Spending on cloud computing set to grow

As a growing number of companies recognize the benefits offered by managed cloud services, corporate spending on cloud computing is expected to grow in 2011, according to a recent study.

The study, conducted by analytics firm Osterman Research, examined per-employee spending on cloud computing in a variety of organizations. Among companies that have adopted cloud services, the study found an average of approximately $23.31 per employee was spent on cloud computing in 2010.

According to Osterman, cloud spending is expected to grow in 2011, reaching an average of $26.63 per employee in companies that utilize cloud computing technology.

Mike Maciag, CEO of the company that commissioned the study, said the results suggest cloud services are entering the mainstream. "Cloud computing is real and happening," Maciag said.

The study also indicated a high proportion of companies that utilize cloud services implemented them for the first time during the last year. Approximately 55 percent of companies that use public cloud services and 39 percent of those using private cloud technology indicated they adopted cloud computing for the first time in 2010.

Many analysts have predicted cloud computing will continue to grow in the coming years. According to a recent In-Stat study, spending on cloud computing in the U.S. will reach $13 billion by 2014.