Techaisle SMB Cloud Computing Channel

CLOUD COMPUTING SMB CHANNEL PARTNERS NEED HELP FROM VENDORS

San Jose, CA, June 8, 2011: Techaisle's research study on "Channel View- Trends & Challenges in offering SMB Mobility, Cloud, & Managed Services Solutions" shows that 38 percent of VARs, ISVs, and SPs currently offer SMB cloud computing solutions. Another 11 percent plan to begin offering cloud computing solutions in 2011.

While 12 percent currently offer all four types of cloud computing services, namely, Infrastructure & Platform (IaaS/PaaS), Communications (CaaS), Business Productivity (SaaS), and Industry Vertical, the percentage is expected to grow in response to SMBs' strong desire to obtain all services from the same channel partner.

Over 50 percent of SMBs are looking for cloud based industry vertical solutions but currently only 28 percent of cloud computing SMB channel partners offer them. Techaisle expects this gap to narrow over the next two years as channel partners gain knowledge & experience about the SMB wants and needs, vendors create an educational platform and SMBs also find relevancy in horizontal cloud applications.

The research study is based on comprehensive and extensive primary research with VARs/SIs, Service Providers, and ISVs. The main objective of the study was to understand current & planned offerings and issues being faced by channel partners in addressing cloud, mobility, and managed services solutions needs of SMBs. Findings presented in the report include many disconnects between channel offerings and SMB wants and needs including what vendors could do to help their channel partners. The research data also helps in determining the migration path of channels between mobility, cloud computing, and managed services and how vendors can help identify and accelerate those paths.

Among the cloud computing applications, CRM and email services are the most offered current cloud computing solutions while storage, backup and hosted software platforms are the most planned offerings. On an average, a channel partner currently offers 4.3 cloud solutions to SMBs. Among those that plan to offer cloud computing, they have aspirations of offering a minimum of 4.0 cloud solutions.

Regarding the reasons for offering cloud computing, 57 percent of the channels say that they are doing so because the industry itself is moving in that direction, whereas another 31 percent mention that vendors are pushing them into cloud solutions.

These channel partners require help from their vendors to be a successful cloud solutions partner. Besides providing 24X7 customer support, 53 percent of channel partners mention that vendors should provide a strong SLA for application availability to improve channel partners experience of deploying cloud solutions. Inability to provide better ways to integrate with existing infrastructure and applications is another common complaint being heard from the channel partners.

About Techaisle
Techaisle is a global SMB IT Market Research and Industry Analyst organization organization tracking the Future of SMBs and Channels. Each of Techaisle's Senior Analysts has been with major research companies such as IDC and Gartner. Techaisle conducts surveys with SMBs and channels to understand market trends, opportunities, buying behavior, purchase intent, and IT priorities. Besides delivering forward looking analysis on emerging technologies such as SMB cloud computing, managed services, and mobility, its channel research coverage provides in-depth understanding of resellers and distribution channels globally. Techaisle offers its clients six major services: SMB Syndicated Research, Custom Consulting, Worldwide IT Market Opportunity Sizing, Channels Research, Reseller Universe Sizing and Market Segmentation. For more information on Techaisle or its global products/services, please visit www.techaisle.com

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