Adoption of Cloud CRM systems has risen to overtake traditional in-house solutions for the first time ever, new research has shown.

According to the survey of over 600 organisations by Really Simple Systems, 56% are using a Cloud CRM system, compared to 45% this time last year.

Confidence in Cloud solutions has also increased with 72% of respondents claiming to have more confidence generally than a year ago and 80% saying Cloud solutions require less IT support.

Only 15% of respondents admitted to still having reservations regarding adoption of Cloud systems, a decrease of 8% from last year’s figures.

John Paterson, CEO of Really Simple Systems, said: “With many advantages in the reduction of IT overheads, the removal of any system maintenance burden, low capex and the fact that Cloud systems offer business-critical information readily available at all times, from any computer with internet connectivity to provide more flexible working across the business, Cloud solutions continue to grow in popularity as business requirements and attitudes continue to evolve.”

Additionally, the survey showed that nearly two thirds of businesses are using n-house ERP/Accounting solutions (down from 69% in 2011) with 53% of respondents saying they would be confident in switching to a cloud solution when the time comes – a figure 5% up on last year’s 48%.

Paterson added: “For the first time, the majority of businesses surveyed are confident about Cloud ERP solutions. The implication of this shift is positive for the cloud sector as a whole as more as more businesses prepare to switch their business-critical traditional in-house software to reap to benefits of cloud solutions.”