Survey: 'Slow But Steady' Wins Cloud Computing Race

Cloud computing is top of mind for most IT professionals, but not to the extent that the considerable hype would imply, according to a recent survey by IT management software player SolarWinds.

The survey queried roughly 100 IT professionals on their plans to use cloud computing and what is driving those plans. And while 60 percent of respondents said their organizations are currently evaluating or have already invested in cloud technologies, many said they are not letting cloud hype influence the speed with which they move to the cloud.

The survey results indicate that nearly 40 percent of respondents are okay with a "slow but steady" approach to cloud computing and that roughly 29 percent have no target time frame for beginning cloud implementation. Meanwhile, 16 percent of those respondents will start implementing cloud solutions within the next six months.

Despite taking their time to move to the cloud, survey respondents noted the benefits of a cloud-based approach. The survey found the top three reasons to adopt cloud computing technologies are operational efficiency, 28 percent; business flexibility, 24 percent; and financial savings, 19 percent. And Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) is still the top cloud technology. Forty percent are evaluating SaaS offerings while 15 percent are examining Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS).

Another key theme among SolarWinds survey respondents was the need to acquire additional skills and more knowledge to properly leverage the cloud. The survey revealed that the top concerns in regard to the cloud are security, cited by 73 percent; the ability to resolve application issues, 55 percent; and being blamed when the service is down or slow, 42 percent.

Additionally, 77 percent said they either lack the proper training or expect to have to augment their skills and expertise to become proficient in the cloud and to manage a cloud implementation, while nearly a third said that a move to the public cloud will likely create an increase in their responsibilities and opportunities.