A new survey has found that many more small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) are becoming interested in cloud computing systems.
In 2009 it was found that just 22 per cent of small companies used some form of cloud computing solution, but according to a study carried out on behalf of internet provider Easy Connect, this is set to grow in 2010 to around 50 per cent as acceptance of cloud computing grows.
Easy Connect’s Chris Stenning released a statement in reaction to the report, observing that the statistics showed widespread adoption of cloud computing was just around the corner.
When the recent study was compared to the results of an identical survey completed 12 months earlier, the number of businesses categorically denying that they would ever look to cloud computing fell by nearly half to just 23 per cent.
93 per cent of respondents confirmed that they would be looking into cloud implementation in their businesses and for a majority this switchover would begin in 2010.
Despite the positive response to cloud computing illustrated in this survey, the uptake in real terms between 2008 and 2009 was relatively poor. It was found that 13 per cent of SMEs were actively employing cloud-based solutions, with the financial constraints of the recession seemingly stifling the uptake during recent months.
The report suggests that it is the larger SMEs that will be quickest to adopt cloud computing, with firms of 200 staff or more leading the way.
Many businesses cited that remote working was one of the strongest arguments for cloud adoption, although the financial benefits still remained the most attractive proposition with 51 per cent looking forward to the savings they would make by switching to cloud computing.
There has been debate as to the security issues facing cloud platforms and also questions surrounding the reliability of the systems. However, the results of the study suggest that businesses are becoming less concerned about these issues. With only 13 per cent citing doubts over security and 9 per cent querying the reliability of cloud computing, the level of trust is growing.
