In recent years, there has been a significant move to cloud services and the value of the local market is set to grow to US$229.69 million 2014. This growth is expected to continue exponentially and, over the next three years, the strategic importance of cloud services is expected to double from 34% to 72%.
Businesses of all sizes are, therefore, in the process of navigating the transition to cloud services. Larger companies have been benefiting from early applications and related efficiencies but, as the technology advances, the possibilities it presents are really sparking the imagination.
"Cloud adopters are already outperforming the competition," said Debbie Abrahall, MD of First Distribution, "and, in general, are delivering higher revenue and greater margins than their peers.
"First Distribution constantly tracks global trends and we've been aware of a growing shift to cloud computing for some time now. In particular, end-users are beginning to expect and demand cloud services, and businesses that don't provide these are starting to lag behind."
Cloud adopters are building competitive advantage through a threefold process of strategic reinvention, better decision making and greater collaboration, and First for Cloud offers benefits in all three areas.
For example, First for Cloud enables resellers to purchase their very own web store, an online partner-branded shop that, in turn, enables them to sell cloud services to their end customers. Cloud services from top global cloud providers and vendors are detailed in the First for Cloud catalogue, and resellers can select which services they wish to resell in their own uniquely branded web store.
First for Cloud also offers a number of complementary business solutions that enable resellers to jump-start a cloud services offering as soon as possible. These include providing access to a wide range of cloud services, as well as added-value services such as consulting, web store set-up and support. First for Cloud solutions are also easy to use, and have many features and benefits.
"One of First for Cloud's most important features is its centralised, detailed billing platform," said GM Kevin Derman. "This means greater simplicity, transparency and control for both resellers and their end-user customers."
Benefits to resellers include increased sales through positive brand association with world-class vendors, as well as through multiple cross-selling and upselling opportunities. And, as First for Cloud will constantly be adding new services, resellers will always have the opportunity to boost value to their customers and therefore to increase revenue.
As importantly, First for Cloud can get customers up and running within 30 days and a range of preconfigured solutions ensure that they can stay focused on their businesses during the development process. State-of-the art SSL security also guarantees peace of mind and First for Cloud's pre-tested and pre-configured platform ensures reliability of operation. All of this is backed up by friendly and professional support throughout regular business hours.
First for Cloud offers access to a portfolio of world-class vendors, which include Attix5, Averiware, Bluwave, Google, Intel Security, Kaspersky, Microsoft, Mozy, Oracle, Pamoja, RubiQ, Scoot, Softlayer, Symantec, VMware, Wishlist (Dynamics Express) and Yendo.
"First Distribution wanted to find a way to enable resellers to resell cloud services to existing end users as demand for these grew," said Derman. "We wanted to make it easy for resellers to access the world's best cloud services, without having to face the challenges associated with negotiating and organising their own set of services. The company wanted to provide a pre-packaged solution that was quick to set up, easy to install and simple to understand. "
It was in this response to this that First for Cloud was born, providing a unique partner-branded platform that enables resellers to sell cloud services to end-users.
"First for Cloud will be constantly evolving, and will be adding new vendors and services regularly," said Derman. "This will ensure that resellers can always offer their customers the very latest cloud services technologies."
