Workers at small and medium-sized businesses are aware of the benefits of cloud computing and are increasingly demanding it as an enabler of enterprise mobility and flexibility
64 percent of workers believe that cloud applications are important in supporting their day-to-day work, while 83 percent prefer cloud applications to those deployed on-premise. On average, workers use six different cloud applications per month.
In addition, 79 percent expect the number of people using cloud applications for work to increase over the next two years.
The reasons for the use of cloud included flexibility, cited by 91 percent, and real-time access, cited by 89 percent. 58 percent saw workforce flexibility as the key benefit.
The research also showed that expectations of employers are increasing. 86 percent expect reliable software and 84 percent reliable hardware.
49 percent consider the quality of available technology and applications when choosing employers; this rises to 59 percent of 18 to 24-year-olds and falls to 36 percent in those over 55.
Despite this, 45 percent believe that their organisation has a definitive policy in place regarding cloud applications in the business. 21 percent believe the board is driving cloud adoption and use, compared to 34 percent citing the IT department and 31 percent the workers themselves.
Brenda Morris, general manager of Kronos for the UK, commented: "Currently workers are freestyling with cloud apps and derive real value from the technology when speed, simplicity, and security are all addressed.
"It’s now essential that more SMBs look at how harnessing the cloud can not only transform productivity, but also deliver a platform for them to compete in an increasingly competitive environment. At Kronos, we experiencing a significant increase in customers deploying in the Kronos Cloud to achieve all of the benefits associated with cloud computing."
The Kronos report surveyed 1000 knowledge workers in organisations with between 50 and 500 workers across the UK, Netherlands and Belgium.
