CIOs view cloud computing as a key enabler to innovation within business

The survey of 35 chief information officers (CIOs) and IT leaders across ten markets found that almost two-thirds (61%) believe increasing innovation and the business’ commercial agility through IT had gained more importance and is now one of their organisation’s highest priorities.

The majority of respondents had moved, or were in the process of moving, into the cloud, which was cited as being a key to increased innovation for two main reasons:
· Simplification: cloud offers an operating simplicity, especially across business divisions, both in terms of functionality and commercial agreements;
· Flexibility: commercial contracts with cloud providers have evolved and are now more flexible in terms of price and services offered. This is vital due to the short timescales of change in IT.

Respondents also identified various potential pitfalls that they needed to address in order to maximise their cloud investment. These include:
· Nervous board: respondents said that they had to convince a nervous and resistant board that cloud adoption is the best move for the company;
· Integration: concerns about the potential for hidden costs and whether there are large costs associated with integrating cloud that are not initially accounted for;
· Perception of end-user clients: the challenge of how to communicate to clients that they – along with their data – are going into the cloud.

Peter Hands, executive director of Capita IT Services, said: “The organisations that we work with are increasingly using IT as a route to innovation. Cloud technology is making the process easier, allowing companies to increase productivity by offering trusted applications on the go and on their choice of device.

“The survey shows that many CIOs do have challenges to overcome to realise the true benefits of cloud, including wider concerns over privacy and security. Companies using Capita Private Cloud benefit from the knowledge that the applications are being used in a secure environment, plus the reassurance of all data being stored in Capita’s UK data centres.”