Following Gartner’s recent report on what it sees as the five key trends that will shape cloud computing strategies between now and 2015, here is my perspective on the impact cloud computing will have on an SME audience.

Gartner’s trends tend to focus on the larger organisations, typically 5000 seats and above, yet in the UK 99% of businesses are sub-250 employees and will have different requirements, benefits and considerations when looking to utilise a cloud platform. 

Many customers are still confused about what the ‘cloud’ is and what all the hype and terminology means to them in real terms.

Having spent a great deal of time in discussions with such customers at events and meetings, I continue to find a lack of understanding and clarity past the surface level of the cloud being internet based.

Most cannot explain SaaS, PaaS, IaaS, private and public clouds, yet know …