Recent research highlights a disconcerting gap in SME attitudes towards Cloud adoption.

Results of an annual study by Easynet Connect show that whilst there is common understanding of the business benefits that a virtualised environment can offer, the number of SMEs with no plans to utilise the Cloud is on the increase.

Of the 251 people with responsibility for technology in small businesses that were surveyed, over a third stated that they have no desire to move their applications into the Cloud, an increase of 7% based on the results from 2010.

According to those businesses the key reasons they cite are protecting existing IT investments (stated by 29% of respondents), lack of awareness of options (25%) and no spare cash (20%).

Additionally the findings highlighted the need specialist guidance as less than half of respondents said they had a strategy in place for moving into the Cloud. Fewer still said they would be bolstering business continuity measures (37%) or their internet connection (30%) as part of their Cloud strategy.

Andy Horn, General Manager of Easynet Connect, said: "The challenging economy shows no sign of abating therefore it’s critical that businesses are proactively leveraging technology to make sure that they are as efficient as possible. The Cloud can really help here.

"The gap in attitudes that we’ve identified is in itself is worrying, however the low levels of planning – especially around the internet connectivity that SMEs will need in the Cloud – highlights the need for specialist advice and high quality solutions based on the latest fibre technology."