adoption Index (GTAI). This survey of more than 2,000 global organizations took a close look at how organizations are truly using security, cloud, mobility and big data to drive success. While the data collected from this effort should put to rest any doubts about the value of cloud computing, it also calls into question our collective mental state. Are half of us schizophrenic?

The survey data showed that 97 percent of organizations surveyed use or plan to use cloud. This high percentage is not surprising given that the data also showed a strong correlation between cloud use and company growth. Of those using cloud, 72 percent of organizations surveyed experienced 6 percent growth or more in the last three years, with just 4 percent experiencing zero or negative growth. This is in sharp contrast with companies not using cloud, where just 24 percent have growth rates of 6 percent or more, and 37 percent experienced either zero or negative growth. So with this overwhelmingly positive evidence supporting rapid adoption of cloud, why do 52% of the IT decision-makers surveyed still consider security a barrier for expanding cloud computing use?

Something to address? Yes.

Something to design for and plan? Yes.

Sometimes a challenge? Yes.

But a barrier? No!!

Are you one of those 52% telling the CEO to adopt the no or slow growth strategy of cloud avoidance?

Do you have Cloud Schizophrenia?

The survey also highlighted the business benefits of using multiple clouds. Organizations using three or more types of cloud solutions, for example, experienced a 15 percent increase in employee productivity relative to those using only one type of cloud solution. This fact alone should make you run to the next Cloud Service Brokerage class! In today’s IT industry, you will either manage a hybrid IT platform or manage a partner who does this for you. Ignoring this challenge is a sure path to the IT Professional Unemployment Line.

And another thing. Why do we still refuse to take the time to really learn the truth about cloud computing? Most of the challenges every industry faces in cloud computing adoption stem from a lack of understanding and experience. Organizations continue to rely heavily on third parties for information about cloud instead of building that expertise in-house. 58 percent of those surveyed said that they turn to an IT partner and 45 percent are using vendor websites for information. Organizations’ limited experience with cloud computing was one of the top three reasons (33 percent) why they haven’t yet implemented cloud. Yet another recommendation from the slow or no business growth contingent.

So the time has now come for you to pick a side. Cloud Schizophrenia can no longer be tolerated! You’re either for “Rapid and Profitable Business Growth” (Yeah! This is my choice!), or you’re supporting the “Slow or No Growth Alternative” (Boo! Hiss!).

It’s your choice.

About the Global Technology Adoption Index

To develop the GTAI, Dell commissioned TNS to conduct quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews with IT decision-makers worldwide. 2,038 employees of midsize public and private organizations—distributed across 11 regions worldwide and multiple industries—were surveyed to enable deep analysis by industry or region. The survey was conducted between July 15 and Sept. 2, 2014, and has a confidence interval of +/- 2.2 percent. For an in-depth look at the findings, please see GTAI results online at www.dell.com/techadoption.

(This post was written as part of the Dell Content Partners program, which provides news and analysis on technology, business and gadget-geek culture. I’ve been compensated to contribute to this program, but the opinions expressed in this post are my own and don’t necessarily represent Dell’s positions or strategies.)