Psychological factors may play a part in successfully implementing cloud technology, new research has claimed.

A report from the national software engineering research centre Lero has identified a number of barriers to businesses using cloud services, including security and privacy issues, bandwidth and connectivity, and perception of the cloud.

The cloud allows businesses and consumers to access applications such as productivity software, email services and storage, through the internet.

Barriers

But the report found that although many people may regularly carry out financial transactions online, the use of the word “cloud” can spark a negative reaction.

The research, carried out by Lorraine Morgan and Kieran Conboy at NUI Galway, also highlighted convincing IS/IT management and employees to use the cloud, along with integration, as some of the other barriers to bringing in the services to businesses successfully.

The report highlighted managers in particular as worried that the introduction of such services, which can streamline internal processes, could lead to their jobs becoming obsolete.Employees and senior management can also be resistant.

“This is particularly the case if there is a lack of understanding on how it will affect their work,”said Dr Conboy. “For example, there may be unfounded fears of eventual downsizing even though higher productivity as a result of the cloud can boost company prospects and job security.”

Both service providers and customers of cloud companies were surveyed for the report.

The market for public cloud services is set to increase by 19 per cent this year, totalling $109 billion, according to research firm Gartner. Forecasters predict a market worth $207 billion by 2016.