EMEA organizations still face challenges with storage costs as 50% of cloud storage expenses in the region are attributed to data access and usage fees rather than capacity, as reported by the 2024 Global Cloud Storage Index from Wasabi Technologies.
Despite this, EMEA companies recognize the benefits of cloud storage services and intend to increase their investment in 2024 to support IT projects such as application and infrastructure migration, as well as to enhance business and operational initiatives like digital transformation and modernization.
Commissioned by Vanson Bourne, the Wasabi Global Cloud Storage Index delves into the shifting attitudes towards public cloud storage adoption, factors influencing storage purchasing decisions, and the market’s key priorities. The survey included 1,200 global IT decision makers involved in their organizations’ storage strategies.
Andrew Smith, senior manager of strategy and market intelligence at Wasabi Technologies, noted, “Organizations worldwide are ramping up their utilization and budgets for public cloud storage solutions, with Europe following suit.”
EMEA businesses allocate a higher portion of their cloud storage budgets to fees compared to the global average. On average, EMEA organizations spend 50% of their cloud storage budget on fees rather than capacity, with the UK at 48% and Germany at 51.5%. In 2023, the majority of EMEA respondents exceeded their cloud storage budgets, with France, the UK, and Germany showing varying levels of excess.
Europe demonstrates a strong “cloud-first” approach to IT services adoption, with 44% of respondents favoring this strategy. When selecting a cloud storage provider, EMEA organizations prioritize integrations with third-party apps, security and compliance features, and sustainability. Additionally, EMEA is exploring the adoption of multiple cloud storage providers to avoid vendor lock-in.
AI/ML technology adoption is on the rise in EMEA, with 99% of respondents having adopted or planning to adopt AI/ML in 2024. However, new cloud storage challenges are anticipated, including the need to store data across various locations and address backup, protection, and migration requirements.
Jon Howes, VP & GM of EMEA at Wasabi Technologies, emphasized the growing trend towards off-premises cloud storage solutions, driven in part by AI/ML applications. However, concerns over fees and vendor lock-in present challenges for cloud-first organizations in EMEA.
For the full 2024 Wasabi Global Cloud Storage Index, visit the provided link. APAC findings from the index are also accessible.
Methodology: Wasabi collaborated with Vanson Bourne to survey 1,200 IT decision makers involved in public cloud storage purchases. The research was conducted in November and December 2023 across organizations with over 100 employees in various sectors.
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