https://www.channelfutures.com/wp-content/themes/channelfutures_child/assets/images/logo/footer-new-logo.png
  • Home
  • Technologies
    • Back
    • Analytics
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Cloud
    • Data Centers
    • Desktop
    • IoT
    • Mobility
    • Networking
    • Open Source
    • RMM/PSA
    • Security
    • Virtualization
    • Voice/Connectivity
  • Strategy
    • Back
    • Best Practices
    • Business Models
    • Channel 101
    • Channel Programs
    • Channel Research
    • Digital Transformation
    • Diversity & Inclusion
    • Leadership
    • Mergers and Acquisitions
    • Sales & Marketing
    • Specialty Practices
  • MSSP Insider
    • Back
    • Business of Security
    • Cloud and Edge
    • Endpoint
    • Network
    • People and Careers
    • Training and Policies
  • MSP 501
    • Back
    • 2020 MSP 501 Rankings
    • 2020 Hot 101 Rankings
    • 2020 MSP 501 Report
  • Intelligence
    • Back
    • Our Sponsors
    • From the Industry
    • Content Resources
    • COVID-19 Partner Help
    • Galleries
    • Podcasts
    • Reports
    • Videos
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
  • EMEA
  • Awards
    • Back
    • Excellence in Digital Services
    • 2020 MSP 501
    • Top Gun 51
  • Events
    • Back
    • CP Conference & Expo
    • Channel Partners Evolution
    • Channel Evolution Europe
    • Channel Partners Event Coverage
    • Webinars
  • Channel Mentor
    • Back
    • Channel Market Intelligence
    • Channel Educational Series
Channel Futures
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Home
  • Technologies
    • Back
    • Analytics
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Cloud
    • Data Centers
    • Desktop
    • IoT
    • Mobility
    • Networking
    • Open Source
    • RMM/PSA
    • Security
    • Virtualization
    • Voice/Connectivity
  • Strategy
    • Back
    • Best Practices
    • Business Models
    • Channel 101
    • Channel Programs
    • Channel Research
    • Digital Transformation
    • Diversity & Inclusion
    • Leadership
    • Mergers and Acquisitions
    • Sales & Marketing
    • Specialty Practices
  • MSSP Insider
    • Back
    • Business of Security
    • Cloud and Edge
    • Endpoint
    • Network
    • People and Careers
    • Training and Policies
  • MSP 501
    • Back
    • 2020 MSP 501 Rankings
    • 2020 Hot 101 Rankings
    • 2020 MSP 501 Report
  • Intelligence
    • Back
    • Our Sponsors
    • From the Industry
    • Content Resources
    • COVID-19 Partner Help
    • Galleries
    • Podcasts
    • Reports
    • Videos
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
  • EMEA
  • Awards
    • Back
    • Excellence in Digital Services
    • 2020 MSP 501
    • Top Gun 51
  • Events
    • Back
    • CP Conference & Expo
    • Channel Partners Evolution
    • Channel Evolution Europe
    • Channel Partners Event Coverage
    • Webinars
  • Channel Mentor
    • Back
    • Channel Market Intelligence
    • Channel Educational Series
    • Newsletter
  • REGISTER
  • MSPs
  • VARs / SIs
  • Digital Service Providers
  • Cloud Service Providers
  • CHANNEL PARTNERS ONLINE
 Channel Futures

From the Industry


What’s in a Name? That Which We Call the Cloud…

  • Written by Zenith Infotech 1
  • June 26, 2013

Shakespeare declared, “That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” He might be right about the flower, but in the cloud-sphere, I’m not so sure the same principle applies.

Shakespeare declared, “That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” He might be right about the flower, but in the cloud-sphere, I’m not so sure the same principle applies.

Lately, I’ve talked to many of my colleagues who are offering public or private cloud services. The thing that struck me was the variety of ways they are presenting these services to their customers. Some use “cloud” while others refer to “hosted” or “off-site” or “centralized” or “as-a-service” or … the list goes on.

