Software-as-a-Service Enterprise Revenues to Exceed $53 Billion by 2018, Juniper Research Finds

HAMPSHIRE, UNITED KINGDOM–(Marketwired – Apr 29, 2014) – A new report from Juniper Research forecasts that revenues generated from enterprise Software-as-a-Service will reach $53.5 billion in 2018, representing 59% of the enterprise public cloud computing market, rising from $23.2 billion in 2013.

Security & compliance concerns linger

According to the report, Cloud Computing – Enterprise Markets: SaaS, PaaS & IaaS, 2014-2018 — SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) will remain the dominant cloud model. This is due in part to the relative maturity and widespread acceptance of the model, as well as recognition of the comparative benefits and risks of commissioning cloud-based software. However, it argued that enterprise take-up of PaaS (Platform) and IaaS (Infrastructure) solutions has been adversely impacted by concerns over data security, compliance and portability.

PaaS and IaaS set to grow

Nevertheless, the report found, both PaaS and IaaS will experience significant growth over the forecast period as new applications, developed specifically for the cloud to harness workloads such as big data analysis, benefit from the PaaS ‘fast-track’ model. Service providers are increasingly providing multi-lingual support, and improving portability through initiatives such as Cloud Foundry, while consolidation of PaaS as an extension of other cloud services is showing a rising trend.

Meanwhile, IaaS is becoming increasingly attractive to SMBs (small-to-medium-sized businesses) and enterprises alike owing to a high level of control over the software stack and security implementation, alongside a growing understanding of the need for proper risk assessment.

Other key findings include:

• Confidence in the public cloud has suffered following Edward Snowden’s NSA (National Security Agency) revelations; obliging service providers to (re)build trust.
• Due diligence is essential for potential customers to establish if, and what services can be deployed in the cloud.

The whitepaper, Enterprise Cloud ~ Bringing Services to New Heights, is available to download from the Juniper Research website together with full details of the report and the attendant Interactive Forecast Excel (IFxl). Juniper’s highly granular IFxls enable clients to manipulate Juniper’s forecast data and charts to test their own assumptions, perform what-if analysis; and compare select markets side by side in customised charts and tables.

Juniper Research provides research and analytical services to the global hi-tech communications sector, providing consultancy, analyst reports and industry commentary.