According to a Leger Marketing survey commissioned by Microsoft Canada, Canadian small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are hesitant to embrace cloud computing because they find it difficult to keep pace with rapid advancements in technology.
The study found that although nearly 73% of SMBs understand that cloud-based technology offers a cost-effective means of accessing the latest technology, only 30% are currently investing in cloud services.
In cloud computing, most of the work is done remotely by the servers of a large company, like Microsoft, rather than local servers and desktops. When you work in Google Docs, for example, or using email provided by Hotmail, you are working in the cloud.
Eric Gales, president of Microsoft Canada, said “We all know that with great technology, you are at a better business advantage. Yet with 83% of SMBs finding it hard to keep pace and 79% settling on old tech, even though they know there are better options, it is clear that Canadian businesses require simple and cost-effective cloud-based services to drive productivity, efficiency and give them the competitive edge.”
The study also found that three-quarters of Canadian SMBs are ready to invest in their own growth, but they want to invest smartly in technology that is going to work for them.
Jennifer Harrison
Twitter: JHarrisonBIV