Cloud cover reduces visibility
Jinfo Blog

By Joanna Ptolomey

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I agree with Jan Knight’s view that the cloud still needs more explanation. 

A few months ago I was involved in some FreePint research where a question around some cloud computing techspeak – SaaS (software as a service) - was asked.  I interviewed about ten senior information professionals and only one was familiar with the concept – as Jan points out, perhaps a problem with the overuse of techspeak.

Jan also considered that this lack of familiarity with the cloud could be a problem with the SME sector where a lack of tech knowledge and affordability of expert IT staff could be the cause.  She may have a point but I have seen cloud growth in the giant healthcare sector slow and rumbling too – hardly a tsunami of growth and innovation and the uptake is patchy.

Perhaps a better word choice for healthcare cloud development should be cautious, but InformationWeek have been reporting this sector has now begun to seriously embrace the cloud concepts and possibilities.   However a 2010 survey report from Bridgehead Software indicated that clients are yet to be fully convinced of the appropriateness and belief in the cloud. There seems to be contradictory messages.

In the Bridgehead survey 70% of respondents were not using cloud services and a further 27% reported that they did not intend to adopt over the next two years.  The most significant barriers are around security and availability of data.  Another report by Accenture reported similar uptake by healthcare organisations but considered a further 73% market uptake will occur over the same two year period.  With contradictory data it is hard to pin down just how fast is the healthcare cloud market is growing?

It seems that the cloud is indeed in its infancy even for the giant healthcare organisations.   The cloud is being marketed as the next best thing – but for whom and what does it actually look like for users.  This article will be followed up with a closer look at the healthcare sector.  A sector that not only needs but requires serious security around patient records,  but also the ability to share that information too.  Can it also help with managing business processes and workflows in a healthcare environment too?

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