Nutanix, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTNX) a leader in private cloud, hybrid, and multicloud computing has released an analysis of its third global Enterprise Cloud Index survey showing how UK companies compare with the rest of the world when it comes to hybrid cloud adoption. While broadly similar on overall trends, this analysis shows significant differences in the implementation of hybrid cloud. Differences which place the UK ahead of the curve when it comes to moving to what is widely accepted as the ideal infrastructure model for enterprise IT.

Key findings:

Broadly in line with the global view, hybrid cloud was cited as the ideal operating model by 79% of UK respondents. In terms of the steps required to make that a reality, however, the UK was found to be one of the most advanced nations.

The predominant interim model is one of a non-integrated mix of datacenters plus clouds (public and/or private), with 26% of global respondents reporting this approach. In the UK, by contrast, the mixed model was found to be employed already by almost half (43%) of companies surveyed, second only to Germany (52%).   

Reliance on a traditional (non-cloud enabled) data centre as a principal IT resource is declining faster in the UK than elsewhere. Only 9% of UK companies still cling to this model compared to 18% globally. Given the present rate of change, this puts the UK a good 12 months ahead of the game, with non-cloud enabled datacentres set to disappear entirely within 5 years.

Although globally cost is no longer a major driver towards hybrid cloud adoption, 45% of UK companies still see it that way compared to an average 27% elsewhere. While this may restrict choice, it could also explain why 17% of UK respondents said they were already running hybrid cloud only, against 12% globally and 10% across EMEA. 

UK IT teams are a lot more enthusiastic when it comes to much prized app mobility between clouds. Only 19% saw this as a cloud management challenge compared to 35% of their global counterparts. These figures go some way to explaining why over half (53%) of UK companies expect to be running hybrid cloud only within 3 years, well ahead of the 35% global prediction. 

Lastly, the UK was also found to be ahead of the curve in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, the 2019 Nutanix survey found just 7% of UK respondents without any employees working from home on a regular basis compared to 27% globally. Jump forward to 2020 and the UK has fallen to zero for that metric with the rest of the world still playing catchup at 7%.

“Given their long history of early adoption, it comes as little surprise to find UK companies embracing hybrid cloud ahead of those in many other countries and also being well placed to cope with the new normal of working from home,” commented Dom Poloniecki, General Manager, Sales, Western Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa region, Nutanix. “However, it’s important to understand that it’s a marathon not a sprint. The real prize comes from building a flexible, scalable and agile infrastructure able to meet both the day to day needs of the business and any unexpected challenges that come along. Those that had invested in that before the pandemic struck are now reaping the rewards whilst others are still playing catch up.” 

For the third consecutive year, Vanson Bourne conducted research on behalf of Nutanix, surveying 3,400 IT decision-makers around the world about where they’re running their business applications today, where they plan to run them in the future, what their cloud challenges are, and how their cloud initiatives stack up against other IT projects and priorities. The respondent base spanned multiple industries, business sizes, and the following geographies: the Americas; Europe, the Middle East, and Africa; and the Asia-Pacific and Japan region.

To learn more about the report and findings, please download the full third Nutanix Enterprise Cloud Index, here.