Cloud here to stay as businesses take the plunge

IT managers have fully embraced cloud computing, with one of the largest suppliers of enterprise software announcing that 58 per cent of its customers and partners will remotely host data and applications by the end of 2011.

30 per cent of the 965 companies quizzed by CA Technologies have already embraced cloud, with 43 per cent expecting to increase their investment in remote data management this year to keep control of their IT services.

The largest investment is likely to be virtualisation, as businesses look to rationalise and standardise both spending and organisation of their IT infrastructures and become more agile. Almost three quarters of respondents say their customers are embracing virtualisation, and 60 per cent expect to see an increase in cloud spending.

The biggest challenge identified is the need to manage data as the shift to virtual, distributed IT continues.

“The survey shows that investment in (cloud) continues to be a strategic priority for businesses as their IT environments become increasingly complex and the value of business data continues to escalate,” says Chris Ross, vice president at CA Technologies.

Investment in IT solutions is holding firm, with 95 per cent stating that budgets will remaining either consistent or increase throughout 2011.