Press Releases

Cloud Computing

Cloud computing in Cyprus is becoming more and more popular among enterprises. In 2020, 34,6% of enterprises with ten or more employees bought Cloud Computing services. The main use of cloud computing services in enterprises is e-mail (29,8%), office software (24,9%) and storage of files (23,9%). (Figure 1)

The three cloud computing services mentioned above, are the most popular in all small, medium and large enterprises indicating that enterprise size does not affect the cloud computing services needs of the enterprise. (Table 1)

High Speed Internet connection

Almost seven out of ten (69,0%) enterprises with 10 or more employees in Cyprus have internet connection with speeds higher than 30 Mbit/s compared to 49,3% in 2019. During the last five years, a significant increase in highspeed internet connections has been observed. 37,2% of enterprises (10+) have internet connection speeds between 30 - 100 Mbit/s and 31,8% have connection speeds greater than 100 Mbit/s. (Figure 2)

Internet speeds lower than 30 Mbit/s have been dropping steadily over the years from 88,2% in 2015 to 26,6% in 2020. (Table 2)

E-Commerce Sales

In 2019, 16,4% of all enterprises received orders for goods and services via computer networks. 15,2% received orders for goods and services via websites or “apps” and 3,1% via EDI – type messages. 13,7% of all enterprises received orders for goods and services via the enterprise’s own websites or “apps” while 7,0% received orders via e-commerce marketplace websites or “apps” used by several enterprises for trading products. (Figure 3)

Internet of Things (IoT)

19,7% of enterprises declared that they use some kind of interconnected devices or systems (smart devices or systems) that can be monitored (controlled) via the internet (IoT). The IoT drops from 29,6% in large enterprises, to 25,0% in medium size enterprises and to 18,7% in small enterprises. (Table 3)

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Specialists

In 2020, 24,9% of enterprises (10+) employ ICT specialists. 81,5% of large enterprises employ ICT specialists compared to 50,7% and 19,8% of medium and small enterprises respectively. 10,7% of all enterprises recruited or tried to recruit ICT specialists during 2019. Applicants' lack of relevant ICT related qualifications from education and/or training and applicants' lack of relevant work experience were the two of the main difficulties faced by enterprises during the ICT specialists’ recruitment process.

Methodological Notes

Aim

The aim of the survey is to collect data about the use of information and communication technologies by the enterprises, the access and use of the internet, e-commerce, invoicing, use of cloud computing services, big data analysis, the employment of ICT specialists, the internet of things, the use of 3D printing and the use of robotics. These data are necessary for the implementation of policy programmes of both the Government and the Private Sector.

Coverage

The survey took place during January-July, 2020 and covered 1.768 enterprises with 10 or more employees in the following economic activities:

The survey covers all the government-controlled areas of the Republic of Cyprus.

Sampling

The sampling method used was stratified random sampling. Two variables were used for the stratification, NACE group (16 NACE groups) and Size (3 Size groups: Small enterprises (10-49 employees), Medium enterprises (50-249 employees) and Large enterprises (250+ employees).

Data Collection

The data collection was conducted with the use of a web-based questionnaire and through personal interviews with the IT manager of the enterprise. 

Reference Period

The data refer to 2020 unless otherwise stated.

Definitions

Internet connection speed: the maximum download speed according to the contract with the Internet service provider.

Electronic commerce (e-Commerce): An e-Commerce transaction is the sale or purchase of goods or services, conducted over computer networks by methods specifically designed for the purpose of receiving or placing of orders.

Computers: Includes personal computers, portable computers (e.g., laptops, notebooks, netbooks), tablets, other portable devices like Smartphones.

ICT specialists: Employees for whom ICT is their main job. For example, they are responsible for the development, operation or maintenance of ICT systems or applications. 

Cloud computing: refers to ICT services that are used over the internet to access software, computing power, storage capacity etc. These services are delivered from servers of service providers, can be easily scaled up or down, can be used on-demand by the user and are paid for.

Internet of Things (IoT): refers to interconnected devices or systems, often called “smart” devices or “smart” systems that collect and exchange data and can be monitored or remotely controlled via the Internet.

Further information:

Survey Results –Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Usage and E-Commerce in Enterprises Survey, 2020

Statistical Service (CYSTAT) Website, subtheme Information Society

Infographic

Contact

Constantinos Minas: Tel.: +35722602112, Email: cmina@cystat.mof.gov.cy

Eleni Christodoulidou: Tel.: +35722602142, Email: echristodoulidou@cystat.mof.gov.cy

(IK/II)