Strong growth in cloud computing in Norway
(Thomson Reuters ONE) -
(Oslo, 7 September 2011) Use of cloud computing in Norway has more than doubled
over the last year. More than 35% of public sector bodies and private sector
companies now use 'Software as a service' (SaaS), as compared to just 14% this
time last year. These findings come from the 'IT in Practice' survey carried out
by Rambøll in collaboration with EDB ErgoGroup.
"The last 12 months have seen growth that has outstripped many people's
expectation by a surprisingly wide margin. Even so, there are still many
barriers and challenges that have so far prevented the majority of users from
taking advantage of cloud computing", comments Terje Mjøs, CEO of EDB ErgoGroup.
He goes on to identify control over the user's own data and integration as the
main issues when private sector companies and public sector organisations first
consider using cloud computing. "The way the authorities go about regulating the
cloud arena, including issues such as information security, will play an
important role in setting the parameters by which we operate as a supplier",
explains Terje Mjøs, who mentions that recent developments in Denmark, where the
Council for Greater IT Security has advised the public sector against using
cloud computing, have also sparked a debate in Norway.
Software has the lowest threshold for cloud computing
Software as a service (SaaS) is the most used aspect of cloud computing, while
platform as a service (PaaS) and infrastructure as a service (IaaS) are only
used to a lesser extent. 14% of respondents said that they were using PaaS,
while 13% were using IaaS. "The threshold for using software as a service is
significantly lower because this can be used on a stand-alone basis or be
restricted to particular areas of service. It takes a very high level of
technological maturity combined with a comprehensive and well thought through
outsourcing strategy before an organisation is ready to use cloud computing for
major parts of its platforms and infrastructure", explains Terje Mjøs.
Highest usage levels in the private sector
The highest levels of usage for cloud computing are seen in the private sector,
but usage in the public sector is also growing strongly. 33% of the public
sector organisations in the survey reported using software as a service, up from
just 11% a year ago. Private sector usage showed an increase from 17% last year
to 38% this year. 14% of public sector respondents and 19% of private-sector
respondents said that they intended to start using software as a service over
the course of the next three years.
"In order for growth to continue at the pace we have seen over the last year, it
is essential that the IT industry succeeds in creating greater confidence in the
technology, and is able to demonstrate successful examples of cloud-based
deliveries", says Terje Mjøs, who adds: "An important factor for success in the
Norwegian market will be for suppliers to operate the cloud locally so that
customers' data remains in Norway. At the same time, a well-documented history
of expertise in secure and reliable data storage will be key to winning
customers' trust".
Storms in the cloud and the role of the IT consultant as the weather forecaster
Maintaining control over data and security to prevent data being compromised by
third parties represent an important challenge for suppliers of cloud computing.
91% of public sector respondents and 83% of private-sector respondents
identified this as the most important factor in deciding whether to use cloud
computing. "Suppliers of cloud computing must be able to reassure their
customers that the supplier has the expertise needed to use software and
virtualisation to establish watertight walls between different businesses in the
cloud, and that the supplier can implement user management and access control
that is 100% reliable. Users want to be reassured that cloud computing is secure
and reliable. Storms in the cloud will keep users indoors, where they are
today", explains Terje Mjøs, who adds: "Many customers will need extensive
assistance to position themselves in a cloud computing world, and this means
that IT consultants will increasingly become a kind of IT weather forecaster.
This is something that we call 'Cloud Consulting', and we see this area becoming
ever more important as time goes on".
More about cloud computing
Cloud computing has emerged as a new trend for delivery of IT services over
recent years. "Cloud computing refers to hosting everything from data processing
and data storage through to software on servers in external server parks linked
to the internet. Server parks used for cloud computing are designed to be
dynamically scalable to respond to changing capacity demand, and users are
normally charged on the basis of actual use" (translation from Wikipedia
Norway).
The concept of cloud computing includes:
* Cloud Software as a Service (SaaS) - applications that are hosted on cloud
infrastructure and accessed by users from a thin client (for example an
internet browser)
* Cloud Platform as a Service (Paas) - a platform for the development, hosting
and operation of applications that is implemented on a cloud infrastructure
* Cloud Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) - scalable infrastructure
(computing power, data storage, and networks) provided on demand for the
installation and operation of the customer's own applications.
More about the IT in Practice report
IT in Practice 2011 is based on a questionnaire survey of the 500 largest
private sector companies and public sector bodies in Norway. The survey was
carried out by Rambøll Management Consulting in collaboration with EDB
ErgoGroup, the largest IT services company in Norway.
For further information, please contact:
Torgeir Kristiansen, Information Director Corporate Communications, EDB
ErgoGroup.
Tel: +47 901 27 909
About EDB ErgoGroup
EDB ErgoGroup ASA is one of the leading Nordic IT companies, with some 10,000
employees and annual turnover of NOK 12.4 billion. The company is listed on the
Oslo Stock Exchange and operates from headquarters in Oslo with major activities
in both the Norwegian and Swedish markets. In all, the company operates from
135 offices in 16 countries around the world.
This announcement is distributed by Thomson Reuters on behalf of
Thomson Reuters clients. The owner of this announcement warrants that:
(i) the releases contained herein are protected by copyright and
other applicable laws; and
(ii) they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and
originality of the information contained therein.
Source: EDB ErgoGroup ASA via Thomson Reuters ONE
[HUG#1544448]
Unternehmensinformation / Kurzprofil:
Datum: 07.09.2011 - 07:00 Uhr
Sprache: Deutsch
News-ID 62855
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contact information:
Town:
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Kategorie:
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"Strong growth in cloud computing in Norway"
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