DUBLIN, February 25, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

83% of UK businesses have deployed cloud solutions for scalability and efficiency

eFax®, a leading provider of digital fax solutions, today announced the findings of independent research revealing that the majority of companies surveyed have moved business applications to a hosted services model to improve business productivity and reduce operational costs.

Of the businesses questioned, 83 percent said they use cloud technology, with 59 percent stating the main reason for this as flexibility and scalability.  45 percent of businesses also identified higher productivity and minimising costs as key reasons for adopting cloud models.

Paul Kinsella, General Manager, j2 Global® Europe,  commented, "What these statistics show is that although businesses are undoubtedly concerned with maximising profitability and reducing costs, they are also ready to invest in the right technology in order to grow. Flexible, accessible solutions hosted in the cloud are increasingly seen as the most cost-effective way to meet market demands and add value to the bottom line."

This perspective is reflected in the survey data, even among the 17 percent of businesses not currently employing cloud services: the majority of this group plan to adopt a cloud model in 2014.

The survey also looked at business pressures facing UK corporations today:  

• 55 percent cited higher customer expectations
• 54 percent identified the economic environment
• 53 percent flagged competitive pressures

"Despite green shoots in the economy," said Kinsella, "It's clear that savvy consumers and a crowded market place, are continuing to force businesses to do more with less.  These are long standing business issues. What is different today is what companies are doing to meet these challenges.  In an effort to streamline operations and boost productivity, UK businesses are turning to cloud services, with lower capital costs and rapid deployment cycles."

About the survey
The survey was carried out in October 2013 across 100 UK businesses with 1,000 or more employees. The survey was carried out by Vanson Bourne research on behalf of j2 Global. Results from the survey are available at efax.co.uk/newsroom.

About eFax®

eFax® is a brand and registered trademark of j2 Global, Inc. (NASDAQ: JCOM). eFax® offers a range of online fax plans perfectly suited for individuals, small businesses and corporate/enterprise users. Learn more at http://www.efax.co.uk.

About j2 Global™

j2 Global, Inc. (NASDAQGS:JCOM) and its affiliates provide Internet services through their two divisions: Business Cloud Services and Digital Media. The Business Cloud Services Division offers Internet fax, virtual phone, hosted email, email marketing, online backup, unified communications and CRM solutions. It markets its services principally under the brand names eFax^®, eVoice^®, FuseMail^®, Campaigner^®, KeepItSafe^® and Onebox^® and operates a messaging network spanning 49 countries on six continents. The Digital Media Division consists of Ziff Davis Inc., which offers technology, gaming and lifestyle content through its digital properties which include PCMag.com, IGN.com, AskMen.com, Toolbox.com and others. Ziff Davis also operates NetShelter Powered by BuyerBase, an advanced digital ad targeting platform, and Ziff Davis B2B, a leading provider of research to enterprise buyers and leads to IT vendors. As of December 31, 2012, j2 had achieved 17 consecutive fiscal years of revenue growth. For more information about j2, please visit http://www.j2global.com.

Contact details:
Clare Kelly,
BabelPR
j2@babelpr.com
Tel: +44(0)20-7434-5550

SOURCE eFax®