Cloud computing has changed the IT environment forever, and introduced a level of efficiency and equality that allows businesses and individual access to resources previously too expensive to contemplate. Although the affordability of the technology makes it available to a wider audience, enterprises are also using cloud technology for the very same reason. A technology adoption profile commissioned by Cisco (News - Alert) and Wipro and conducted by Forrester Consulting revealed current and future private/hybrid cloud and virtualization adoption plans of enterprises.
Forrester (News - Alert) conducted the survey of 3659 AP-based senior IT and business decision makers by asking them to identify what will determine their adoption of private and hybrid cloud deployment models.
The primary cloud demand driver for the respondents in the survey was led by lowering costs and leveraging resources. This was followed by required key capabilities organizations believe is critical to manage the technology once it has been adopted. Respondents from Australia rate the importance of security very high with 96 percent stating it is seven or higher, with 10 being the highest.
Technical challenges of adoption also ranks as the top concern for IT decision makers with interoperability across different clouds ranking high. This challenge also includes integration with existing on-premises systems. The hybrid approach does offer cost saving measures and flexibility, but respondents are making preparations for the impact it will have on spending and network operations.
Decision makers are overwhelmingly interested in IaaS in a hybrid cloud approach to complement on-premises capacity, instead of replacing it. The hybrid solution offers flexibility that allows organizations to respond quickly to their needs and this topped the list of benefits of the hybrid model.
Virtualization was also high among respondents with banking, financial services and insurance companies recognizing it will be a key technological issue in the next 12 months, with 97 percent saying there is a clear link between virtualization and private/hybrid cloud enablement.
"We have observed that while private and hybrid cloud is gaining significant mind-share across the Asia-Pacific region, there are interesting differences in their investment criteria,” said Anuj Bhalla, VP and Global Business Unit Head, Product, System Integration and Maintenance Service, Wipro Ltd. (News - Alert) “Cost reduction remains top of mind for nearly 80 percent of technology leaders in India, whereas expanding existing virtualization Investments is critical in both Australia and Singapore.”
Edited by Rory J. Thompson