consumer cloud computing: challenges remain despite rapid growth
DESCRIPTION
Computing ecosystem that encompasses a range of computing devices, many of which are portable/mobile, that are connected to the internet, through which the consumers are able to seamlessly create, store, access, share and synchronize their data, software / applications, social networks, entertainment content etc.; all of which are always available and can be accessed via apps residing on the devices or through browsersTRANSCRIPT
Consumer Cloud Computing: Challenges Remain Despite Rapid Growth
Consumer cloud computing: the stack
PC
Smart phone
Tablets
Consoles
Core devices
App Stores
OS / Platform
Online Storage
Browser
Entertainment Access Apps
Search Apps
Social NetworkingApps
Content Apps
Communication Apps
Collaboration Apps
OpenAppMktGetjarHandmark
SkydriveDropBox
Internet explorerMozilla FirefoxGoogle chrome
WindowsMac
TV
Camera
PrinterPe
riphe
rals
Computing ecosystem that encompasses a range of computing devices, many of which are portable/mobile, that are connected to the internet, through which the consumers are able to seamlessly create, store, access, share and synchronize their data, software / applications, social networks, entertainment content etc.; all of which are always available and can be accessed via apps residing on the devices or through browsers
69%
Cloud service usage continues to grow
Services used at least once a month
80%76%
59%
52%44%
38% 36%20%32%34%
Consumer cloud computing maturity model
LEVEL 1Basic online consumers
Smartphone / Feature-phone
PC
Web email
Tablets
Web chat
Basic Social Networking (Facebook)
LEVEL 2Moderate “app” users; largely on
phone/tablet
Online storage
Level 1
Mainstream Smartphone / tablet
apps
LEVEL 3Heavy “app” users; usage
across devices
Specific cloud apps on PC
Wide range of apps on phone/tablets
Devices sync (e.g. iCloud)
Level 2
LEVEL 4“Fully on cloud”
users
100% on cloud devices (e.g. Chrome
Book)
All software as cloud based
services
Multiple devices, all connected to cloud
Level 3
All devices and software, fully synchronized
Increase / Decrease from previous wave
Over 1/3 of online consumers are not “aware” of cloud computing
US
66%61%
44%Germany
India
Age21-25 yrs
66Male
59Age
46-60 yrs
Smartphone Tablet / Ultrabooks
Working in IT
industry
6052
4837
7571
7165
8371
figs in %Increase Wave 2
Wave 1
Awareness levels higher among certain segments
Germany
24%23%17%
US
India
Less than 25% understand cloud computing
Increase / Decrease from previous wave
Networking of different technologies
A new way of chatting
Private online database for private users
Stuff in the cloud
Access data on the internet
Online search
Transferring information from one device to another
Online storage
Store data externally on the web
Storing your personal files on the internet instead of on a physical computer or location
Saving files to an online server rather than a physical hard drive device
It is a digital external hard drive that can store and give information to various devices connected to it
Something like Dropbox, you can store your data online and retrieve from anywhere
“
”
Awareness that YouTube, Facebook, Gmail etc… work on cloud is very low…
Uses at least once a month
Aware that services work on cloud
80% 40% 76% 31% 69% 43% 59% 30%
52% 24% 44% 38% 38% 29% 32% 22% 34% 19%
850803
24732
214638
9478
Social media buzz analysis confirms the lack of understanding
Timeline: March 1st, 2012 – March 1st , 2013 Geography: US, Germany, India Language: EnglishTool: Sysomos
Concerns about using cloud (US)Privacy
Increase / Decrease from previous wave
63%
Security 58%
It could be impossible to access my data if I change phones or some other devices
Internet connection is not robust to access consumer cloud continuously
Keep track of log in details for different clouds
Hassle to keep data organized when I use more than one cloud service / product
Getting stuck with one cloud service provider as it is difficult to switch
39%
32%
32%
30%
29%
Privacy and security as top concerns
iPadTablet / Palmtop / Ultrabooks / Netbooks
Female
Privacy
Security
It could be impossible to access my data if I change phones or some other devices
49
57Male
62
69
45
53
Male
56
64Work for IT
industry
50
56
Tablet / Palmtop / Ultrabooks / Netbooks
45
36
38
29Male
39
31Work for IT
industry
39
30
figs in %Increase Wave 2
Wave 1
Overall Cloud Readiness at a country level has grown, but still have a long way to go
Increase / decrease from previous wave
US
49%45%
32%Germany
India
US & Germany
Concerns over privacy, security holding consumers
back
India
Low understanding about cloud computing technology,
also weak technology infrastructure
Consumer Cloud Readiness (CCR) Index was constructed with three sub-indexes: Cloud Technology Adoption Index, Country Cloud Infrastructure Score and New Technology Inclination Index
Consumer Cloud Readiness Scores (maximum – 100%)
…so what are the implications?
Usage continues to rise, though
skewed
Concerns remain strong
Lower level of understanding
about cloud computing
The state of consumer cloud
100% fail-proof internet is still not
a reality
Massive fragmentation of
cloud services
Lack of “openness” - creating
ecosystem siloes; device/services
lock-in
1. While the adoption and usage of consumer cloud continues to grow rapidly, driven by smart phones, tablets and app stores, it still skews towards applications which are delivered through the cloud by default and from “Ver 1.”
2. On-premise PC applications - especially those that touch personal content and content creation - will struggle to move to the cloud, unless consumers really “understand” cloud computing, and their concerns are addressed
3. The multitude of apps, devices, storage services are leading to increased fragmentation of cloud usage and this is beginning to emerge as a key challenge, with concerns around data loss and ease of use increasing.
4. On the other hand, “ecosystem silos” (e.g. iCloud) and device lock in will prevent seamless synchronization across devices and services.
5. 100% cloud based personal computing will not take off unless these issues are addressed by IT vendors.
What we have learned
1. Vendors need to do much better job in evangelizing the consumer cloud.
2. Address the privacy and data security concerns, in a much more open manner, with clear and simpler terms and conditions. The consumer need to clearly understand redress mechanisms.
3. While the pressures to monetize the consumer cloud is a reality, try to be fair and transparent in business models (e.g. Instagrams attempt to sell customers photos)
4. Even if “ecosystem silos” are inevitable, think about making cross platform synchronization much simpler.
Final recommendations
Transformation through integration:Realizing the full potential of your information
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For questions, or a copy of the full report:
Ajith Sankaran
Senior Vice President – Market Intelligence
[email protected] | www.blueoceanmi.com