Report: Businesses using cloud computing for increased productivity

A recent report from a leading cloud-based solution company found more mid-sized companies are turning toward cloud computing in order to increase their productivity and return on investment.

The report polled several professionals familiar with the increased adoption of the managed IT service. Many of those polled stated cloud-based business applications, or Anything-as-a-Service, will be embraced in order to control costs, with ROI acting as a key factor in any IT executive's deliberation.

"Based on the results of this survey, it's clear that [these businesses] see the value of cloud-based solutions and are eager to benefit from a productivity and ROI perspective," said the president and CEO of the company conducting the report. "Cloud-based communications tools in particular can be leveraged by companies to drive competitive differentiation while maximizing working capital."

Many respondents felt minimizing the cost of ownership is the "ultimate goal" when a business adopts a service-based application or offering.

Other recent reports support the trend put forth in this poll. Recently, Osterman Research polled 100 IT professionals and found the average investment in cloud computing will grow by 10 percent in 2011.