Google: 2012 to be ‘huge year’ for SMB cloud

Cloud computing

Google is set to invest more heavily in the cloud as its enterprise division predicts big rises in SMB adoption for next year.

Amit Singh, vice president of Google Enterprise, wrote on the firm's blog this week that take up of cloud computing by SMBs in 2012 would be "huge."

After claiming the move towards the cloud was "inevitable" and listing Fortune 500 companies who were already on-board, he added: "We also expect that 2012 will be a huge year in the cloud for small businesses, which represent 99.7 per cent of all US employers, yet only 10 per cent of SMBs have deployed cloud technologies."

As such, Google will continue building on its cloud applications over the next 12 months to offer what business, both big and small, need from their web applications, operating systems or devices.

"Our computing experience is designed for today's world and built with entirely modern technologies far more powerful than the PC to benefit businesses of all sizes," wrote Singh.

"Our 100 per cent web focus lets us innovate faster while delivering best-in-class reliability, security and support."

On top of cloud development, he also promised further advancements in mobile and social technologies from Google.

"Cloud, mobile, social," added Singh. "Fast, lightweight applications that make it easier to work with others from anywhere. Those are the areas driving our investments for 2012 and transforming the way we work."

Jennifer Scott

Jennifer Scott is a former freelance journalist and currently political reporter for Sky News. She has a varied writing history, having started her career at Dennis Publishing, working in various roles across its business technology titles, including ITPro. Jennifer has specialised in a number of areas over the years and has produced a wealth of content for ITPro, focusing largely on data storage, networking, cloud computing, and telecommunications.

Most recently Jennifer has turned her skills to the political sphere and broadcast journalism, where she has worked for the BBC as a political reporter, before moving to Sky News.