Is Your City Cloud Computing Friendly?

The future of IT appears cloud friendly, according to a study of the top 10 “cloud-friendly” U.S. cities, with Boston taking the top rank for being the most cloud-friendly for large companies and Washington, D.C., for small and medium business.

On Wednesday, Jan. 12, Microsoft released Cloud Computing as an Engine of Growth: Top U.S. Cities, a survey that includes information from 2,000 IT decision-makers in 10 U.S. cities.

The survey’s objective was to “better understand IT decision-makers across multiple industries, and their current and planned adoptions of cloud-based technology solutions to grow revenue, launch new lines of business, hire staff and innovate.”

The survey measured four major areas:

• use of cloud computing-based services within two segments — small and medium businesses (1-249 employees), and enterprise-size companies (250-plus employees) — across multiple industries and markets;
• perceived value of cloud-based computing in terms of business value, innovation and importance to critical business functions;
• the benefits likeliest to lead to adoption of cloud services, such as saving money and creating new lines of business; and
• which cities were furthest along — had the greatest concentration of companies — in adoption of cloud computing.
   

Some major findings in the survey showed that: 54 percent of national respondents said they’re hiring as a result of cloud services; 30 percent of small and medium businesses, and 44 percent of enterprise respondents think companies embracing the cloud are innovative; and while larger companies appear to be using and enjoying the cloud’s benefits, small and medium businesses haven’t fully embraced cloud computing as a business opportunity.

According to the study, the top 10 cloud-friendly cities for enterprise-size companies are:
1.    Boston
2.    New York City
3.    Dallas
4.    San Francisco
5.    Atlanta
6.    Washington, D.C.
7.    Philadelphia
8.    Los Angeles/Orange County, Calif.
9.    Chicago
10.   Detroit

The top 10 cloud-friendly cities for small and medium businesses are:
1.    Washington, D.C.
2.    San Francisco
3.    Philadelphia
4.    Los Angeles/Orange County, Calif.
5.    Boston
6.    Dallas
7.    Atlanta
8.    Detroit
9.    Chicago
10.    New York City