Big Data research continues to indicate that Cloud Competitiveness and productivity have spiked in interest among America s CIO s According to 49% of CIO s, the top goal over the next 5 years is to improve the productivity of systems within their respective companies. Following productivity, 31% stated that the ability to enable improved security and protection of data was a corporate initiative. This has led to a creation of value for Cloud services rather than simple cost cutting. In the past few years there has been a relentless shift in IT cost spending and consolidation of services to lower operating expenses. According to a new IDG CIO research survey over 1,500 CIO s indicated a new trend where they are necessitating a drive toward value creation rather than cost reduction. As CIO s lead this shift in thought, others IT leaders have begun to follow. According to 49% of CIO s, the top goal over the next 5 years is to improve the productivity of systems within their respective companies. Following productivity, 31% stated that the ability to enable improved security and protection of data was a corporate initiative. IT leadership has recognized that great opportunities have become available to create value and scalability in the Cloud IT Space.
Using The Cloud to Predict Future Sales Companies have realized that they have extremely important Data within their systems. Of the companies that were polled, over 50% are currently working on a big data strategy to try and create value from the existing data. For about 20% of the corporations polled, understand the data they have stored is a top priority. Across the board one note rang true. Companies want to know where customers come from, who is a repeat customer, and why there are repeat customers. CRM systems can no longer meet the needs of IT directors, and data analysis professionals. Currently over half of the respondents who are already using big data analytics are attempting to further improve the analytics tools they are using. Business and IT are now working Together Big Data has led to alignments where both IT and Business Executives look to take credit for the outcome. When everyone is working toward the outcome it allows everyone involved to benefit. Over 69% of all polled IT leads said that Big Data Analytics was there idea, yet almost half of the Business Executives interviewed said Big Data Analytics was their idea. IT and Executives will need to work together in order to ensure the success of these new Cloud and Data initiatives. To further add to this complexity, almost half of those interviewed did not have the business or technical advise to form a quality Cloud Strategy.
Caution for the Cloud While executives are looking to add a Cloud Investment, they are doing so in a cautious manner, at least with Critical business applications. Rather than investing heavily into the Cloud, over 50% mentioned that they are moderately investing in Cloud technologies. Only 60% of big data in the United States is currently operating in the Cloud. IT Security has jumped to the forefront of enterprise IT initiatives. Over 83% of executives and IT directors are pursuing some type of IT Security product. Roughly 80% of the respondents polled agree that they need to enact more agile and efficient processes to their companies. Why use the Private Cloud? Private and Hybrid Cloud solutions are expected to hold about 34% of all mission critical applications in the Cloud. Many of these applications currently being hosted in the Private Cloud are extremely important and critical business applications. Almost 75% of all IT Managers are looking for some kind of centralized control, and failover capabilities. Why use the Public Cloud? The Public Cloud has been met with a high level of skepticism. Over 65% of executives believe that there is a risk associated with the Cloud that cannot be mitigated. The maintenance of security in the cloud is a concern for 2/3 of executives. It is argued that shared disk space has led to the wariness of Public Cloud applications. Corporations are facing compliancy issues that are hard to manage in the Cloud.
The CIO s Changing Role Just 10% of CIO s say that they do not plan to use some type of Cloud Computing technology, and ever fewer are not planning on using any kind of big data analytics. Almost 70% of all CIO s interviewed agree that the cloud will overtake the traditional IT architecture at their companies within the next 3 years. This transition has led to a change in the responsibilities and roles of IT professionals. IT managers are now responsible for handling their capital and operational expenditures. IT professionals are now working as a service delivery framework where they are now expected to create value through their actions. As CIO s are also changing toward a service delivery framework, productivity and faster decision making has improved the levels of service among team members. Companies who do not embrace this model will be at risk for falling behind their competitors. Remaining relevant in the enterprise has become increasingly important for IT staff. To do so, IT members must evolve to meet the needs of the businesses they are working for. Cloud technologies are creating a new focus for IT Managers, providing them with a service-oriented technology. IT Has Become the Cloud The need to meet greater agility and scalability has required the use of the Cloud. While this has increased the responsiveness of businesses, it has required IT managers to revamp their management tactics. Of everyone polled, over 80% believe that the Cloud will create new opportunities for IT to grow within their organization. This growth in responsibilities for IT departments has increased the collaboration between IT managers and Executives. It is predicted that the cloud will overtake the current IT architecture within the next 3 years.
Transforming IT A call for an increase in Productivity and agility has led the charge toward the Cloud. A better understanding the processes and differences between Cloud technologies are essential the success of organizations in the future, and its ability to make faster decisions. Service-oriented architecture will enable the processing of every piece of information that a company collects. This increases the value of the IT department and its relation to the Cloud. How to move to the Cloud? Organizations will need help in moving to the Cloud. To help mitigate the challenges that companies face in this move Cloud Service Brokers will become invaluable. A clear, efficient, and productive strategy will need to be created. By leveraging multiple Cloud providers, a Cloud Broker will be able to provide expert advice through an evaluation of all providers available. Fastblue Networks can help form quality strategies. As a Solution based Cloud Broker, Fastblue Networks will evaluate and offer advice and services based upon your individual needs. Our product offering is Agile and scalable as far as the mind can reach. Feel free to learn more about Fastblue at www.fastbluenetworks.com