View the results of an online survey about cloud-based collaboration tools and see how your experience compares with more than 100 IT leaders at small to midsize companies who participated in IDG’s May 2013 survey. Learn about the benefits their organizations have gained, which tools they use, and more.

1. DETERMINING
THE VALUE OF
CLOUD-BASED
COLLABORATION
TOOLS

2. MARKETING
RESEARCH
EMPLOYEE
ENGAGEMENT
A WORLD OF INSIGHTS
Research Services
Presented May 2013 on behalf of
DETERMINING
THE VALUE OF
CLOUD-BASED
COLLABORATION TOOLS

3. Cloud-based Collaboration Tools in Use
3THE VALUE OF CLOUD-BASED COLLABORATION TOOLS A WORLD OF INSIGHTS
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File sharing
tools/suites, email, and video
and audio conferencing are
the cloud-based
collaboration tools most
frequently in use.
71%
61%
51%
48%
41%
39%
22%
20%
4%
File sharing tools and suites
Email
Video and audio conferencing
Third-party social media sites (including
LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, etc.)
Instant messaging
Company portals (intranets)
Enterprise social for internal collaboration
Company-wide team sites, developed in-
house or by a trusted partner
Other

4. Primary Goals with Regard to Cloud-based
Collaboration Tools
Rapid access to needed
information is the top
goal with regard to the
use of cloud-based
collaboration tools.
72%
56%
44%
38%
37%
14%
12%
Enabling employees to locate
information quickly
Sharing information globally
Keeping employees informed on
company news and decisions
Exposing employees to new ideas and
innovations
Improving visibility into departments and
business units
Onboarding new hires more quickly
Other
4THE VALUE OF CLOUD-BASED COLLABORATION TOOLS A WORLD OF INSIGHTS
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5. Importance of Using Collaboration Tools that Provide a
Unified Experience for All Employees
The majority (77%) of
respondents consider it highly
important that the collaboration
tools in use at their companies
provide a unified experience
for all employees across
locations, devices and
applications.
19% Critical
59% Very
important
12% Somewhat
important
9% Not very
important
2% Not at all
important
5THE VALUE OF CLOUD-BASED COLLABORATION TOOLS A WORLD OF INSIGHTS
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6. Two in three respondents
report their organizations
have experienced better
communication within and
among employee teams as a
result of using cloud-based
collaboration tools.
Benefits Experienced as a Result of Leveraging
Cloud-based Collaboration Tools
68%
68%
45%
43%
40%
35%
27%
8%
4%
Better communication within and among
employee teams
Increased productivity
Reduction in information silos
Faster decision-making
More engaged/empowered employees
Improved customer service
Increased innovation
Other
None
6THE VALUE OF CLOUD-BASED COLLABORATION TOOLS A WORLD OF INSIGHTS
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7. Metrics Used to Measure ROI of Cloud-based
Collaboration Tools
If they use metrics at
all, organizations typically
measure the ROI of cloud-
based collaboration tools
by gauging the reduction
in time spent to respond to
customer or client
inquiries, as well as
tracking the reduction in
the amount of resources
needed to complete
specific projects or tasks.
40%
39%
35%
23%
3%
31%
Reduction in time spent to respond to
customer or client inquiries
Reduction in the amount of resources
needed to complete specific projects
or tasks
Reduction in time to complete specific
projects or tasks
Employee evaluations/surveys
Other
Not measured
7THE VALUE OF CLOUD-BASED COLLABORATION TOOLS A WORLD OF INSIGHTS
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8. Methodology and Research Objectives
Sample
Field Work May 13, 2013 –
May 20, 2013
Total Respondents 102
Qualifiers Employment at a company with
between 50-499 employees;
Involved in IT purchases (beyond
determining requirements)
Audience IDGE Research Panels
Collection Online Questionnaire
Number of
Questions
5 (excluding screeners and
demographics)
Method
Survey Goals
To gain insight into cloud-based collaboration tool use, specifically the type, importance, goals of use, and
impact these tools have had on organizations to date.
8THE VALUE OF CLOUD-BASED COLLABORATION TOOLS A WORLD OF INSIGHTS
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9. Total Respondents Organization Size
Job Title Breakdown Involvement in IT Purchase Decisions
Respondent Profile
102
Executive IT Management 31%
IT Management 31%
IT Professionals 7%
Business Management 26%
Other 4%
250-499 employees 28%
50-249 employees 73%
85%
80%
80%
76%
55%
49%
Determine the business need
Determine requirements
Evaluate solutions
Recommend and select
vendors
Sell internally
Approve/authorize
expenditures
9THE VALUE OF CLOUD-BASED COLLABORATION TOOLS A WORLD OF INSIGHTS
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10. IDG Research Services specializes in marketing and media-related research
for technology marketers. As a division of International Data Group (IDG), the
world's leading technology media, research, and event company, IDG Research
Services brings the resources and experience of a large, global company to its
clients in the form of a small, customer-focused business. For more information
please visit our website.
Janet King
GM/Vice President
Office: 207-847-9377
Fax: 207-847-9373
Email: janet_king@idgresearch.com
10THE VALUE OF CLOUD-BASED COLLABORATION TOOLS A WORLD OF INSIGHTS
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