News in the Channel - issue #7

CLOUD MARKETPLACES

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It starts with

the end user – some haven’t been quick to adopt cloud technology and still prefer to purchase in an old-fashioned way of purchase order, bank transfer subscribing through licence keys, this sort of thing.

partners is in the ‘as a service’ solutions (aaS) which are available through ArrowSphere. These allow them to be consumed as a managed service offering to end customers, for example, our Arrow Cloud Backup solution utilises leading technologies available through our marketplace. “ Paul Vogt, director, channel programs and strategies at Loftware, agrees adds that they are easy to get into. “In our experience It’s remarkably easy, because once the software is up there, it has to have gone through the testing and the setup, so that when I download software from the marketplace, all the APIs are already set up,” he says. That said, it should be noted that cloud marketplace adoption has not been universal, with some sectors lagging, says Paul. “Some businesses in the supply chain have been a bit slower to adopt,” he says. “They’ll have their CRM in the cloud, but they’re not yet ready to put their production, packaging or core warehouse data into the cloud. “It starts with the end user – some haven’t been quick to adopt cloud technology and still prefer to purchase in an old-fashioned way of purchase order, bank transfer subscribing through licence keys, this sort of thing. That’s why some in the channel has been slow is because their customers haven’t demanded it. “Plus, an awful lot of businesses in the channel are not big companies and it’s quite hard for them to shift their own systems and practises. But as we see it, it’s not going to be long until they do – probably within the next three to five years.” Continued development Indeed, it is expected that there will be continued innovation and development in

the cloud marketplace industry in the coming years. “Some of the areas where we expect to see significant development include improved integration with other business systems, more sophisticated analytics and reporting capabilities and increased automation of procurement and management processes,” says Phylip. “While the growth of AI will also likely help to streamline operations, Pax8 believes that building strong human to human relationships is vital for the future of cloud marketplaces. Being able to offer additional value to the MSP, such as providing networking opportunities or education masterclasses, enables distributors to become integral to their partners to help them grow their business in a highly competitive world. “As businesses continue to adopt cloud- based computing, the convenience, cost-effectiveness and flexibility of cloud marketplaces will become even more appealing. At Pax8 we believe that cloud marketplaces will become an increasingly important part of the cloud computing ecosystem and may eventually become the industry standard for cloud service procurement and management. “Distributors must adapt to change and look to find new and innovative ways to cater to evolving customer demands. With the traditional method of purchasing products and services becoming outdated, the implementation of consolidated billing and dedicated account managers is just the beginning. “Altogether, the channel must strive to push boundaries and provide maximum value for its partners and customers to generate long- term business success. We believe the best marketplaces are driven by community.”

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Paul Vogt director, channel programs and strategies

loftware.com