If cloud is such a hot trend, why aren’t we shouting “CLOUD” from the mountaintops?

Is it because people don’t like the cloud? That doesn’t seem to be the case. CompTIA’s Third Annual Trends in Cloud Computing report (July 2012) reported that 85 percent of respondents feel “more” or “significantly more” positive about cloud computing compared to the previous year.

Is it because they don’t understand the cloud? That doesn’t seem to be an issue either, according to the CompTIA report. Compared to the previous year, cloud understanding has risen significantly. Ninety-one percent of IT staff say they are “familiar or very familiar” with cloud computing. We even see high understanding among business staff (79 percent), small firms (78 percent) and even executives (66 percent).

The issue for their customers is risk tolerance and comfort with change, according to my colleagues. People know what the cloud is and what it can do, and they think that’s great. But that doesn’t mean they’re ready to jump into the deep end.

  • Many businesses still aren’t sure that the IT industry has worked out all the kinks (remember ASP?).
  • The office server or computer works most of the time and your clients know that you can fix it or install new equipment when it dies (you’ve basically done almost too good of a job!).
  • At the end of the day, many clients are just not ready to completely turn their IT infrastructure over to a new model.

So MSPs are finding clever ways to promote the technology. They are using terms that are more comfortable to their customers: “This is just like terminal services, but without the hassle,” they say. “I can bring it up for you in 10 minutes and I’m just going to have it at my place, so you don’t need to deal with it. I’ll take care of everything.  Let’s just add the hardware and its support to your monthly charge from us and eliminate all of your worries.”

It’s familiar and convenient to customer, who may not even be aware that they’ve just moved to a cloud model.

For the IT provider, all of this is just the rose by another name, and the bottom line for their recurring revenues smells sweet indeed. But for the customer, the name really does matter. Because for some, the “cloud” seems rotten!

Richard Reiffer is Vice President of Cloud Services at Zenith Infotech and CEO of Global Cloud Consulting. Monthly guest blogs such as this one are part of Talkin’ Cloud’s annual platinum sponsorship.

Tags: Cloud Service Providers Digital Service Providers MSPs VARs/SIs From the Industry

Related


  • SASE-Security
    SASE: The Key to Mitigating Business Transformation Risk
    MSPs can leverage SASE to help clients mitigate new cybersecurity risks as they embrace cloud technology.
  • Public sector IT
    Public Sector IT Funding Outlook for 2021--and What It Means for Our Reseller Partners
    Public sector IT resellers must anticipate customers’ changing priorities to most effectively position offerings.
  • MSP Marketing
    MSPs: Grow the Business with Marketing (While Focusing on What You Do Best)
    Marketing is important for growing the business, but it’s often not a core competency for MSPs.
  • Staged Approach to Security Services
    The Smart Money’s on a Staged Approach to Security Services Provision
    Countering threats to customers is best achieved with a staged approach to security services.

One comment

  1. Avatar Rhian September 20, 2013 @ 7:45 am
    Reply

    When we signed up for
    When we signed up for hyperoffice.com to use for our team’s collaboration needs, I did feel a little intimidated by the term “cloud” and what it actually means for a small business. It seemed an unfounded fear, given the popularity of cloud-based tools these days. A lot of people use it, but it seems not many consumers want to be bothered by understanding how it works. as an end-user, i just want something that works out of the box and i have to admit i learned to “trust the cloud”, so to speak.

