Study: Cloud computing gives IT central role in business strategy

According to a recent study performed by CA Technologies and IDG, because of cloud computing, IT departments now play a central role in business strategy.

Of the 200 IT managers the companies polled, 54 percent stated the current value of IT is defined by being the owner and operator of IT infrastructure; however, within two years, many felt the primary value of IT would be managing the IT supply chain. Furthermore, 50 percent of respondents forecast an increase in their companies' adoption of cloud computing.

Sixty-six percent stated that managing service providers is the next big IT responsibility going forward. Seventy percent agreed that more CIOs and senior IT staff will need business backgrounds, instead of ones in technology, going forward.

Many respondents predicted IT departments will begin issuing titles involving cloud computing and vendor management to staff members.

As cloud computing continues to become more important within businesses' future strategies, research firms have forecast bright futures for the managed IT service's market. IDC estimates the public cloud market will be worth $29.5 billion in 2015.