Sixty percent of global CIOs report that their organizations are ready to embrace cloud computing over the next five years as a means of growing their businesses and achieving competitive advantage, according to a study. The figure nearly doubles the number of CIOs who said they would utilize cloud in a 2009 study.
As demand for ever-growing amounts of information continues to increase, companies are seeking simple and direct access to data and applications that cloud computing delivers in a cost-efficient, always-available manner. The use of cloud, which began in supporting deployments mainly inside companies, has now also grown common between organizations and their partners and customers. in 2009, only a third of CIOs said they planned to pursue cloud to gain a competitive advantage. This year's study shows a dramatic increase in the focus on cloud, particularly in media and entertainment, which rose to 73 percent, automotive (70 percent) and telecommunications (69 percent).
From a country standpoint, seven out of 10 CIOs in the U.S., Japan and South Korea, and 68 percent in China, now identify cloud as a top priority. This is dramatically up from 2009, when CIO interest in cloud hovered at about a third in each of these countries.
The study also found that more than four out of five CIOs (83 percent) see business intelligence and analytics as top priorities for their businesses as they seek ways to act upon the growing amounts of data that are now at their disposal. CIOs are also increasingly turning their attention to mobile computing to keep pace with the fast-changing marketplace. As the proliferation of mobile devices with enhanced functionality and mobile applications that support business productivity and new market opportunities continues to grow, mobile computing and mobility solutions are now seen by nearly three-quarters of CIOs (74 percent) as a game-changer for their businesses -- up from 68 percent in 2009.
Just as analytics, cloud and mobility have become dominant areas for CIOs, other areas are taking up less of their time, although this does not mean they are any less important. Virtualization, risk management and compliance, for example, have moved down on the CIOs "visionary plan list" but this is the result of virtualization become more mainstream (and less the specific responsibility of CIOs) and risk gradually moving to a dedicated risk officer.
Comment from said Jeanette Horan, vice president and Chief Information Officer, IBM: As technology becomes both an enabler of competitive advantage and embedded in every facet of the enterprise, the role of the CIO has never been more essential. This study provides key evidence of how the capabilities of IT are aligning perfectly with the aspirations of business leaders. The winners will be those companies that understand the power of technologies like cloud, analytics and mobility, and can harness that power to transform their businesses.
About the study: IBM's 2011 study among chief information officers is the product of face-to-face interviews with CIOs from diverse organizations in 71 countries, 18 industries and organizations of every size.
Contact: http://www.IBM.com
Showing posts with label IBM. Show all posts
Showing posts with label IBM. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Midsize Businesses Increasing IT Budgets, Investing In Analytics And Cloud Computing
More than half of midsize companies are planning to increase their information technology (IT) budgets over the next 12 to 18 months, according to a study. As a result, these companies are investing in a wide range of priorities including analytics, cloud computing, collaboration, mobility and customer relationship solutions.
Seventy percent of midsize companies surveyed are actively pursuing analytics technology to better understand their customers, make better decisions and become more efficient. The study also shows growing adoption of cloud computing among midsize firms, with two-thirds either planning or currently deploying cloud-based technologies to improve IT systems management while lowering costs.
Other key findings:
-- 53 percent of respondents expect their IT budgets to increase over the next 12 to 18 months, 31 percent expect they will remain unchanged and 16 percent think they will decrease or are unsure.
-- Security (63 percent), customer relationship management (62 percent) and analytics / information management (59 percent) were cited as their "Most Critical IT Priorities."
-- 75 percent plan to upgrade their core IT systems to improve performance, security and reliability.
-- Top expected benefits from cloud computing include cost reduction, better manageability of IT, improved system redundancy and availability.
-- To achieve their technology objectives, more than 70 percent plan to pursue a consultative (IT and business), versus purely transactional relationship with their primary IT provider.
-- Top barriers to IT adoption cited were cost, difficulty in acquiring and deploying technology solutions, and lack of IT skills and resources.
