Cloud computing gains momentum over traditional software licensing finds survey from Star
LONDON, June 1st, 2009 – Star, a UK based ICT services provider, has today released results from a survey amongst more than 400 UK businesses, investigating their plans to upgrade to the latest Microsoft Exchange 2007. The survey revealed that the majority (57%) of Microsoft Exchange customers were still using Exchange 2003 or older and 58% had no plans to migrate to the current version within the next year. The most frequently cited barrier to migration was the issue of cost and the increased training and skill updates required to make the transition.
The survey findings make depressing reading to UK industry, as businesses are clearly finding it increasingly difficult to access the latest technologies in the current economic climate. Not only was there a clear reticence amongst users to upgrade to the latest version of Exchange, but the most frequently cited reason by those contemplating the move was that they felt they were being forced to do so by the traditional licensing model.
The survey also examined IT Manager’s attitudes amongst Microsoft users to adopting Hosted Exchange as an alternative approach to the typical licensing model for an on-premise email solution. The responses revealed that 52% were either undecided or definitely considering such a move, whilst 41% were not as yet considering this alternative.
Interestingly recent legislation giving parents the right to work from home may explain the reason why enabling mobile workers to work from home has become a key business driver with 29% of survey respondents citing this as a key reason to migrate to the latest Microsoft Exchange platform.
According to Rick Hudson, CEO at Star, “We are seeing a very strong trend within our customer base to adopt new technologies as a managed service. At a time when all businesses are extremely cost conscious, the opportunity to get the latest Microsoft Exchange technology without the operational and financial risks as well as upfront investments in software and training is a very attractive proposition. We have seen demand accelerate in the first quarter of 2009 for our Microsoft Exchange service, Star Business Email, and indications show no sign of that letting up.”
Star has launched a new business Guide called “Cloud Computing, what does it really mean?” to help UK businesses get an insight into how IT services, delivered via the Internet, can help them. The free Cloud Computing guide can be downloaded from: www.star.co.uk/cloud