The uptake of Grid technologies by European firms is following a similar pattern to that of early corporate Internet adoption, according to a survey from database vendor Oracle.
The Oracle Grid Index identifies the rate of adoption and implementation of enterprise Grid computing in Europe. The index consists of a single number, derived from research into the adoption and use Grid technologies.
Sergio Giacoletto, Oracle's executive vice president for EMEA, says: "On a scale of 1 to 10, European companies are at 3.1... In other words, European companies are 31% of the way on the path towards Grid computing. This is an encouraging sign."
The index is based on research, conducted by business and IT analysis Quocirca, among 603 corporate IT management respondents from Benelux, France, Germany, Italy, the Nordics, Spain and the UK. Oracle says responses to the first survey suggest that Grid Computing is following similar adoption patterns to the Internet.
According to the survey, financial services, retail and utility companies showed the highest commitment to Grid computing. Companies in the UK, Benelux, France and Germany were found to have above European average commitment to Grid technology.
Clive Longbottom, service director for Quocirca, says: "Those who have proactively investigated Grid Computing and related virtualisation technologies generally regard the benefits in terms of operational efficiency and improved service to users as compelling enough to drive adoption."