Leave a comment Cancel reply

-or-

Log in with your Channel Futures account

Alternatively, post a comment by completing the form below:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Content

  • Tactics to Improve Your Lead Generation
  • New Year Means Time to Make Room for New IT Training
  • The Rise in Remote Work Increases the Need for Patch Management
  • Partners Share Their 2021 Goals—and Plans for Achieving Them

Galleries

View all

Threat Protection Vendors: Why MSSPs Have to Ramp Up Efforts Right Now

February 23, 2021

Industry Perspectives

View all

SASE: The Key to Mitigating Business Transformation Risk

February 22, 2021

Public Sector IT Funding Outlook for 2021–and What It Means for Our Reseller Partners

February 18, 2021

MSPs: Grow the Business with Marketing (While Focusing on What You Do Best)

February 17, 2021

Webinars

View all

XDR and Why it Matters to MSPs

March 24, 2021

Top Security Trends Impacting Technology Security Providers In 2021

March 25, 2021

In Case of Emergency: The Importance of Proactive Critical Event Management

February 23, 2021
  • 1

White Papers

View all

Kaspersky Endpoint Detection and Response Optimum

February 19, 2021

Product Brief: Kaseya VSA Integrated Workflows with BMS and IT Glue

January 26, 2021

Why Subscription Business Model

January 15, 2021

Upcoming Events

View all

Channel Partners Virtual

March 2, 2021 - March 4, 2021

Channel Partners Conference & Expo

November 1, 2021 - November 4, 2021

Videos and Fastchats

View all

FASTCHAT: How SOAR Eliminates Security Challenges and Elevates Service Provider Revenues

January 6, 2021

Happy Holidays from Channel Partners & Channel Futures!

December 21, 2020

FASTCHAT: How Old, Unpatched Technologies Are Creating New Security Threats for MSPs and Their Customers

December 3, 2020

Twitter

ChannelFutures

.@AteraCloud receives $25 million investment to help more #MSPs, IT pros. dlvr.it/RtPbBG https://t.co/UxHqhrUKgx

February 24, 2021
ChannelFutures

.@Infoblox rolls out new #Cloud Specialization program to increase partners' #SaaS sales. dlvr.it/RtPb7f https://t.co/CmZTwYiv1u

February 24, 2021
ChannelFutures

RT @Channel_Expo: ⏱️ Time is ticking to save on your pass to #CPVirtual next week...View all pass options and secure your virtual seat by F…

February 24, 2021
ChannelFutures

The new @Commvault #EMEA channel exec will focus attention on alliances, cloud and simplifying and expanding partne… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

February 24, 2021
ChannelFutures

#NYC #MSP @Electric_AI receives $40 million in C-Series investment from VC firm @GreenspringVC.… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

February 24, 2021
ChannelFutures

.@rev_io_hq says the #backoffice grows in importance as more people work from home. dlvr.it/RtNLjd https://t.co/YZEVnm3KVk

February 24, 2021
ChannelFutures

.@KaseyaCorp acquires @rocketcyber, beefs up #cybersecurity for MSPs. dlvr.it/RtLQQ7 https://t.co/GXkDVhoNw5

February 23, 2021
ChannelFutures

Continuing #digitaltransformation for partners helps unlock #aaS and sales, says @GeorgeHope216.… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

February 23, 2021

MSSP Insider

Newsletters and Updates

Sign up for The Channel Report, Channel Futures Update, MSP 501 Newsletter and more.

Live Channel Events

Get the latest information on the next industry-leading Channel Partners event.

Channel Partners Online

Want more? Find more channel news and analysis on our sister site, Channel Partners.

Media Kit And Advertising

Want to reach our audience? Access our media kit

DISCOVER MORE FROM INFORMA TECH

  • Channel Partners Online
  • Channel Partners Events
  • MSP 501
  • MSSP Insider
  • IoT World Today
  • Webhostingtalk

WORKING WITH US

  • Contact
  • About us
  • Advertise
  • Newsletter

FOLLOW Channel Futures ON SOCIAL

  • Privacy
  • CCPA: “Do Not Sell My Data”
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms
Copyright © 2021 Informa PLC. Informa PLC is registered in England and Wales with company number 8860726 whose registered and Head office is 5 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG.
This website uses cookies, including third party ones, to allow for analysis of how people use our website in order to improve your experience and our services. By continuing to use our website, you agree to the use of such cookies. Click here for more information on our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy.
X