SMEs slow to adopt ‘the cloud’
UK businesses are still afraid of using cloud computing, according to new research.
A survey carried out by document processing company Esker, revealed that 83 per cent of SMEs are afraid of hosting their corporate IT platforms, infrastructure and software in ‘the cloud’.
Data security fears
The number one reported fear of cloud computing was data security (73 per cent of respondents), while half of all businesses expressed concerns over privacy and accessibility. “With no software or hardware to install, cloud computing has companies up and running and seeing a positive impact on their businesses in little to no time,” said a spokesman for Esker. “Applications are run on a shared data centre… and are flexible enough for everyone to customise to their own specific needs.”
Successful cloud hosting
The cloud has already generated remarkable efficiencies to many companies’ distribution processes. Thanks to using a cloud system by Antenna Software, the global drinks giant Coca-Cola Enterprises has reduced the driving required by its merchandisers by 75 per cent.
By connecting up a system of cloud computing, mobile devices and GPS, managers can see their workers’ movements and react to fluctuating demand throughout the day. This means instead of driving to and from head office every day, they only have to make the journey once a month.
Cloud hosting for SMEs
John Engates, Chief Technology Officer of Rackspace, a cloud computing company with 40 of the Fortune 100 companies as clients, explains how smaller enterprises can also benefit: “With cloud computing, SMEs no longer necessarily need to buy hardware and software licences, and manage IT in-house. It’s therefore much less expensive and risky for SMEs – and the potential rewards are great. “[They have] access to greater computing power than ever before,” he adds. “This remote computing power… is transforming the way SMEs use IT and even do business.”
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