Cloud native architectures will become the ‘default’ option for customer-facing applications by 2020, according to a new study from Capgemini.

The research, which surveyed more than 900 senior professionals across 11 countries, found that 15% of new enterprise applications are cloud native today, set to jump to 32% by 2020.

The study also outlined the different stages organisations are currently at in deployments. ‘Leader’ organisations, those which are already committed to cloud-native applications, are twice as likely to report increases in organisational revenues as a result of this strategy compared with laggards. Cloud native leaders are also more likely to describe their software development approach as agile – 69% of respondents compared with 37% of laggards – as well as be more likely to focus on customer growth than cut costs for IT.

This has an effect on the CIO, the study notes. While the rise in cloud native apps prompts many CIOs to see IT as even more central to supporting business growth, challenges remain. Two thirds (65%) of respondents said they expect to ‘battle an ingrained culture’ opposed to cloud native working, with an additional 70% fearing a skills shortage. 62% cited integration with legacy infrastructure as an issue.

Yet Capgemini says avoiding the issue will only make things worse. “Businesses that delay adopting this approach will struggle to make up the gap with cloud-native competitors,” said Franck Greverie, cloud and cybersecurity group leader at Capgemini in a statement. “Organisations need to listen to their CIOs and understand the huge potential of cloud-native technology to deliver business benefits and innovation.

“CIOs must also address culture and skills gaps within their own organisations on the road to being cloud-native leaders,” Greverie added.

Capgemini gave a six-point roadmap for organisations looking to build a cloud native business:

• Assess the application portfolio and identify priorities for cloud native development
• Build credibility by demonstrating a cloud roadmap and ability to deliver growth
• Start small, and then scale up to develop a skilled team
• Adapt the IT operating model to support both business agility and stability
• Be pragmatic in selecting technologies
• Incubate a culture of innovation, collaboration, testing and learning

You can find out more by reading the report here (registration required).