Dive Brief:
- Almost 40% of companies say cloud computing is the main reason to be optimistic about the channel’s future, according to a new study released Wednesday by CompTIA.
- Conversely, a third of channel firms surveyed said cloud is the primary reason they are thinking negatively about the future.
- Channel partners also disagree about whether or not the cloud has brought them closer to customers. Six in 10 channel firms said cloud has strengthened their bonds with customers this year, while about 25% of firms say cloud has weakened ties to customers.
Dive Insight:
CompTIA says the mixed results demonstrate that "IT industry channel firms are caught up in a dichotomy over where cloud computing fits into their business."
"The channel still isn’t 100% comfortable with cloud; in fact, they are less sure than they were two years ago," said Carolyn April, senior director of industry analysis at CompTIA.
Despite the mixed signals, the majority of channel firms (63%) surveyed say they are optimistic the channel will perform well in the future.
CompTIA’s Sixth Annual State of the Channel report surveyed 350 technology companies.
