The mid-market and enterprise remain cautious about controlling the hardware and software, but have not ruled out the cloud and see it as a complement to on-premise technology, according to the survey.

This comment from one respondent suggests as much:

"I don't foresee the cloud as replacing the traditional use model we have now, but rather augmenting it. The cloud is a way to share data across many devices, enabling a user to work anywhere at any time in the most efficient manner. It doesn't replace the need for high performing, well designed, and low latency local applications and end user support."

As for the immediate future of the cloud, it will evolve as small companies turn into big ones and compliance regulations slowly adapt to the cloud model, says Baretz. "SMBs will grow and bring with them the cloud services that they started out with."

In addition to low cloud adoption numbers, the survey revealed another surprise: the acceptance and practice of telecommuting has remained flat over the past two years.