How well do you know the cloud? If you\u2019re an IT professional, you probably have a pretty good understanding of what the cloud is. You probably also understand the impact it can have on your ability to deliver new features and services throughout your organisation. If you\u2019re a marketing or finance executive, though, your knowledge may be a bit shakier. In our Cloud Confidence Survey of 250 business leaders, we found that CFOs and CMOs gave themselves a \u201cD\u201d grade when it came to their knowledge of the cloud.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s unfortunate that there\u2019s such a knowledge gap about the cloud among business decision-makers given the way the cloud is already transforming the finance and marketing functions in organisations. In finance, for instance, the cloud gives a much more granular view of organisation expenditure (IT in particular), helping turn large up-front investments into more predictable subscription services. The cloud can also reduce the \u201ccost of innovation\u201d for many organisations. In other words, because cloud-based software and infrastructure are pay-as-you-go, you can afford to test and then scale new services and offerings without incurring large overhead costs.<\/p>\n
This idea of quick development and scalability also provides benefits for marketing executives. The agility of the cloud makes it easier to create, test and refine campaigns in real-time. The cloud also allows marketers the flexibility to try ideas that were technically impossible just a few years ago. Where you can reach customers, how precisely you can tailor your message, even the experiences you provide for your customers around your products and services, are all being radically transformed by the cloud.<\/p>\n
Of course there are concerns about how best to use the cloud. How secure is my data? Will I lose control of my business if I turn over key processes to the cloud? How are regulatory and compliance issues impacted by the cloud? All valid questions, especially if you\u2019re like many of your peers who are less familiar with the cloud.<\/p>\n
If you wanted to learn more about how your peers see the cloud, check out our new Infographic \u201cWhat business leaders think of the cloud.\u201d It gives you a good overview of some of the key findings from our eBook, Cloud Confidence<\/a>, and will help to put some of your cloud concerns to rest.<\/p>\n
![\"cloud](\"http:\/\/az370354.vo.msecnd.net\/wordpress\/2016\/01\/full-infographic-cloud-2.png\")
<\/a>