Study finds separation between cloud knowledge and practice

Thursday, March 03, 2011

While chief financial officers believe cloud computing will enhance their business operations, many do not yet have a clear understanding of the technology, CFO Magazine recently reported.

According to a survey conducted by the news provider, 44 percent of respondents indicated they think cloud computing will "significantly" restructure their overall IT strategy.

However, in a separate survey also conducted by the magazine, 29 percent of respondents admitted they don't actually know what cloud computing means.

As CFO's Kim Girard pointed out, the findings of the two surveys indicate their is a separation between people's view of the cloud and its reality. Whereas many companies have heard about the cost savings and flexibility provided through cloud services, some have not done their homework to ensure they truly understand the technology.

The results of CFO Magazine's surveys seem to reflect those of a recent poll conducted by UK-based PeoplePerHour.com. According to that study, 43 percent of small- and medium-sized businesses said they didn't know what the term "cloud computing" meant.