Every major tech company, distributor, and large SaaS provider is getting into the cloud marketplace game. And it’s only getting bigger. Analysts are positive that cloud computing will continue to grow in all areas, including software, hardware, IT outsourcing, and supporting the latest innovations.Forrester predicts the public cloud marketplace will reach $191 billion by 2020. This makes sense as cloud is a boon for companies that don’t live in the tech world, but need technology to run their businesses.
Traditionally, companies have to make huge investments in infrastructure and software in the name of technology. With the help of cloud marketplaces, they can access all the tools they need without having to pour capital into something that no longer has the same long-term benefits. Using the cloud and Managed Service Providers frees you, taking care of your IT needs offsite while you focus on selling your products.
Where cloud marketplaces fill the need
Startups and SMBs (small and medium-sized businesses) are the new driving forces of the economy, creating millions of new job opportunities. In an era where technology changes rapidly, these companies are struggling to compete and remain profitable. Purchasing every new technology out thereis not a viable option, and frequent costly tech upgrades are usually out of the question. This is where traditional IT markets step out of the equation and cloud-based markets step in.
When it comes to technology, everything boils downs to one word: Solution. Companies need better, faster, scalable solutions to address today’s dynamic business needs. Cloud-based computing services are addressing these needs. They cater to businesses that are turning to their services in order to generate higher revenues by overcoming tech challenges. With more companies joining the ranks of cloud service providers, the pool of options is expanding dramatically.
Open-source collaboration nets a better product
Cloud marketplaces are increasingly becoming open source in nature. Manyservice providers are combining talents to build better apps. Think of thecloud marketplace as a giant shopping center rather than a standalone store.Collaborations between tech companies are opening up great opportunities for businesses that want to leverage the services of one particular service provider while also trying out the offerings from other similar providers.That’s a huge payoff.
One of the biggest advantages of this model is that it lets you shop around for different applications instead of settling for a complete software package, which often includes unnecessary apps and services. This really takes cost-effectiveness to a whole new level.
Where is the cloud marketplace heading?
In one of our recent episodes of CloudTalk, my co-host Brian Fanzo and I spoke to Albert Qian, the Global Marketing and Communications Manager at Ingram Micro. We discussed the growth of cloud marketplaces and where they’re heading. Qian put forth an interesting statement, saying that “theecosystem is the future” of cloud marketplaces. Finally, it depends on how well these tech companies can build their network of partners through relationships that will spur innovations. This will determine the future evolution of the cloud marketplace.
This post was written as part of the Dell Insight Partners program, which provides news and analysis about the evolving world of tech. Dell sponsored this article, but the opinions are my own and don’t necessarily represent Dell’s positions or strategies.
Image: Creative Commons
Daniel Newman is the co-founder of V3*Broadsuite and is an experienced C-level executive, serving as a strategy consultant for small and mid-sized businesses. He’s also an insight/analyst partner to four Fortune 50 enterprises and previously served as the co-founder and CEO of EC3, a hosted IT and communications services provider. Prior to that, he served as the CEO of United Visual, Inc. in Chicago Illinois.
He is a widely published writer who contributes weekly to Forbes, Entrepreneur, Huffington Post and industry publications such as Commercial Integrator, Sound & Communication and Corporate Tech Decisions. He’s also author of three best-selling business books including The New Rules of Customer Engagement, The Millennial CEO, and just recently Evolve: Marketing (^as we know it) is Doomed.
Daniel has established a reputation as a leading thinker in topics such as Social, Big Data, Cloud and Mobile. He has been named to many top influencer lists in all of these areas, including recognition by the Huffington Post as one of the 100 business and leadership accounts to follow on Twitter. He is also an adjunct professor of management at North Central College.
