*By Leonardo Melo Lins
The use of cloud computing is increasingly common today in many organizations. Most of the software services offered are made available via the cloud, and storing files and data on a physical device is a thing of the past. Two anecdotal examples help us recognize the current moment: when was the last time you needed a CD to install some software? The other example is intended to be more recent: what about the disappearance of devices such as pen-drives? I recently witnessed a situation where a pen-drive was needed to move files and the general perception that we no longer have these devices scattered everywhere was interesting.
In addition to facilitating the exchange and mobility of information, cloud services play a role in facilitating digital transformation, as they enable the processing and analysis of large volumes of data, as well as the operation of various automated services that we observe in the most diverse organizations. . In this article, the objective is to discuss the use of cloud services in three types of organizations: public bodies, healthcare establishments and companies. The data used comes from research ICT Electronic Government, ICT Health and ICT Companies, conducted by Cetic.br.
The cloud service most used by the Brazilian public sector is “cloud file storage or database”, present in 64% of public bodies that have an IT area, followed by the use of “cloud email. It is interesting to note that there is greater use of cloud services at the federal level than at the state level and that these services are related to the use we discussed at the beginning: most of the use involves moving to the cloud to the detriment of the physical environment, with much more an adaptation of companies that offer services rather than the actual development of training. An example of this situation is that only 27% of public bodies have contracted “cloud processing capacity”, a basic requirement to leverage the digital transformation of the services offered.
Graph 1 – Federal and state public bodies that contracted cloud computing services, by type of service (2021)
Total federal and state public bodies with an information technology area or department (%)
The situation in the health sector is not so different from that observed in the public sector, with use related to the provision of services, but with a marked advantage of private health establishments. Focusing on more complex cloud services, among healthcare establishments that have an IT area, 41% stated that they use “cloud processing capacity”, especially in private establishments focused on diagnosis and therapy support services. It is interesting to note the distinction in the administrative sphere in the use of “file storage or database in the cloud”, present in 46% of public establishments and in 66% of private establishments.
Graph 2 – Healthcare establishments that used cloud services (2022)
Total of healthcare establishments that have an information technology department or area
Among companies, a situation similar to the cases observed so far is observed, with widespread use for everyday services, but little presence of more complex cloud services. Only 29% of companies stated that they use “cloud processing capacity”, the majority of which are large companies[1]. Another piece of information that reinforces the nature of the solution offered by the market in the use of cloud is that 44% of companies used “cloud security software”, with this being most used by large companies (76%). More complex uses such as shared environments for testing do not reach the 22% of companies. In general, as expected, there is greater diversity of use among large companies and a very incipient moment in small ones.
Graph 3 – Companies that paid for cloud services, by type (2021)
Total companies that used the Internet (%)
What the data discussed shows is that there is a long way to go for a transition to the cloud, in which the most diverse organizations will offer their services more efficiently, as well as maintain part of their operations in a more secure digital environment. There is undoubtedly room for the growth of cloud services, but creative solutions will be needed to make the most diverse organizations recognize their importance.
There are challenges from the most diverse sources for expanding the use of cloud services, especially investment capacity and connectivity that supports the needs of an automated operation. Most organizations make basic use of the internet, with little online exposure and connections intended only to carry out everyday activities, not so different from the uses of an individual. There is also the challenge of overcoming a certain tradition of using paper information, especially in the case of healthcare establishments that do not have electronic medical records and small companies that do not use the connection to assist their tasks.
The advancement of cloud services is a guarantee of efficiency in the services of the most diverse organizations, be they private companies, healthcare establishments or government bodies, being important both to generate gains within the paradigm of the digital economy, and to guarantee fundamental rights.
*Leonardo Melo Lins is a Researcher at think tank from ABES, member of the IEA/USP Post-Doctoral Program and Analyst at Cetic.br | NIC.br
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[1] It is worth noting that the indicators for the use of cloud services in the ICT Business, ICT Health and ICT Electronic Government survey are prepared using as a reference the survey on the use of ICTs in European companies conducted by the European Statistics Office (Eurostat). In the ICT Companies survey, it was decided to use the entire list of cloud uses, seeking to more broadly characterize uses in the country and enabling a more complete comparison with European countries.
Notice: The opinion presented in this article is the responsibility of its author and not of ABES - Brazilian Association of Software Companies
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