Dubai, February 18, 2011 - Approximately 62% of South African organizations believe that Cloud Computing is relevant to their IT environments, finds Springboard Research, a leading innovator in the IT Market Research industry. The Springboard report, “Cloud Computing: Market Dynamics in MEA- South Africa” revealed that 67% of South African organizations are either currently using or planning Cloud initiatives.

“Cloud understanding in South Africa is currently much lower than the Middle East and Africa (MEA) regional average. Also, a large proportion of non-users still have no concrete plans to adopt cloud-based solutions, which is a consistent trend across the MEA region”, finds Summer Hamad, Senior Research Analyst, Middle East & Africa at Springboard Research.

Security is by far the primary barrier to Cloud adoption as cited by 46% of South African organizations, outweighing concerns of lack of knowledge at 29% and integration at 8%. With regards to verticals, telecommunication/ media and the public sector are most bullish on Cloud Computing, in terms of overall adoption plans, while oil & gas and manufacturing lag behind.  

Cloud as primarily a cost-saving measure

The Springboard Research report found that organizations in South Africa are bullish on the potential of Cloud Computing to help reduce IT-related spending across all categories of IT functions, but that Cloud is particularly appealing as a means to reducing hardware and overall operational costs.  

Storage and email applications are most widely adopted Cloud offerings 

“Although storage is the single most widely used solution, 45% of South African organizations are using solutions across the typically overlapping product categories of web conferencing/ instant messaging/ collaboration and email”, notes Michael Barnes, VP, Software at Springboard Research. "In contrast, when combined, enterprise applications (CRM, ERP, and BI) are not currently widely used Cloud-based solutions in South Africa, as cited by only 21% of respondents", Mr. Barnes added.

Google continues to dominate Cloud mindshare in South Africa, but Microsoft has closed the gap significantly in terms of Cloud-related user adoption plans. Aside from IBM and to a lesser extent VMware, other vendors have not made much headway in terms of Cloud-related user adoption plans. 

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About this Report

The Springboard Research report - “Cloud Computing: Market Dynamics in MEA- South Africa” - focuses on Cloud Computing-related awareness, understanding and adoption in South Africa. The insights in the report were derived from interviews with 100 CIOs, IT managers and line of business managers during July & August 2010.

About Springboard Research

With visionaries others pursue, methods others neglect and ideas others don’t consider, Springboard Research not only seeks to lead an industry - we seek to transform it. Leveraging our pioneering research model and industry thought leaders, Springboard Research provides greater insight, analysis, and innovation specific to global emerging markets. Working with leading technology vendors, IT professionals, and local channels, Springboard Research helps our clients lead, rather than follow, market trends.

Springboard Research has a global presence with research centers in Australia, China, India, Japan, Malaysia, Pakistan, Singapore, the UAE, and the US. We have been acknowledged as an emerging leader and for the last three years been named a “Rising Star” in the global IT market research industry by Outsell, the leading research and advisory firm for the information industry. For more information and access to Springboard’s research, please visit www.springboardresearch.com

Media Contacts

Jeanne Chai, Marketing Manager
Springboard Research
65-6325-9863
[email protected]  

Michael Barnes, VP, Software Research   
Springboard Research
65-8189-3035
[email protected]