Consumers struggle to understand cloud computing

Friday, March 25, 2011

While cloud computing is on the forefront of many IT and business managers' minds these days, the vast majority of consumers are still relatively unaware about the technology, a recent study found.

According to a report by consumer research firm GfK Business & Technology, the prevalence of connected devices, such as laptops and smartphones, is creating a greater need for consumers to adopt cloud services. Yet, according to a survey of 1,000 adults, fewer than 10 percent say they have a full understanding of the technology.

Younger generations show a stronger inclination toward the cloud than older groups. According to the study, nearly 60 percent of respondents between the ages of 18 and 35 said they were interested in moving their data to the cloud. However, only 25 percent of those older than 50 said they were interested in the cloud.

"There's also an overall need for greater education about the cloud in order to move consumers from general understanding to active utilization," said GfK senior vice president Rob Barrish.

According to a 2010 report by Business Insights, consumer cloud revenue will reach $71.4 billion by 2018, with mobile applications accounting for nearly 46 percent of that revenue.