IT Decision Makers Scared of Cloud Hosting

VANCOUVER, BC (Gawkwire.com) A study commissioned by PEER 1 Network Enterprises, Inc. (TSX: PIX), the global online business hosting provider has found that 88% of IT decision makers do not use cloud technologies, with 39% of respondents claiming that lack of knowledge is putting them off. The independent study which canvassed the opinions of over 200 IT decision makers reveals that concerns about security put off 24% of would-be cloud users, whilst 21% perceive that lack of control outweighs the benefits of cloud hosting.
 
Despite the concerns, 49% of those surveyed say that they are considering the technology. The availability and reliability of cloud computing are viewed as key benefits for 69% of respondents, whilst another 63% are attracted to its performance benefits. Scalability and flexibility are both factors that appeal to over 60% of potential cloud hosting users, with 43% citing security as being a reason to choose cloud hosting.

Tim Varma, Director of Product Management at PEER 1 commented: “We commissioned this study in order to get a clear view of the perceptions surrounding cloud hosting. We were surprised by the degree to which confusion about the benefits and limitations of cloud hosting seem to prevail, often conflicting with each other. For example, the security of cloud hosting appealed to 43% of decision makers – whilst 23% cite their perceived lack of security as a deterrent.

“More needs to be done to explain the benefits and address the concerns surrounding cloud technologies if the uptake is to accelerate. Cloud can reduce costs and increase flexibility for businesses, which is appealing for any IT decision maker. The industry needs to work together to provide standards that will address concerns around security and compliance.”
 
PEER 1 this year launched its CloudXcelerator™ program to foster and support the growth of cloud computing. The CloudXcelerator™ program allows qualifying partners to develop, test and run cloud applications on PEER 1’s high performance 10GB SuperNetwork™ infrastructure, helping them to bring cloud innovations to fruition faster, more reliably and more cost-effectively.

Sinclair Schuller, CEO at Apprenda, a member of PEER 1’s CloudXcelerator™ program said: “Our involvement in PEER 1’s CloudXcelerator™ program has highlighted to us the importance of working with partners who truly understand cloud technology.  We are still in the early days, and as this research shows, key industry players are only just beginning to test the water. The more we, PEER 1 and other cloud providers can demystify the topic, the more confidence and adoption will grow.”