So cloud computing is the next big thing, right? You're probably planning pilot programs right now. But maybe you should pause and take a breath. A recent survey by Gartner reveals "many customers are underwhelmed by their current experience of cloud computing and sense that Sofware as a Service (SaaS) is not quite the panacea it often promised to be."

Of the 333 enterprises Gartner surveyed, 58 percent will maintain current levels of SaaS in the next two years. Thirty two percent will expand, 5 percent will discontinue and 5 percent will decrease levels. Those aren't exactly barn-burning numbers.

"Our research findings did not exactly provide a ringing endorsement of SaaS, in fact I would go as far as to say that satisfaction levels among SaaS users are little more than lukewarm," said Ben Pring, research vice president at Gartner.

Respondents who've thought of using SaaS, but decided not to, were asked what factors they considered in making the decision. Forty two percent cited high cost of service, 38 percent said difficulty with integration, and 33 percent said the solution didn't meet technical requirements. These findings contradict the general impression that SaaS could help alleviate costs and that it doesn't require much integration and technical requirements.

Intrigued? The entire report's only $1,295. Buy it here. 

--Don Willmott