What exactly is a cloud services broker, and why does it matter so much to businesses?

The cloud computing industry today is booming; there’s no doubt about it. Cloud communications have grown substantially in the last decade and more businesses are choosing to use cloud-based platforms for their daily operations.

Cloud services brokers provide an essential service by helping businesses understand different cloud programs, choose the right programs for their business needs, and provide extra security and IT support when it’s needed. Outsourcing cloud platform management to a team of cloud consultants has never been a better idea.

But what proof is there that cloud computing is going to continue to be such an important industry? What statistics show that working with a trusted cloud services broker really will be a worthwhile investment? Take a look at the numbers below, and you’ll see why cloud brokerage services have become so essential:

• Recent studies show that over one-third (35%) of all IT services are now delivered through the cloud.
• At the moment, almost six out of 10 businesses (59%) use at least one cloud platform to share data and work on collective projects. Many businesses use multiple platforms; some even use a mixture of private cloud programs and public cloud programs.
• According to the International Data Corporation (IDC), public cloud spending was at $40 billion in 2012 but is expected to reach at least $100 billion by the end of 2016.
• By 2018, it’s expected that security services for cloud platforms — like the ones offered by many cloud services brokers — will have a total market worth of nearly $9 billion by 2019.
• The market for cloud equipment, too, is growing very quickly. By 2018, it’s expected that this market will reach $79.1 billion in value.

If you never realized it before, there’s no denying that cloud communications are the future of business operations!