After a decade of cloud, it may come as a surprise that the issue of cloud computing is still perplexing to many CIOs.
As cloud computing enters its second decade, its prevalence is increasing to the point at which it is no longer considered disruptive, but is now an expected approach to IT.
Despite its longevity, however, cloud computing still suffers from confusion, and long-standing nontechnical concerns (for example, cost and governance) continue to muddle the opinions and approaches of CIOs and senior leaders.
Public cloud spending today is around 5% of total IT spending, but it will grow much faster than internal IT spending between now and 2020, due to new initiatives as well as the migration of existing legacy systems.
Digital business requires speed and agility that cloud computing provides through the use of cloud services – which become available to a broader set of users through a self-service interface.
Users “help themselves” to these cloud services, stimulating creativity and innovation.
CIOs need to educate their CEOs and boards about the need to invest in cloud as a style of computing that drives greater speed, agility and innovation through this democratisation of IT.
In doing so they should use their digital business strategy to justify the investments needed for cloud computing.
