Opportunities expand as more SMBs move towards Cloud

With recent studies presenting the high growth in cloud computing. Cloud-based services and analytics is leading to a strategic shift in the way traditional service lines used to function, with increased focus on non-linear growth, platforms and analytics.

As per Nasscom, with the advent of cloud, the next big opportunity is India's 47 mn SMBs who are able to rapidly bridge the technology adoption gap as they seek to accelerate growth, and increase competitiveness.

For instance according to Nasscom's Strategic Review 2014 report, the overall Indian software industry's revenues are estimated to touch $118 bn in FY2014-15, growing by 8.8 % over FY2013-14. Exports may grow by about 13 % in the current fiscal to $87 bn, driven by its ability to offer solutions that integrate new business models such as analytics and cloud-based services, which are part of cloud, mobile, analytics, big data and social media services (SMAC) with traditional ones.

According to Gartner, IT spending in India stands at $71.5 bn in 2013. IDC also found that the SMB segment accounted for 38 % of the enterprise IT spending in 2012, with this figure expected to rise to 43 % by 2015. Consequently, it is apt to say that cloud adoption by SMBs will be next industry booster in the coming years.

This proves that technology will continue to fuel the changes the way SMBs operate in their current environment. In the drive to be upbeat with the evolving technology, progressive SMBs are incorporating newer technology driven business savvy ways to reshape their business models. Their adoption of cloud, mobile, social and analytics will soar as they strive for both growth and agility.

Shifting to cloud opens up avenues for the partner ecosystem with opportunity to collaborate and develop a cloud-based strategy. This makes businesses more profitable, leading to enhanced profitability for customers, partners and large system integrators.