Research
Cloud Computing Study
Insight into cloud computing trends among technology decision-makers, including usage and plans across multiple cloud services, investments, business drivers and shifting services and applications to the cloud.
Read the executive summary
of IT decision-makers agree that their organization has accelerated its migration to the cloud over the past 12 months
agree that their organization is defaulting to cloud-based services when upgrading or purchasing new technical capabilities
agree that cloud capabilities helped their organization achieve increased and sustainable revenue this past year
Key findings
Industry-specific cloud solutions that drive business value
Cost efficiency is the leading benefit IT decision-makers associate with industry-specific cloud solutions, with 48% citing it as their top appeal, according to the Foundry Cloud Computing Study, 2026. For tech marketers, this is a clear signal: buyers are moving beyond generic cloud capabilities and seeking solutions that align closely with their industry’s operational challenges, regulatory requirements, and business outcomes.
But cost efficiency isn’t the only benefit driving demand. Cloud buyers also value solutions that strengthen security and governance, improve processes and workflows, and enhance application performance and scalability. These benefits reflect a broader shift toward solutions that fit. Whether it’s streamlining compliance or optimizing workflows, cloud investments are being driven by outcomes that are industry-specific by design.
Cloud strategic priorities: AI, security, and infrastructure
Cloud buyers are making bold moves and tech marketers should take note. AI and machine learning top the list, with 56% of IT decision-makers saying these capabilities will increase in strategic priority over the next 12 months. This signals a growing interest in intelligent automation, predictive analytics, and scalable innovation.
Close behind, 47% say cloud security capabilities will increase in strategic priority, reinforcing the need for solutions that protect data and ensure compliance in increasingly complex environments. Other key areas include storage, databases, and multicloud management, showing that cloud buyers are investing across the stack.
Cloud adoption is surging, but challenges are slowing momentum
Cloud adoption continues to accelerate, but IT decision-makers are facing real obstacles that tech marketers need to understand. 94% of ITDMs have encountered barriers to cloud adoption in the past year, with budget and cost control (47%) topping the list.
Security and compliance concerns (44%), performance and reliability (38%), and integration and migration challenges (34%) are also major hurdles. But the most pressing challenge is financial: cloud buyers are grappling with budget constraints impacting cloud adoption, long-term cost concerns, the complexity of managing multi-cloud environments, and limited visibility into cloud spend. Many report that their current tools simply aren’t enough to control costs effectively.
To address these issues, organizations are increasingly turning to FinOps practices—63% agree that FinOps has proved to be an effective tool for controlling cloud costs. Yet challenges persist: cost of data transfer (31%), pricing changes (30%), and unpredictable costs (29%) remain the top financial pain points, reflecting how difficult it is to maintain visibility and control across complex cloud environments.
Related resources
Cloud Computing executive summary
Research report provides insight on cloud trends including business drivers, investments, and challenges.
Cloud purchase process infographic
Bringing together data from Foundry’s cloud and buyer’s journey research, this infographic shares insight into the specific cloud computing purchase process.
Cloud audience
Foundry attracts a substantial audience of cloud-focused IT decision-makers. This active audience plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of cloud technology.