Survey: Government IT Leaders Show Strong Support for Cloud Solutions to Save Money

IT Personnel Lack Support from Agency Decision-Makers

WASHINGTON, Oct. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A new survey of government information technology managers and influencers found that the more familiar they were with Cloud Computing, the more they supported Cloud initiatives and recognized its benefits to their agencies. The government IT Leaders survey found that seven-in-ten of those most familiar with the Cloud have considered using it as a way to save money and improve efficiencies.

The survey, released today by Bluetext, a Washington, D.C.-based communications and marketing firm, found that in state and local government agencies across the country, to know the Cloud is to embrace it.  The more familiar state and local government IT influencers are with the cloud, the more they support it and see the benefits it can deliver to their agencies. The vast majority of those familiar with the Cloud see it as an effective tool in meeting a range of IT challenges from providing backup and disaster recovery to desktop virtualization.

Those in the know understand that the Cloud is not only a solution to IT hurdles, but it is a means to reduce IT costs and save the taxpayer money.  Seven-in-ten of those very familiar with the Cloud believe that Cloud Data Centers would bring immediate cost savings to their agency. And nearly all polled (91%) would be interested in Cloud Data Centers if they knew immediate costs savings could be had.

But among those less familiar with the Cloud, many are struggling to understand the benefits (35%) or how to get started (46%).  Just 43% of those less familiar with the Cloud say they have considered using it to save money and improve efficiencies.

"Government IT leaders see the significant benefits of implementing Cloud solutions, including saving money, if they are familiar with it," said Don Goldberg of Bluetext. "But there's some educating that needs to be done for the others."

A majority of IT Influencers (57%) say the political leadership of their government has Cloud on their radar at least to some degree, but just 17% say they are getting a lot of support from agency executives for IT cost-cutting initiatives. Those polled believe political leaders need to hear more about the Cloud.  The vast majority of IT influencers believe their political leaders would be supportive if they knew more about Cloud computing and its benefits – much like this survey has shown about government IT influencers themselves.

The survey, conducted by Fabrizio, Ward & Associates, interviewed 150 state and local government information technology influencers nationally August 15-16, 2011. Interviews were conducted online.

In an effort to help government technology managers understand the benefits of moving to the cloud for their agency or organization, NetApp has developed The Cloud Playbook for free download at www.thecloudplaybook.com – complete survey results as well as opportunities to apply for grants and calculate savings are available.

About Bluetext
Bluetext is a fully-integrated public relations, digital marketing and communications firm. Our team is senior, creative, forward thinking and focused on one clear objective – measurable results. Our ideas are at the forefront of the industry. We partner with our clients to understand their unique challenges, then develop and execute campaigns that build and enhance brand identity, reach new audiences, drive leads and protect reputations. And we have a lot of fun doing it. To learn more, visit www.bluetext.com.

Contact: Don Goldberg
[email protected]
202-365-5224

SOURCE Bluetext, LLC