Is the UK still clouded by uncertainty?

Cloud Technology has struck the UK like a storm. But will fears of the unknown rain on the parade?

Cloud has been a topic of conversation within business circles for several years, however only now is it reaching mainstream acceptance.  Despite a slow uptake, it now seems UK businesses are finally realizing the strategic advantage of the Cloud. The last couple of years have seen a real change in how businesses perceive the technology and with a new confidence in Cloud technology, it seems as though it is here to stay.

Only two years ago, UK businesses were lagging behind their European competitors, with just 48% of UK firms adopting the technology. Furthermore, 43% admitted to being confused as to how the Cloud could actually benefit their organization and a further 46% held concerns over losing in-house control. Today adoption is at a more respectable 61% and it finally seems the UK is now catching up with the rest of Europe[i].

However, this is with no surprise: for nearly every imaginable business issue there is now some form of cloud solution. Cloud technology offers some of the most effective solutions available on the market today. Yet despite this, there still appears to be a few niggling concerns preventing some firms from embracing the full range of benefits this technology offers. The issue in question, as admitted by 82% of businesses, is in regard to the security of the Cloud.

However, with 77% of Cloud users reporting an improvement in IT service levels and an increase in IT reliability, it seems that these concerns are misplaced. Furthermore, many firms also found the technology led to a decrease in capital expenditure on IT infrastructure and maintenance. No doubt our customers who have already adopted the Cloud versions of add*ONE would agree, the Cloud offers a more flexible solution, even in the most volatile markets. For example our cloud version of add*ONE Demand Planner enables our customers to make fast and reliable decisions by ensuring all management can access the key figures regardless of time or place. The flexibility of Cloud brings everyone in an organization together, creating an elastic concept of the work place.

Whilst concerns over security may still haunt the technology, the outlook for Cloud looks bright. With the full range of benefits only just beginning to be realized, there has never been a better time to implement Cloud into your operations.