New research has revealed that although cloud software is viewed as central to success, most are lacking a formal plan for adopting the technology.
The research, from Cloud Sherpas, shows that 70% of IT leaders believe that cloud software is central to success, whereas only half of executives have a formal strategy.
The survey found that most IT executives see CRM as the top business application in the cloud. While efficiency (71%) and collaboration (66%) are seen as the top two improvements that organisations hope to achieve through cloud technology.
The drivers for adoption were seen as primarily IT agility (66%) with reduction of costs (56%) and the ability to improve the customer experience (46%).
Mathew Johnson, vice president of advisory services at Cloud Sherpas, said: "Cloud Sherpas is encouraged by the survey findings, which highlight the importance organisations are placing on the desire to build a cloud strategy, even though the majority lack the guidance needed to be successful."
"A transition to the cloud requires companies to consider multiple factors beyond price and vendor, including a thorough analysis of the existing application stack and proper alignment with business needs."
"When stakeholders across the business, including executives, come together on a strategy and execution, companies will get the most benefit from moving to the cloud."
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One of the challenges which faces companies which are adopting cloud is the issue of dealing with legacy systems. Other concerns were found to be security, privacy, compliance and governance.
The report is based on the views of 234 responses from IT, Marketing and Business Development executives at the director level.
