More than half of large organizations see the cloud as a crucial driver of innovation

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WINMAG Pro Editorial Team

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Sat, 07 February 2026, 01:20

Read time: 3 min 0 sec

For six out of ten (58%) large organizations, the cloud is an important driver of innovation. This is evident from research by Microsoft Dynamics 365 expert Conclusion MBS, conducted among 300 IT decision-makers and influencers in organizations with more than 300 employees. A large majority (86%) have their IT landscape (partly) in the cloud, of which as many as 60 percent believe that the current environment is innovation-proof.

Obstacles to innovation

Only 14 percent of organizations indicate that their IT environment is not yet in the cloud. Of this group, 34 percent find their on-premise IT landscape suitable to support innovation. In addition to available technology, personnel challenges can also hinder innovation. Only half (53%) of IT decision-makers indicate that they have the right manpower for innovation. And for 14 percent of organizations, the desire to innovate is present, but they cannot get employees on board. There is still much to gain in this area.

Continuously innovating

That organizations are engaged in innovation is evident from the figures. Nearly three-quarters (72%) have implemented one or more major innovations in the past two years. This occurs in various areas. Most innovations took place in the area of processes (58%). Innovations for the organization itself (52%) and the product or service offering (40%) were also common. However, innovation is not attainable for every organization. For example, 21 percent of IT decision-makers have not implemented any major innovations in the past two years.

Rene Altena, Director of Strategy & Innovation and CTO at Conclusion MBS: "It is striking that only a small majority of IT decision-makers consider the cloud to be the driving force behind innovation. The cloud is not just a technological shift; it is the fuel for renewal. In the cloud, innovation opportunities are quickly available due to a constant stream of new features and solutions. Implementing a suitable ERP and CRM system in the cloud not only provides a solid foundation for innovation but also ensures flexibility. This allows you to continuously respond quickly to changes and stay ahead in the market. This significantly lowers the barrier to innovation. Do not forget that it is crucial to have the right manpower in addition to technological capabilities. When the necessary expertise is lacking internally, it is wise to seek that knowledge externally. This way, you do not have to set aside your innovation ambitions."

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