Educating you on the benefits and "how to" of integrating cloud computing with your business network.

 

Chief Information Officers are heading for the Cloud in greater numbers, cites an IBM survey  of more than 3,000 CIOs worldwide.  60% of CIOs surveyed indicate they plan to turn to cloud computing in the next five years.  The main catalysts for these CIOs?  Seeking business growth and a competitive edge.

 

Cloud computing generally allows users to run programs and store data remotely – even to “push” their entire network “to the Cloud” - eliminating the cost of owning and operating equipment themselves. 

 

Demand for cloud computing has jumped lately, as the IBM survey shows: only 33% of CIOs had similar cloud computing plans just two years ago.  “It really was a massive jump in any area in two years,” states Jeanette Horan, IBM’s CIO.

 

The study also showed the role of the CIO is becoming more mainstream in many organizations.  The IBM study showed that CEOs and CIOs increasingly have the same priorities, especially when it comes to tasks that help companies analyze data they collect (83% of survey respondents said business intelligence and analytics are top priroities) to better understand the marketplace.   The IBM study also indicated CEOs are becoming increasingly tech-savvy, understanding the importance and role of technology in their organizations.

Says Horan, “The use of technology is pervasive across an organization…  CIOs used to be thought of as people in the basement running servers, but that’s no longer the case.”