Fujitsu today endorsed a new report which confirms that cloud computing has crossed the chasm and is considered as a mainstream computing technology that can help drive business velocity. As a result, widespread business adoption of cloud technology is accelerating, according to the Cloud Vendor Benchmark 2012 from independent analyst firm Experton.

The analyst study shows that the majority of enterprises in central Europe now appreciate the business benefits of cloud-based technology as an IT service delivery model. Experton also highlights Fujitsu’s leadership position as a cloud provider in enabling firms to make the transition, with a full set of cloud offerings including more than 1500 customers already up and running on its Global Cloud Platform, and close to 100 SaaS (software-as-a-service) applications available in its Business Solutions Store.

Fujitsu sets the pace for Cloud

Fujitsu is a cloud pace-setter, with a number of initiatives over the past 24 months, including:

• The first zero-investment, revenue-sharing model to attract software partners (ISVs)
• A comprehensive and still-growing collection of SaaS applications (close to 100) available via the Fujitsu Business Solutions Store, providing customers an alternative to classic license models
• The completion of its $multi-billion Global Cloud Platform in 2011
• The launch of its Business Solutions Store (hyperlink to follow) in the spring of 2012

Validating the company’s ongoing Billion-plus dollar investment in cloud, the report positions Fujitsu as a strategic pace-setter and Cloud Leader in seven of eight categories, including the critical fields of Cloud Services (Managed Cloud, Managed Private Cloud, IaaS Public Cloud, SMBs, Enterprises), Cloud Technologies (Infrastructure) and Cloud Integration.

Business benefits

Cloud computing is providing a technology boost for companies of all sizes, while simultaneously reducing complexity and cutting infrastructure costs. By switching to cloud-based services and no longer needing to manage their own IT infrastructures, companies of all sizes can expect clear improvements in critical IT success factors such as system availability, unplanned downtime and employee productivity – as well as savings in system operation and maintenance.

Andre Kiehne, Vice-President Cloud at Fujitsu Technology Solutions: “Cloud computing has come of age as the fifth utility. It is now achieving widespread acceptance as a mainstream IT service delivery technology that companies of all sizes can understand and trust – just as they rely on the power socket, the telephone network and water supplies. Fujitsu’s leading ranking in the independent study by Experton provides validation for our investment in cloud infrastructure in order to better serve our customers as their needs continue to gravitate towards the cloud. For customers now starting to think about adopting cloud, Fujitsu is clearly a smart choice.”

Dr Carlo Velten and Steve Janata, Experton analysts: “One provider that has invested heavily in its own cloud portfolio over the past 12 months is certainly Fujitsu. As well as the ongoing expansion of its IaaS offer in general, the Business Solution Store is the most important innovation in its portfolio. Here, companies use the ‘pay as you go’ model to host their software on the Fujitsu Cloud. The selection and scope are so far limited only by the short period of time since its launch, but with collaboration, groupware and ERP solutions among the applications already available, this comprises the important applications needed by SMEs.”