Edging out other emerging technologies, cloud takes the lead

April 16, 2019

A blog post by Omar Aguilar and John Tweardy 

The conversation around cloud has shifted significantly in a very short time, evolving from a technical capability or possible business consideration to a strategic priority. No longer considered an emerging technology, cloud is an enabling technology that can drive innovation, improve process efficiencies, and facilitate market-focused solutions.

As an emerging technology, cloud was simply a way to move and outsource IT infrastructure and systems. CXOs looked at cloud as one way to drive cost effectiveness, keep up with rapidly changing platforms, and free up funds to do other things.

Today, leaders recognize that cloud solutions may benefit their organizations in additional ways. An investment in cloud may help companies uncover opportunities to generate revenue, mitigate risk through better data security and control, and facilitate overall growth. Our 2019 Global Cost Survey takes a closer look at the current and planned adoption of cloud, the success of implementations to-date, and top reasons companies are investing in cloud in the first place. The survey results represent the viewpoints of 1,200+ executives (~45 percent being CXOs or presidents) from 26 markets globally and will be released on April 23, 2019.

Spoiler alert: cloud is the technology with the highest level of implementation over the past twenty-four months globally—more than robotic process automation, cognitive, or business intelligence.¹ As the underlying enabler for advanced technologies like automation and artificial intelligence, organizations are eager to put the right foundation into place to expand their capabilities.

Investing in cloud is not only a strategic move, it often makes good business sense. Here’s a closer look at why we believe executives say they are “all in” on cloud:²

• Encourages innovation and disruption. Cloud provides the capacity and computing power necessary to structure and analyze large amounts of internal and external data. As a result, companies can take advantage of advanced technologies like RPA and analytics that can help differentiate and transform their businesses.
  
• Faster implementation. New platforms and solutions are being introduced in the cloud every day, from databases to AI tools, across all industries and functional areas. These solutions are easy to implement and can remove the long, complicated lead times that might have bogged down new initiatives in the past. Companies are able to adopt these technologies quickly and begin realizing value right away.
  
• Improves efficiencies. From greater accessibility by remote workers to improved visibility into the supply chain, moving to the cloud helps organizations improve efficiencies in their operating model. Leaders aren’t limited to asking “what can we do faster?” Now they are asking, “what can we do now that we couldn’t do before?”
  
• Allows rapid scalability. Most cloud solutions and applications allow organizations to scale up as needed, eliminating the need to make costly capital expenditures.
  
• Increases data security and control. By consolidating data sources, organizations can put security and governance measures in place to protect data integrity and privacy—while making valuable data more accessible and beneficial across functions.
  

Are executives who’ve started down the implementation path realizing the expected results? The upcoming Global Cost Survey report will shed light on the subject. In the meantime, one thing is clear: cloud has fully arrived.

Endnotes

¹Deloitte 2018 Global Outsourcing Survey
²Ibid