SAN RAMON, CA, September 13 -- First of its kind benchmark research just completed from Ventana Research shows organizations are adopting cloud computing and cloud-based software at a rapid pace. The research show that nearly 20 percent of organizations are already using it and 40 percent more plan to deploy it in the next 12 months. Using cloud computing allows organizations to rent and access applications easily and then have data created and stored underneath. While easy to get started it is not so easy to access and integrate the data for business purposes.

The research shows that while access and collaboration rank high among primary motives for cloud deployments, integrating on-site data complicates the process. Most organizations end up storing data across multiple disparate cloud based sources. Moreover, moving data is not enough; it must be integrated with other sources to enable analysis and decision-making by users. Two-thirds consider it important or very important to integrate cloud-based data with enterprise application data. About as many (69%) said it's important to integrate enterprise application data with cloud-based applications. But the process is not yet automated leaving business users with the task of integrated the data manually.

Additionally there is the concern of data integrity and risk. Only 21 percent of organizations fully trust cloud-based data; more than twice as many (46%) fully trust data from on-premises applications. Ventana Research undertook this research to better understand the difficulties and benefits organizations encounter with cloud-based adoptions and provide recommendations for improvements organization can work toward implementing in their future deployments.

"This new benchmark research finds companies have invested in the cloud but lack a core set of best practices in dealing with business data when doing so," said David Menninger, VP & Research Director, Ventana Research. "The research will provide these organizations with key insights and education on making business data in the cloud just one more source for data integration and synchronization to ensure the highest value from new cloud based applications investments."

Ventana Research will detail the findings of this benchmark research in a live interactive webinar on September 27, 2011 at 10:00 AM Pacific time that will discuss the research findings and offer recommendations for improvement. Key research findings to be discussed will include:

- Top insights and best practices that can be used today.

- How to address integrating data across cloud and enterprise.

- The current state, future direction of and potential investments in data management and cloud computing.

- Recommendations for organizations to act on immediately.

Register for the Webinar - http://www.ventanaresearch.com/BDCwebinar

Those interested in learning more about the benchmark research can find additional information at http://www.ventanaresearch.com/BDC/. The research was sponsored by Dell Boomi and was supported by media partners Business Finance Magazine, Information Management and Tech Target. As a part of your registration you will receive insights and education from Ventana Research on using technology effectively in business. You can also learn more about how Ventana Research can help organizations improve their use of cloud computing and business data by visiting http://www.ventanaresearch.com/.

About Ventana Research

Ventana Research is the most authoritative and respected benchmark business technology research and advisory services firm. We provide insight and expert guidance on mainstream and disruptive technologies through a unique set of research-based offerings including benchmark research and technology evaluation assessments, education workshops and our research and advisory services, Ventana OnDemand. Our unparalleled understanding of the role of technology in optimizing business processes and performance and our best practices guidance are rooted in our rigorous research-based benchmarking of people, processes, information and technology across business and IT functions in every industry. This benchmark research plus our market coverage and in-depth knowledge of hundreds of technology providers means we can deliver education and expertise to our clients to increase the value they derive from technology investments while reducing time, cost and risk. Our views and analyses are distributed daily through blogs and social media channel including Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Business Week's Business Exchange.

To learn how Ventana Research advances the maturity of organizations' use of information and technology through benchmark research, education and advisory services, visit www.ventanaresearch.com.

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Source: Ventana Research