Criteria for choosing a cloud provider

Which cloud service best meets the needs of your organization? 

According to a study conducted by Keralla Research on behalf of Euvic, among the most frequently mentioned cloud providers suited to the needs of large and medium-sized enterprises is Microsoft. Over half of our respondents indicated Office 365, and over one-third pointed to Microsoft Azure. Google Cloud Platform took third place, mentioned by every eighth respondent. These three solutions are considered the most popular by business owners. 

Similar to other segments, the share of mentioned providers does not change depending on the size of the enterprise. 

• Nearly half of the surveyed companies (47%) report using more than one cloud provider, with 17% of large companies and 7% of medium-sized companies opting for more than four providers. 
• At a similar level (42%), companies use a single cloud provider. In this case as well, there are no differences between the data obtained from medium-sized and large companies. 

When it comes to the criteria that managers of large and medium-sized companies consider while choosing a provider, the security of solutions plays a significant role. However, cost remains the most crucial factor and is also the main barrier still deterring many entrepreneurs from implementing cloud solutions. 

Costs are key for them – for 56% of the respondents, pricing that aligns with average market prices is an important or decisive criterion for selection. Security issues are also especially crucial for them. As many as one quarter of those surveyed describe it as one of the most important factors in choosing a cloud computing provider. The same proportion of respondents (25%) also considers the range of tools and services associated with cloud solutions in their selection process. Factors considered least important from the perspective of large enterprises include: the provider’s brand, ease of use and access to solutions, the geographical scope of the provider’s operations, and performance, computing power, and stability. Less than 3% of surveyed companies indicated these factors. 

Similar to large enterprises, over half (52%) of medium-sized companies focus primarily on costs in relation to the market when making their choice. Nearly 18% of respondents indicated the geographical scope of operations as an important factor, which may suggest expansion plans for medium-sized businesses. In this business segment, 12% of respondents noted security, while the lowest priority (less than 5%) was given to technical support and ease of use and access. 

The findings from the survey conducted by Keralla Research are clear: as many as 50% of respondents stated that the barrier to investing in the cloud for large and medium-sized companies is a lack of understanding by owners, management, human resistance, and habituation. This is a very clear signal for technology providers that spreading knowledge about cloud solutions and training remains crucial. Continual learning through acquiring new skills, developing existing competencies, and unlearning old habits lays the foundation for considering the implementation of new technologies in a company. 

 

Cloud computing now impacts every sector, from startups through retail to public sector clients. The world and the pace of its development will not wait, so it is important to act here and now—immediately. The competitiveness of each business today depends on the company’s place on the digital development path. The more advanced this journey, the better for the employees, customers, and the financial results of such an organization. IDC concludes that by the end of 2026, organizations that adopt a data-driven approach will generate more than a quarter of their revenue from digital products and services. As for costs, transitioning to the cloud can reduce them in many ways, as it helps save energy by adjusting IT investments to scale according to demand, and also opens the gate to artificial intelligence. 

 

Finally, artificial intelligence remains an extremely important issue. Without a doubt, we are globally in a new era—the AI era. Even now, it is said that artificial intelligence will not take away anyone’s job. It will be done by people who learn this artificial intelligence early enough. The Work Trend Index study by Microsoft indicates that today’s pace of work exceeds our ability to keep up. Artificial intelligence will completely change the way people work. Next-generation copilots will work together with humans, freeing us from a kind of “digital debt” while driving innovation. Organizations that utilize artificial intelligence will unleash creativity and boost the productivity of everyone, initiating a new wave of productivity growth and creating services tailored to user expectations.

 

 

 

Dominika Bettman
General Manager of Microsoft in Poland 

What are the financial outlays for technological investments in Polish enterprises? Only 2.4% of medium-sized enterprises plan to reduce the level of technological investments. Over three-quarters of surveyed large and medium-sized companies plan to maintain investments in technology at the same or a higher level, whereas only a quarter of large and medium-sized enterprises express a desire to increase spending on technology investments. 

Following technological trends, especially those related to cloud, significantly contributes to business development. By skillfully combining a critical approach with openness to innovation, enterprises can choose from a wide range of available IT solutions those that best meet their business needs. 

According to a study commissioned by Euvic, over the next two years, companies intend to invest in four key areas: 

• 34.2% System integrations 
• 30.8% Implementations and modifications of third-party applications (MES, CRM, ERP, others) 
• 29.2% Technology upgrades 
• 24.2% New applications (web/mobile) / custom development 

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many companies to accelerate their digitalization investments. For some, it was a matter of survival in the market. Projects that were spread out over several years had to be executed simultaneously and within a very short timeframe. Today, we see a sort of reorganization in the market, focusing on what has been achieved and now needs efficient enhancement to scale better. This explains why so many companies are planning to invest soon in integrating existing systems, implementing newer and more collaborative solutions, and adapting third-party solutions to their own needs.

 

We observe that large and medium-sized businesses are looking to achieve a synergy effect with the digital solutions they’ve implemented in recent years. This is a wise and valuable decision, as there is perhaps no greater value than well-synchronized digital processes. Their adept integration can be a key competitive advantage. It’s also worth noting the recurring theme of process automation throughout our study—it will be a key investment for nearly half of the largest companies and 40 percent of medium-sized ones in the coming year. Furthermore, the largest companies are increasingly hopeful about the potential of artificial intelligence and plan to invest in it to boost their efficiency.

 

Undoubtedly, AI may completely transform our reality in the coming years and could be the next revolution, comparable to the steam or internet revolutions. Thanks to this technology, business will be able to advance to a whole new level of efficiency, and everyone should seriously consider how to find their place in this new environment.

 

Our study also proves that most companies operating in Poland are very aware of the importance of protection against cyber threats. Nearly 60 percent of the largest companies rank investments in security and data protection as their top priority. It is concerning, however, that a similar awareness is not yet evident among medium-sized companies, though I believe they will soon recognize the importance of expenditures on cybersecurity. In the new reality, technology will not just be support or an addition that streamlines business operations. It will become the foundation and main determinant of the existence of entire industries. We are on the threshold of a complete transition to a digital economy, which is moving at an unprecedented pace. 

 

Krzysztof Wilczyński, Vice President and Technical Director
EUVIC SOLUTIONS

Despite varying needs and priorities, both large and medium-sized companies are increasingly willing to invest in the cloud. They realize that as we stand on the threshold of transitioning to a digital economy, there is simply no turning back from the cloud, and the digital revolution advances to the next level. This is good news, as it shows that the market is changing, and business owners know how to wisely choose a provider and in which solutions to invest.