PwC Cloud Business Survey
Behind the curve:
An analysis of cloud
technology adoption in Switzerland
While many organisations are making the move to the cloud, few are positioned to fully leverage its potential. Why is this the case? Conventional wisdom reveals two significant barriers: data security and compliance concerns, as well as the technical and organisational hurdles involved in migrating from legacy systems to cloudbased platforms. But is this the full story? To get to the bottom of the matter and explore trends, PwC conducted a comprehensive study across the EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) region, with a focus on Western Europe.
Stuck between Swiss skies and cloud nine:
where are you?
This paper zooms in on the findings specific to Switzerland, offering both interesting and, at times, unexpected insights. We hope that the results of our research will inspire you to think further about your own cloud transformation and we look forward to interesting discussions with you.
Highlights of the five topics at the forefront of cloud development in Switzerland
1. Swiss cloud gap
Swiss companies trail significantly behind the US and EMEA in cloud adoption, as only 7% have fully implemented their cloud transformation. Larger firms are generally more advanced in adoption than smaller ones.
2. Elevating Swiss cloud maturity
Overall, Swiss firms are making targeted efforts to catch up in cloud maturity.
- 84% of Swiss companies plan to advance their cloud adoption within the next year, focusing on modernisation, cloudnative development, and considering industry-specific cloud solutions.
- 75% of firms fully committed to the cloud have an enterprise-wide data strategy, compared to just 40% of firms that are only partially committed to the cloud.
- 70% are adopting a multi-cloud approach, with 85% of those relying on one primary provider for most workloads.
3. Cloud’s promise and performance
Cloud computing is key for Swiss businesses, with one-third already benefitting and another 50% expecting gains within a year. Budget limits, tech constraints, and talent scarcity are the main barriers. The focus for the next year is on costsaving, productivity, and customer experience.
Who holds the reins: cloud spending decision-makers
Decisions about cloud investments within companies are typically made by multiple key individuals or committees. High on the ranking of roles involved in these decisions are the CEO, CISO, and CIO/CTO.
The prominence of the CISO in the decision-making process indicates that companies are increasingly grappling with compliance issues. While low maturity signals a current lack of experience and understanding of cloud adoption, the high urgency of the topic underscores the need to elevate it to a C-level priority.Cloud investment decisions are a collaborative endeavour involving top executives, particularly those responsible for technology and security, reflecting the high stakes and complexity of these investments.
4. Keys to cloud success
Swiss companies believe that cloud transformation is requiring a mix of specialised skills, with cybersecurity leading the priority list for 41% of surveyed firms. Other vital skills include cloud strategy, testing, and native development. Most companies plan to cultivate these skills in-house, building on existing know-how.
How to acquire the necessary skills?
It is noticeable that a significant portion of companies intend to develop the necessary skills in-house. This tendency could be driven by the perception that the skill gap is not too large and that the companies’ existing capabilities, acquired during their ongoing cloud journeys, are a good foundation. However, the main reason for developing key skills in-house is that specific knowledge related to individual cloud solutions is not readily available in the market.
Any remaining skill gaps, typically in areas of strategic and tactical nature – as well as in the clear communication of KPIs – can be filled by bringing in external expertise, such as from consulting firms.
"The time to act is now - and it has to be done with a keen eye on making the cloud a contributor to your company’s bottom line.”
5. The Swiss way: industry-specific clouds
Swiss companies lag behind EMEA in the adoption of industry-specific cloud solutions but aim to catch up over the coming two years. Those using such solutions report benefits like cost reduction and better time-to-alue, improved workflow efficiency, and stronger security features. Internal lack of support and expertise are seen as major challenges to specialised cloud solutions.
Swiss companies opt for industry-specific cloud solutions
How many clouds are in the Swiss sky?
In Switzerland, we must take cloud adoption seriously to remain competitive. If you are keen to navigate these challenges and capitalise on the opportunities that cloud technologies offer, PwC stands ready to provide the necessary expertise, skills, and guidance.
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We wish you an intersting read and please get in touch with our cloud and digital experts in case you want to discuss.
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Claudius Meyer
Rejhan Fazlic