Consumer Cloud Computing

Web-based Applications for E-Mail, Document Storage/Sharing, PC Protection, and Backup

Research Report

The concept of Cloud Computing involves the provision of web-based applications in place of local software and services, which can provide unlimited off-site storage and software applications similar to those most frequently used by consumers. The value proposition is that the consumer does not have to buy the software, but can access it for free (or for a small monthly fee) via any web browser, which also permits consumers to access their content from any Internet-connected computer. Such services also provide access to new or upgraded versions of these applications as they become available at no additional fee, and ultimately provide the consumer with peace of mind that a hard drive failure or other catastrophic event will not result in irretrievable loss of prized data.

This study provides the results of a survey of US consumers aged 18-55 on their familiarity with, and usage of, cloud computing applications. Based on those results, the study forecasts adult US consumer uptake of cloud computing applications from 2009 to 2015.

Table of Contents

  • Executive Brief: Top-Line Forecast
  • Executive Brief: Drivers
  • Executive Brief: Inhibitors
  • Executive Brief: Market Share
  • Executive Brief: Summary and Strategic Recommendations
  • 1. Executive Summary
    • 1.1. What Is Cloud Computing?
    • 1.2. Why Would a Consumer Use Cloud Computing Applications?
    • 1.3. Which Cloud Computing Applications Are Available to Consumers?
    • 1.4. Consumer Survey Results
      • 1.4.1. Which Cloud Computing Applications Do Consumers Use?
      • 1.4.2. Which Cloud Computing Applications Do/Will Consumers Pay for?
    • 1.5. How Many Consumers Use Cloud Computing Applications?
  • 2. Technology Overview
    • 2.1. What Is Cloud Computing?
    • 2.2. What Are the Benefits of Cloud Computing?
    • 2.3. Why Would a Consumer Use Cloud Computing?
      • 2.3.1. Because He/She Owns a Netbook
      • 2.3.2. To Avoid Buying the Software
      • 2.3.3. To Access Content from Multiple Locations
      • 2.3.4. To Safeguard against Data Loss
    • 2.4. Which Applications Are Available to Consumers via Cloud Computing?
      • 2.4.1. Suites
        • 2.4.1.1. DocQ
        • 2.4.1.2. Google Apps
        • 2.4.1.3. iWork.com
        • 2.4.1.4. Zoho.com
      • 2.4.2. Productivity Applications
        • 2.4.2.1. Foxit On Demand Content Management
        • 2.4.2.2. PDFVUE
      • 2.4.3. Online Data Storage, Remote Access, and Collaboration
        • 2.4.3.1. Backblaze
        • 2.4.3.2. Carbonite
        • 2.4.3.3. FilesAnywhere
        • 2.4.3.4. GoToMyPC
        • 2.4.3.5. IDrive
        • 2.4.3.6. Keepit
        • 2.4.3.7. Memopal
        • 2.4.3.8. Microsoft Live Mesh Beta
        • 2.4.3.9. Mozy
        • 2.4.3.10. Norton Online Backup
        • 2.4.3.11. Picasa/Picasa Web
      • 2.4.4. E-mail
        • 2.4.4.1. AT&T; Webmail
        • 2.4.4.2. Google Gmail
        • 2.4.4.3. Hotmail
        • 2.4.4.4. Yahoo! Mail
        • 2.4.4.5. Zoho Mail
      • 2.4.5. Instant Messaging, VoIP
        • 2.4.5.1. Google Talk
        • 2.4.5.2. Yahoo! Messenger
  • 3. Business and Regulatory Issues
    • 3.1. Why NOT Use Cloud Computing Applications?
      • 3.1.1. Cost
      • 3.1.2. Security/Privacy Concerns
    • 3.2. The Government Response
      • 3.2.1. Government Participation
    • 3.3. Industry Support
    • 3.4. Consumers' Place in the Cloud Business Model
  • 4. Market Outlook
    • 4.1. Consumer Survey Methodology
    • 4.2. Consumer Survey Respondent Demographics
    • 4.3. Survey Respondent Technology Demographics
      • 4.3.1. Activities Performed with a Computer
    • 4.4. Consumers and Cloud Computing Applications
      • 4.4.1. Familiarity with Cloud Computing Applications
      • 4.4.2. Use of Cloud Computing Applications
      • 4.4.3. Reasons for Using Cloud Computing Applications
      • 4.4.4. Potential Use of Cloud Computing Applications
    • 4.5. Forecast Data Methodology
    • 4.6. Forecasts
      • 4.6.1. US Population and Adult Internet Users
      • 4.6.2. US Cloud Computing Application Users
      • 4.6.3. Online Backup/Storage Revenue Forecast
  • 5. Company Profiles
    • 5.1. Apple Inc
    • 5.2. Backblaze
    • 5.3. Carbonite Inc
    • 5.4. FilesAnywhere
    • 5.5. Foxit Corporation
    • 5.6. Google
    • 5.7. IDrive
    • 5.8. Keepit A/S
    • 5.9. Memopal
    • 5.10. Microsoft Corporation
    • 5.11. Mozy
    • 5.12. Symantec Corporation
    • 5.13. Yahoo! Inc
    • 5.14. ZOHO Corp
  • 6. Industry Listing
  • 7. Acronyms

Tables

Log in to view the structure of the tables below.

  1. Use of Cloud Computing Applications, Percentage of Respondents by Age
  2. Amount Paid for Most Used Cloud Computing Applications, Percentage of Respondents by Age
  3. Willingness to Consider Use of, and Pay for, Cloud Computing Applications, Percentage of Respondents
  4. Cloud Computing Application Users, Ages 18-55, United States, Forecast: 2009 to 2015
  5. Netbook Shipments by Country and Customer Type, North America, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  6. Comparison of Consumer Cloud Computing
  7. Activities Performed on Computers, Percentage of Respondents by Age
  8. Adult Users of Any Cloud Computing Applications, Ages 18-55, United States, Forecast: 2009 to 2015
  9. Online Storage/Backup Cloud-Based Application Revenue, United States, Forecast: 2009 to 2015
  10. Broadband Penetration, Global, Historic: 1997-2002
  11. Familiarity with Cloud Computing Applications, Percentage of Respondents by Age
  12. Use of Cloud Computing Applications, Percentage of Respondents by Age
  13. Reasons for Using Cloud Computing Applications, Percentage of Respondents Who Use at Least One Cloud Application by Age
  14. Cloud Computing Applications Respondents Would Consider Using, Percentage of Respondents by Age
  15. Total Population and Internet Users Ages 18-55, United States, Forecast: 2009 to 2015
  16. Cloud Computing Application Users, Ages 18-55, United States, Forecast: 2009 to 2015
  17. E-mail-Only Cloud Computing Application Users, Ages 18-55, United States, Forecast: 2009 to 2015
  18. Online Storage/Backup-Only Cloud Computing Application Users, Ages 18-55, United States, Forecast: 2009 to 2015

Charts

  1. Demographics of Survey Panel
  2. Usage of Cloud Computing Applications
  3. Cloud Computing Application Users
  4. Netbook Shipments by Country, Customer Type
  5. 2009 Personal Pre-Tax Income of Survey Respondents
  6. Educational Attainment of Survey Respondents
  7. OS Use by Survey Respondents
  8. Activities Performed on Computers
  9. Familiarity with Cloud Computing Applications
  10. Cloud Computing Application Users