Comparisons between the current study and those from 2009 also reveal a shift from a predominant focus on cost control and efficiency to a greater emphasis on growth initiatives. Today, 21 percent characterize their strategic mindset as 'efficiency and cost control', with the majority (79 percent) concentrating on customers, growth and innovation. In 2009, 53 percent characterized their company mindset as one of efficiency and cost control", with less than half (47 percent) focused on growth, innovation and customers. This change is reflected in the increased adoption of analytics and predictive technologies that have become more affordable and widely available for midsize companies.
Comment from Andy Monshaw, General Manager, IBM Midmarket: The survey findings show that midsize firms are tackling a new set of opportunities to advance their role as engines of economic growth. When we spoke to midsize firms 18 months ago, most were focused on reducing costs and improving efficiencies. Today, the conversation is also about expanding their business, connecting with customers and gaining greater insights.
Comment from Jay Hakami, President and CEO of Sky IT Group, an IBM Business Partner: We've seen a boom in the number of midsize customers within the consumer products space who want to engage with us around analytics and cloud. IT departments in midsize markets are adapting very fast to that fact that they must do much more with less. Companies are looking to quickly identify tools and efficient ways to support growth and innovation.
About the study: "Inside the Midmarket: A 2011 Perspective" was commissioned by IBM and conducted independently by KS&R, Inc. The survey of 2,112 business and information technology decision makers at midsize businesses (100-1000 employees) spanned a variety of industries, including banking, retail, consumer products, wholesale, transportation, industrial products, and insurance. Participants hailed from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, the Nordics (Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden), Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Spain, Japan, China, Brazil, India, Russia, Australia, Mexico, Korea, Singapore, South Africa, Poland, New Zealand and the Czech Republic. The study was conducted in the fourth quarter of 2010 to capture current and upcoming business and IT priorities and investment direction.
Contact: Download the report (PDF).
Seventy percent of midsize companies surveyed are actively pursuing analytics technology to better understand their customers, make better decisions and become more efficient. The study also shows growing adoption of cloud computing among midsize firms, with two-thirds either planning or currently deploying cloud-based technologies to improve IT systems management while lowering costs.
Other key findings:
-- 53 percent of respondents expect their IT budgets to increase over the next 12 to 18 months, 31 percent expect they will remain unchanged and 16 percent think they will decrease or are unsure.
-- Security (63 percent), customer relationship management (62 percent) and analytics / information management (59 percent) were cited as their "Most Critical IT Priorities."
-- 75 percent plan to upgrade their core IT systems to improve performance, security and reliability.
-- Top expected benefits from cloud computing include cost reduction, better manageability of IT, improved system redundancy and availability.
-- To achieve their technology objectives, more than 70 percent plan to pursue a consultative (IT and business), versus purely transactional relationship with their primary IT provider.
-- Top barriers to IT adoption cited were cost, difficulty in acquiring and deploying technology solutions, and lack of IT skills and resources.
Comparisons between the current study and those from 2009 also reveal a shift from a predominant focus on cost control and efficiency to a greater emphasis on growth initiatives. Today, 21 percent characterize their strategic mindset as 'efficiency and cost control', with the majority (79 percent) concentrating on customers, growth and innovation. In 2009, 53 percent characterized their company mindset as one of efficiency and cost control", with less than half (47 percent) focused on growth, innovation and customers. This change is reflected in the increased adoption of analytics and predictive technologies that have become more affordable and widely available for midsize companies.
Comment from Andy Monshaw, General Manager, IBM Midmarket: The survey findings show that midsize firms are tackling a new set of opportunities to advance their role as engines of economic growth. When we spoke to midsize firms 18 months ago, most were focused on reducing costs and improving efficiencies. Today, the conversation is also about expanding their business, connecting with customers and gaining greater insights.
Comment from Jay Hakami, President and CEO of Sky IT Group, an IBM Business Partner: We've seen a boom in the number of midsize customers within the consumer products space who want to engage with us around analytics and cloud. IT departments in midsize markets are adapting very fast to that fact that they must do much more with less. Companies are looking to quickly identify tools and efficient ways to support growth and innovation.
