This IDC study presents an insight into the attitudes of retail companies in select CEE countries toward cloud computing based on a survey whose goal was to ascertain the degree to which these organizations are using, or plan to use, cloud computing. While cloud computing has become a phenomenon in recent years, IDC discovered in its recent end-user survey that awareness of the model among retailers is still limited in CEE. Moreover, cloud is not a priority, with more than half of the interviewed representatives declaring that they have no budget specifically allocated to cloud computing. On the other hand, many of them believe that deploying cloud services in their companies could reduce IT staff and save money.

"CEE retailers are cautious in the adoption of new information technologies – particularly those that look like the same old technology dressed in new clothes. While cloud may be more than shared services meet outsourcing, CEE retailers still need to be convinced of that. With this in mind, cloud providers should toss aside the generalizations of hype-based marketing and deliver specific and realistic examples of how cloud has saved time and money at given stores. In also addressing security and regulatory concerns, these case studies would demonstrate – rather than merely describe – the flexibility and benefits of cloud." Senior Research Analyst Hana Chmelova, IDC CEMA