Global Survey Reveals Why NGOs Are Moving IT to the Cloud

TechSoup Global finds NGOs are enthusiastic about cloud computing benefits but need more education and support

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--TechSoup Global (www.techsoupglobal.org) announced today the results of its 2012 Global Cloud Computing Survey of 10,500 nonprofits, charities, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from 88 countries — the most extensive technology survey ever conducted of NGOs worldwide.

“By sharing the voices of NGOs with the sector as a whole, this survey will allow us to better use cloud computing to improve organizations’ effectiveness, collaboration, and access to data.”

TechSoup Global’s report on barriers and motivators in cloud computing reveals that a majority of NGOs are planning to move their information technology (IT) to the cloud. However, they need more education and support to take full advantage of the benefits cloud computing offers regarding costs, productivity, and collaboration. Many NGOs are not even aware that they are using cloud applications already, or they are not familiar with the full suite of cloud-based applications available to them.

The survey results will enable the global NGO sector to make more informed decisions about cloud computing adoption and will also help capacity-building organizations, funders, corporate donors, and partners develop programs that maximize the potential of these technologies. For example, NGOs state that startup costs of moving information to the cloud and externalities such as lack of consistent electricity or Internet access are barriers that prevent them from using cloud computing.

Key results of the 2012 Global Cloud Computing Survey include:

• 90% of respondents worldwide are using at least one cloud computing application.
• 53% report plans to move a “significant portion” of their IT to the cloud within three years.
• 60% say lack of knowledge is the greatest barrier to greater use of the cloud.
• 79% say the greatest advantage is easier software or hardware administration.
• 47% say cost-related changes and ease of setup would be the greatest motivators for moving their IT to the cloud.
• NGOs in Egypt, Mexico, India, and South Africa have the most accelerated timetables for moving their IT to the cloud.

Leveraging the resources of TechSoup Global’s 36 partner organizations and more than 200,000 registered member organizations, the survey was translated into 21 languages. It includes statistically significant results (more than 100 responses) from 26 countries around the world.

“TechSoup Global is thrilled to better understand how and why cloud computing can rapidly advance the causes of every social benefit organization in all parts of the world,” said TechSoup Global co-CEO Rebecca Masisak. “By sharing the voices of NGOs with the sector as a whole, this survey will allow us to better use cloud computing to improve organizations’ effectiveness, collaboration, and access to data.”

“TechSoup Global has long worked to bring available technologies to nonprofit organizations. And this survey shows that the global NGO sector can do more to make the cloud easier by creating solutions that address the precise needs of organizations across the world,” said Dan Webb, TechSoup Global’s director of solutions and services.

The 2012 Global Cloud Computing Survey was conducted online using FluidSurveys, a product donated by Chide.it, a TechSoup Global donor partner.

To access the full report, visit www.techsoupglobal.org/2012-global-cloud-computing-survey. Details on responses by country are available in the appendix of the full report.

About TechSoup Global

TechSoup Global is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit social enterprise working towards the day when every nonprofit, library, and social benefit organization on the planet has the technology knowledge and resources it needs to operate at its full potential. TechSoup Global was founded in 1987 on the belief that technology is a powerful enabler for social change. Today, it has over 200 employees and an annual budget of US$33.5 million. It operates programs in Africa, the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East through a network of independent capacity-building non-governmental organizations. With support of leading technology companies — including Microsoft, Adobe, Cisco, and Symantec — TechSoup Global and its network have reached more than 384,000 organizations, including more than 46,000 organizations outside the United States; distributed more than 10 million technology products; and enabled recipients in 58 countries to save more than US$3.2 billion in IT expenses (as of 8/31/12). For more information about the TechSoup Global Network and its programs visit www.techsoupglobal.org.