Migrating, Managing, and More

Real IT Pros. Real Advice.

About this IDG study
Cloud technologies are reshaping expectations for IT pros
and the businesses they manage. IDG Research Services,
in conjunction with Microsoft, recently surveyed 55 IT pros
who have deployed enterprise business applications to a
public or hybrid cloud. All respondents are deeply involved
in the purchase or implementation of third-party cloud
solutions. This includes strategic planning, solution mapping
and recommendation, and vendor selection. A wide array
of industries was represented, from manufacturing and
education to healthcare, professional services, government,
and many more.

This report is designed to help IT pros to learn from peers who

are dealing with similar challenges and opportunities. Through
it we share perspectives on how to use cloud computing to
improve business performance and position for the future.

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Business applications
Mobility
are taking center stage IT pros are emphasizing
productivity and
One of the keys to cloud success is determining the optimal anywhere access in their
platform and priorities for running business applications.
business application
Once considered optional, these applications are now central
to infrastructure decisions and achieving company goals.
deployments. This is a
direct reflection of how
The need for real-time engagement and analytics surfaced cloud technologies are
throughout the research. Of survey respondents considering
continuing to accelerate
or planning application deployments to a public or hybrid cloud,
42% have identified business data as their first priority. Of those decision-making,
who have piloted or deployed business applications in their customer responsiveness,
enterprise, 60% have focused first on collaboration/conferencing and the ability to work
solutions, followed by email/messaging at 58% and data
management at 45%.
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Key benefits driving the
transition to the cloud
It is no longer a question of whether or not businesses are moving their
applications to cloud technologies, but how fast IT can manage the
transition. In business applications as elsewhere, IT pros are relying
upon cloud technologies to deliver more for less.

Of respondents surveyed:

85% consider scalability and cost-effectiveness key benefits of

driving enterprise business applications to the cloud

82% cite improved efficiency via less time spent on maintenance

as very important

80% believe flexibility and user experience are critical

Competitive pressures will motivate IT pros to not only deploy all-

new and imminently scalable infrastructure but also to integrate
cloud technologies on top of their existing environment. Fortunately,
the payoffs are worth it. In the words of Natalya Yezhkova, IDC
Research Director, Storage Systems, End users often cite the agility
of IT infrastructure and economic reasons as drivers for cloud
adoption, but we also expect that the proliferation of next generation
applications born and run in the cloud will fuel its further growth.