Cloud computing increases IT innovation says IBM study

Cloud computing is expected to increase innovation inside IT departments, according to a nationwide survey of Kiwi IT managers released today.

Technology corporation IBM revealed opinions on what Cloud computing means for in-house IT teams, with results presenting an opportunity for IT departments to lead on innovation, while increasing user access to IT services and demand for IT services.

Based on online interviews with 119 IT managers across New Zealand in June, nearly 75% of bosses believe Cloud adoption would provide more scope for IT departments to advance in their organisations.

Two thirds believe there would be more strategic relationships with IT providers in a cloud-based environment, leading to greater adoption of non-IT-related skills with less reliance on traditional IT skills.

Skills in demand were expected to be architecture related such as applications, storage and data and enterprise architects. IBM says results imply Cloud computing would result in a shift in skill sets, with greater requirement of expertise in areas like applications, storage and data and enterprise architecture.

The majority of respondents believed there will be either constant (38%) or increased (44%) demand for IT services within organisations adopting Cloud.

For larger organisations the key benefit of Cloud was increased flexibility of infrastructure. The most important benefit overall was increased user access to IT, although this was in 4th place amongst large organisations (1,000 employees or more).

"Cloud computing is transforming the IT workplace as organisations adopt new ways of consuming IT. CIOs and IT managers should ensure that this is factored in to their cloud strategy, finding opportunities for their teams to lead on innovation, build more strategic relationships with IT providers and develop additional skills," says Andrew Fox, IBM New Zealand.

Other Key Findings from the study:

• When asked about their own departments, over 70% of those implementing Cloud in the next one to five years thought that there would be changed expectations of what IT will be delivered by the IT department.

• 47% think the IT department is ready to meet these changed expectations, but where Cloud is not being used, the level drops to 33%.

• 44% think there will more demand for IT services, 38% think there will be the same demand, 13% think there will be less demand (with 5% undecided).