By Gina Roos | Posted 2016-10-17 
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Cloud Adoption Grows, But Obstacles Remain
Major drivers fueling cloud adoption include cloud-native apps for security and the internet of things, but enterprises face obstacles, including skills gaps.
One of the key findings of a recent global cloud adoption study reveals that only 3 percent of organizations have optimized cloud strategies, although nearly 70 percent use some form of cloud. The biggest drivers fueling cloud adoption include cloud-native applications for security and the internet of things (IoT). Companies with the most advanced cloud strategies report, on average, $3 million in additional revenues and $1 million in cost savings, indicating better business outcomes at organizations that have mature cloud programs. The report, “Cloud Going Mainstream: All Are Trying, Some Are Benefiting; Few Are Maximizing Value,” which was sponsored by Cisco and conducted by IDC, surveyed executives responsible for IT decisions at more than 6,100 organizations in 31 countries. The survey found that organizations face a variety of obstacles in adopting clouds, including gaps in skills and capabilities, the lack of a well-defined strategy and road map, and misalignment between information technology and lines of business.
Gina Roos is a business and technology writer who has contributed print and Web articles to leading electronic industry publications. She was Editor-in-Chief at Electronics Sourcing North America, and served as Site Editor for UBM’s Green SupplyLine and Electronics Supply & Manufacturing Websites. She also authored the “In the Channel” column, covering the electronics distribution industry for EETimes ProductWeek. Gina was the founder and editor of Electronics Advocate, an online magazine covering design and supply chain issues in the electronics industry. The publication was sold to MMG Publishing UK in 2010. Gina has a degree in journalism.
