A recent SolarWinds survey reveals a troubling reality for cloud adoption: only 18% of IT professionals feel their existing cloud infrastructure meets business demands. This glaring gap between expectations and results highlights the persistent challenges many organizations face as they attempt to migrate to the cloud.

According to the survey of 272 global IT professionals, just 25% believe their cloud strategy is carefully planned and successful. Meanwhile, 23% confessed that their hybrid cloud environments had become overly complex and difficult to manage.

Despite these struggles, fewer than 22% of organizations have invested in external guidance to improve their cloud migration strategies, leaving many vulnerable to costly mistakes. Consequently, more than 16% of respondents reported moving workloads back on-premises, while another 12% acknowledged long-term financial consequences stemming from poorly planned cloud transitions.

Moreover, security concerns continue to plague cloud adoption efforts. Nearly half of those surveyed (46%) still store their most sensitive data on-premises, citing ongoing fears about cloud vulnerabilities. Yet, the drive to lower operational costs remains a priority, as evidenced by 29% of respondents indicating plans to prioritize cloud migration for cost-saving purposes.

Sascha Giese, global tech evangelist at SolarWinds, stressed the need for more effective strategies. “Managing today’s hybrid-cloud ecosystems is increasingly challenging,” Giese explained. “Without comprehensive planning and visibility, organizations risk falling into inefficiencies caused by tool sprawl and siloed information. By leveraging real-time observability and AI-driven insights, businesses can streamline operations and harness the full potential of their cloud investments.”

To address these issues, IT leaders must adopt strategic and informed approaches to migration. Through robust tools and advanced observability frameworks, organizations can overcome cloud challenges, ensuring their hybrid environments meet business objectives while reducing complexity.

This survey underscores the importance of preparation, signaling a critical need for smarter investments in cloud technology and management.