Dell EMC Survey: Federal IT Execs Single Out Cloud as Govt’s Top Tech Trend

A new survey backed by Dell EMC says 91 percent of federal market information technology leaders consider cloud computing as the top technology trend at their agencies.

Dell said Wednesday it commissioned market research firm Penn Schoen Berland to conduct an online survey of 100 federal IT and business decision makers in May as an extension to the State of IT Trends 2016 study.

The survey also found that 97 percent of respondents said their agencies have drafted strategic plans for their IT infrastructure, while 93 percent consider converged infrastructure and mobility as significant characteristics of a “future-ready organization.”

Nearly 70 percent of federal IT executives noted that their agencies recognize cloud services as their biggest IT spending priority in 2016, followed by data storage systems, according to the study.

“When it comes to a making a wise investment, hybrid cloud is an ideal approach for most agencies to take. As they support their future-ready needs, investment in scalable, agile, software-based environments will need to become a central part of IT plans,” Cameron Chehreh, chief technology officer for Dell EMC’s federal business, told ExecutiveBiz.

In addition to cloud, 44 percent of respondents said their agencies would invest in big data platforms in the coming year.

“Federal agencies largely appreciate the value of digital transformation, considering cloud, mobility and big data important to their organizations,” said Steve Harris, vice president and general manager of Dell EMC’s federal business.

Harris noted that such technology tools could help government agencies change the way they do business and interact with citizens.

Dell EMC is one of the eight businesses that operate under enterprise information technology company Dell Technologies, which was formed in September upon the completion of the Dell and EMC merger.