While cloud computing has been touted as the next-generation architecture for enterprises, some channel players perceive it as a threat, cutting them out the channel supply chain and eroding their traditional product and value-added service margins, says Anamika Budree, Western Digital Branded products manager – South Africa.
However, one segment of the cloud computing market that has remained untapped is the small office home office (SoHo) market. This market presents an opportunity for the channel to access new customers, grow their market share and expand their business with offerings aimed directly at this fast-growing market niche.
Typically, the SoHo market feels more comfortable with their existing relationships with resellers for their computing needs and this creates an opportunity for resellers to sell tailored cloud computing solutions.
SoHo cloud offerings are often available on a per user basis or a subscription basis, or have the solution built directly into hardware. With the growth of connectivity and always-on devices, there is an increased requirement for content storage, sharing and access to files from anywhere in the world.
While public cloud solutions address these requirements, they only allow limited storage space for free and are simply not enough to store all personal or business content.
Additionally, security around private content being held in a public server in an undisclosed location is a major concern. In the enterprise space, organisations get around this by utilising private cloud infrastructure. However, building a data centre is simply not a viable option for the home or small business user.
As a result, solutions incorporating technology known as the “personal cloud” are a growing segment of the market. These are typically desktop hard drives with cloud technology built into the hardware, which enables users to securely store their content in a known location while giving them the ability to access and share this content from anywhere.
Personal cloud storage also extends the storage ability of mobile devices. A range of apps allow users to access the stored content on a variety of devices and platforms, including tablets, smartphones and PCs. This content can then be accessed and shared via the cloud, regardless of where the user is situated.
In closing, Budree believes personal cloud storage is one area of cloud computing where resellers can embrace the phenomenon without fear that it is eroding their markets or their business. As with all hardware, the channel is still a vital and necessary route to market for the vendors of these solutions.
However, one segment of the cloud computing market that has remained untapped is the small office home office (SoHo) market. This market presents an opportunity for the channel to access new customers, grow their market share and expand their business with offerings aimed directly at this fast-growing market niche.
Typically, the SoHo market feels more comfortable with their existing relationships with resellers for their computing needs and this creates an opportunity for resellers to sell tailored cloud computing solutions.
SoHo cloud offerings are often available on a per user basis or a subscription basis, or have the solution built directly into hardware. With the growth of connectivity and always-on devices, there is an increased requirement for content storage, sharing and access to files from anywhere in the world.
While public cloud solutions address these requirements, they only allow limited storage space for free and are simply not enough to store all personal or business content.
Additionally, security around private content being held in a public server in an undisclosed location is a major concern. In the enterprise space, organisations get around this by utilising private cloud infrastructure. However, building a data centre is simply not a viable option for the home or small business user.
As a result, solutions incorporating technology known as the “personal cloud” are a growing segment of the market. These are typically desktop hard drives with cloud technology built into the hardware, which enables users to securely store their content in a known location while giving them the ability to access and share this content from anywhere.
Personal cloud storage also extends the storage ability of mobile devices. A range of apps allow users to access the stored content on a variety of devices and platforms, including tablets, smartphones and PCs. This content can then be accessed and shared via the cloud, regardless of where the user is situated.
In closing, Budree believes personal cloud storage is one area of cloud computing where resellers can embrace the phenomenon without fear that it is eroding their markets or their business. As with all hardware, the channel is still a vital and necessary route to market for the vendors of these solutions.
Embracing
the cloud is not a very hard task. The hard part is to decide which vendor
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