How Cloud & SaaS Will Change IT in 2010, and How it Won't

Cloud computing promises to change the IT industry in 2010. Many organizations remain highly cost-sensitive and cloud computing represents cost cutting opportunities for some companies. Analysts expect global IT spending and transformation projects to continue to be slow or stopped through the first half of 2010. However, there has been a startling shift in attitudes and adoption of cloud computing. A recent global survey of C-level executives and IT decision makers reveals the first real-world indications of an embrace of cloud computing, including huge increases in those who are testing or have plans to implement the emerging technology. And, key data shows the majority of companies that have begun implementing are taking a hybrid approach to adoption.

 

As an extension to the Global Survey of Cloud Computing that Avanade commissioned in January 2009, Avanade again engaged with independent market research firm, Kelton Research, to conduct a second large-scale survey of cloud computing adoption in September 2009. 

 

In this follow-up global research study,  it has been found that cloud computing adoption is rising rapidly, with companies showing preference towards the implementation of a hybrid deployment in which there would be a mix of cloud-based and internal, on-premise systems.

 

And while companies are becoming more comfortable with cloud computing in total, many have already embraced the adoption of Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) applications—one of several types of cloud computing services.  Once companies adopt SaaS, they are hooked, the study found.  SaaS brings a fundamental change for how IT services are provisioned and consumed.  What SaaS means for businesses:

·         Increased business “operational elasticity”

·         Faster time-to-market, easier to enter or exit new markets

·         IT cost reduction, shift focus to strategic, vs. maintenance related efforts

·         Increased connection, collaboration with customers, partners, suppliers and others

 

Global Research Study Related Materials

Please register below to access the complete global research study Executive Summary

Click here to view a video of Tyson Hartman, Global Chief Technology Officer, Avanade, where he discusses the complete global research study findings; how cloud will change IT in 2010 and how it won’t; and trends shaping cloud and what they mean for customers.

Click here to view a video of Gavin Williams, Vice President Infrastructure Solutions, Avanade Europe, where he discusses the costs, collaboration and agility advantages for customers' considering cloud or hybrid cloud computing approaches.

Click here to view the complete global research study press announcement

Click here to access the SaaS specific findings from the study, included in this companion Executive Summary.
Click here to view the press announcement regarding the SaaS specific findings from the study.



Additional Avanade Cloud Computing Materials

·         Click here to access all of the latest and greatest Avanade insight on cloud computing and SaaS including additional research, perspective and point-of-view papers, videos and more.