Push for cloud adoption brings savings for SMEs

Cost savings associated with the adoption of cloud based IT services are enabling small businesses to reinvest in product development and innovation, according to a comScore poll of over 200 SMEs.

With half of SME staff now doing their job independent of their employer’s IT department, those that make the move into the cloud are finding that they are making savings. Over half of SME professionals surveyed by Spiceworks cited reduction in overheads through cloud adoption, with 58% of respondents stating that it led to the need for fewer internal resources, and 49% believing it reduced the burden on IT staff.

The net benefits to cloud adoption are giving SMEs a financial advantage, with over three quarters reinvesting those savings and two thirds using the time saved to pursue new goals and opportunities.

With more and more companies making the jump into the cloud, with cloud based productivity suites like Office 365 and Google Apps now used by 35% of respondents and over half planning to adopt these services over the coming year, the cost benefits to small businesses may be the push that those dragging their feet over cloud adoption may need.

However, for those that have made the leap, the barriers to adoption, such as security concerns, loss of data control, reliability and service availability have all exceeded expectation, with most users (94%) experiencing security benefits and 82% of users experiencing improved service availability, while the majority (68%) felt their levels of privacy protection had increased since moving to the cloud.

A negative perception of cloud services is preventing a raft of small businesses from taking advantage of its very real benefits, but as more and more users report improved service, a sea change in attitudes towards the cloud will no doubt move in.

For SMEs considering a move into the cloud, a number of tools have been launched to help businesses assess their current IT infrastructure to see where they might benefit from cloud services. Microsoft’s Cloud Readiness Tool offers a way to evaluate cloud services against industry security standards.

Modis MD Roy Dungworth: “Cloud adoption is very much the future for all enterprises large and small and it’s clear that it will save money on IT overheads in the future. But having a good team in place to oversee the move is essential to ensuring you have the right service for your business.”