In The Know: Top 5 Must-Read Cloud Stories, March 31

Talkin’ Cloud at the end of each day pulls out five must-read cloud computing stories from the news cycle for its readers to review in the morning. Today’s column features Salesforce (CRM), Arrow Systems Integration (Arrow SI) and 8×8 (EGHT).

Some of these stories have been gathered from Talkin’ Cloud’s article database, while others have been collected from elsewhere. If we missed something, feel free to leave a comment below. We might just add it into the mix.

Here’s today’s list of must-read cloud computing stories.

When Wearables Meet The Cloud. It’s only a matter of time before solution providers across the channel are asked to develop applications that actually make use of wearables. With that in mind, one Salesforce executive is curiously awaiting to see what app developers create for wearable platforms using his company’s cloud platforms and APIs.

HostingCon Global 2015 Agenda Additions Revealed. Previous HostingCon attendees will notice several additions to this year’s agenda. One notable change is the event will have an extra day of technology and management workshops. These sessions will be longer than typical HostingCon sessions and will take a deep dive into topics that are important to every hosting and cloud professional. A general session has also been added to this day.

8×8, Arrow Systems Integration Partner For UC Solutions. Arrow Systems is now providing 8X8 unified communications (UC) and contact center solutions to its channel partners. The Arrow Electronics (ARW) subsidiary today began offering 8×8 Virtual Office telephony, Unified Communications and Virtual Contact Center services along with Virtual Office Analytics and Reporting tools, all on a single, consolidated invoice.

Rising Demand For Cloud-Based Video Conferencing Services, Study Says. Cloud-based video conferencing services are becoming more popular worldwide, according to a new Global Industry Analysts (GIA) report. And as a result, the cloud-based video conferencing services market could be worth $2.9 billion by 2020.

The VAR Guy Announces Release Date For Top 50 Channel Influencers List. It’s not easy to cut a channel influencers list down to only 50 people, but The VAR Guy (whoever he is) is trying his best to do just that. The VAR Guy’s Top 50 Channel Influencers list will be hitting the streets Monday, April 6. Thank you for your patience as The VAR Guy works to compile the inaugural list, culled from hundreds of nominations.

Follow CJ Arlotta on Twitter @cjarlotta and Google+ for further updates on the story above — or if you just want to say hello.