About the study: "Inside the Midmarket: A 2011 Perspective" was commissioned by IBM and conducted independently by KS&R, Inc. The survey of 2,112 business and information technology decision makers at midsize businesses (100-1000 employees) spanned a variety of industries, including banking, retail, consumer products, wholesale, transportation, industrial products, and insurance. Participants hailed from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, the Nordics (Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden), Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Spain, Japan, China, Brazil, India, Russia, Australia, Mexico, Korea, Singapore, South Africa, Poland, New Zealand and the Czech Republic. The study was conducted in the fourth quarter of 2010 to capture current and upcoming business and IT priorities and investment direction.
Contact: Download the report (PDF).
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Major Concern For IT: Use, Access And Control Of Data In The Cloud
Cloud computing raises serious security concerns among respondents to an IBM survey about the use, access and control of data: 77 percent of respondents believe that adopting cloud computing makes protecting privacy more difficult; 50 percent are concerned about a data breach or loss; and 23 percent indicate that weakening of corporate network security is a concern. Businesses see the promise of the cloud model, but security remains an inhibitor to adoption.
While an information technology (IT) foundation pertains to all cloud computing, providers and users do not generally rely on one generic model for data security. Both cloud providers and users should consider a variety of factors, including the kind of work a client wants to do in the cloud and the mechanisms and controls used. For example, clients who have collaboration tools and email work in the cloud should think about access and policy controls, while clients focused on healthcare in the cloud should be concerned with data isolation and encryption.
These findings have spurred IBM to launch a set of initiatives based on a two-pronged approach to improving cloud security: plan and assess the security strategy for the cloud and obtain security services from the cloud.
Source: IBM's Institute for Business Value 2010 Global IT Risk Study.
Contact: http://www.ibm.com/services/riskstudy
Contact: http://www.ibm.com/security
While an information technology (IT) foundation pertains to all cloud computing, providers and users do not generally rely on one generic model for data security. Both cloud providers and users should consider a variety of factors, including the kind of work a client wants to do in the cloud and the mechanisms and controls used. For example, clients who have collaboration tools and email work in the cloud should think about access and policy controls, while clients focused on healthcare in the cloud should be concerned with data isolation and encryption.
These findings have spurred IBM to launch a set of initiatives based on a two-pronged approach to improving cloud security: plan and assess the security strategy for the cloud and obtain security services from the cloud.
Source: IBM's Institute for Business Value 2010 Global IT Risk Study.
Contact: http://www.ibm.com/services/riskstudy
Contact: http://www.ibm.com/security
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Manufacturing Execs Continue To Invest In Cloud Computing
A survey of manufacturing and logistics executives found that cloud computing continues to be an area of investment. Six in ten decision-makers are currently implementing cloud solutions, with just over one third (36 percent) of respondents implementing two or more cloud solutions.
Order management, supply chain visibility and warehouse management are the most commonly used cloud solutions among manufacturers today.
The survey results were announced at the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) annual conference by Sterling Commerce, a unit of IBM. Overall, respondents were cautious about the economic environment and therefore focused on the risks associated with a loss of customer relationships. To minimize that risk, manufacturers indicated they plan to invest in "smart network" capabilities that include more collaborative risk sharing, supply chain synchronization, and secure, compliant B2B commercial interactions.
Contact: Click here.
Order management, supply chain visibility and warehouse management are the most commonly used cloud solutions among manufacturers today.
The survey results were announced at the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) annual conference by Sterling Commerce, a unit of IBM. Overall, respondents were cautious about the economic environment and therefore focused on the risks associated with a loss of customer relationships. To minimize that risk, manufacturers indicated they plan to invest in "smart network" capabilities that include more collaborative risk sharing, supply chain synchronization, and secure, compliant B2B commercial interactions.
Contact: Click here.
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