CEOs are the key to unlocking Australia’s multi-cloud maturity, according to new multi-cloud research from VMware - TechInvest Magazine Online

New research from VMware suggests that Australian organisations’ level of multi-cloud maturity, and the related business benefits, could be tied to their CEOs’ engagement with the technology.

The VMware Multi-Cloud Advantage 2022 research report reveals that 35% of Australians surveyed believe the CEO or equivalent is or would be the primary decision maker when it comes to their organisation’s use of a multi-cloud approach – the third highest rate in Asia Pacific and Japan (APJ) – with 32% of local respondents saying that their organisation has a fully defined multi-cloud strategy.

The research also found that 57% of Australian respondents think their organisation’s CEO is extremely engaged in their company’s cloud use, while 49% suggest the CEO is or would be involved in the decision-making process when it comes to their organisation’s multi-cloud approach.

VMware’s research also indicates that a ‘cloud engaged’ CEO’s influence on cloud maturity within the organisation leads to positive outcomes for the business, with 82% of respondents from hypergrowth companies across APJ believing that their CEO is extremely engaged in the organisation’s cloud use, compared to 48% for medium growth companies.

“The VMware Multi-Cloud Advantage 2022 research report illustrates how an involved CEO can push cloud maturity higher,” says Brad Anderson, Vice President and Managing Director, Australia and New Zealand, VMware. “This can be the catalyst that drives the company forward to unlock the full potential of multi-cloud. Our cloud-smart CEOs are experiencing business benefits such as revenue acceleration, faster time-to-market and a better employee experience.

“While close to a third of Australian organisations have a clearly defined multi-cloud approach, not all local companies are at this stage. The research illustrates the enormous opportunity for organisations as they grow their multi-cloud maturity,” Anderson says.

Australia’s current multi-cloud position

The VMware research reveals that Australia claims a high proportion of CEOs who are engaged in the decision-making process around their organisations’ cloud use, a factor that may not only help to drive multi-cloud maturity, but also company performance.

• 98% of Australian respondents say the CEO is either extremely or somewhat engaged in their organisation’s cloud use – one of the highest rates of respondents in APJ.
• 49% of Australian respondents indicate the CEO or equivalent is or would be involved in the decision-making process when it comes to their organisation’s multi-cloud approach.
• 72% of respondents from Australia claim that their organisation has a fully or somewhat defined multi-cloud strategy.

What hurdles stand in Australia’s way?

While a ‘cloud engaged CEO’ has driven many Australian businesses towards multi-cloud maturity,  several challenges that are holding some local companies back from advancing their multi-cloud strategies remain, with the ongoing skills shortage in the country and security two major hurdles.

• 38% of Australian respondents indicate a lack of in-house talent to successfully implement multi-cloud is a challenge they associate with a multi-cloud approach.
• 45% of Australian respondents suggest increased cybersecurity risks are a challenge associated with a multi-cloud approach.
• 43% of Australian respondents say the different skills required for each cloud provider being used is a challenge to a multi-cloud approach.

The advantages of multi-cloud maturity

Despite the barriers some Australian organisations are facing when it comes to progressing their multi-cloud approach, the vast majority (83%) of Australians feel the benefits outweigh the challenges when it comes to their organisation’s multi-cloud today, with data security and profitability two major drawcards.

• 51% of Australian respondents agree that a multi-cloud approach increases security of customer data, and 57% agree it increases security of employee data.
• 95% of Australia respondents from private sector organisations say that their organisation’s multi-cloud approach has had a positive impact on revenue growth in the past year, while 95% agree it has had a positive impact on profitability.
• 54% of Australian respondents believe a multi-cloud approach can enhance employee flexibility.

A look across the region

The report also highlights the state of multi-cloud maturity across the entire Asia Pacific and Japan (APJ) region, showing how Australia compares to its regional neighbours while highlighting the link between a ‘cloud engaged’ CEO and hypergrowth, the benefits of a multi-cloud approach and the challenges to a multi-cloud strategy.

• 56% of APJ respondents say that a multi-cloud approach is critical to business success
• 82% of respondents from hypergrowth companies in APJ claim their CEO is extremely engaged in the organisation’s cloud use, compared to 48% of medium growth companies.
• 46% of APJ respondents say that their organisation does not have the skills to achieve or properly achieve multi-cloud