Survey: Cloud computing trends

Respondents indicated a significant need for information about cloud services. Primarily, survey respondents want to know how other governments have overcome implementation hurdles, their success stories and how they share cloud services between entities. Although there is a need for that information, few governments who responded actually have purchased cloud services. A large number — 74 percent of respondents — do not use any cloud services currently; however, 19 percent are planning to implement some cloud services within the next year. The wish list of cloud services for those entities is focused on data storage, email and/or unified communication, and hosted applications.

To use cloud services that may benefit several organizations, many of the survey’s respondents are researching shared services and collaboration with other governments in their move to the cloud. Several Western states are attempting to create that type of arrangement through associations, including the Colorado Government Association of Information Technology, the Municipal Information Systems Association of California, the Association of County and City Information Systems, the Oregon Association of Government Information Technology Management, and the Texas Association of Governmental IT Managers. There also is a similar nationwide movement through the National Association of State Chief Information Officers to promote collaboration between states and local governments.

In addition to potential shared service opportunities, respondents noted other benefits of cloud computing, including accessibility anywhere on any device, cost savings, agility and scalability, as well as being able to remain on current technology.