The journey towards digital transformation has accelerated for SMBs. Cloud solutions, AI, and digital operations at the core are no longer nice-to-have—they’re essential to remaining competitive.
Crayon’s 2025 release of the biennial Future of Operations study analyses the influence of AI on the strategic agenda for the regions SMB decision makers.
Gain a forward view to the Business and IT objectives driving demand for cloud solutions, services and technical capabilities from now into 2027.
The role of cloud infrastructure and platforms in shaping SMB operations is more critical than ever.
Cloud-first remains the cornerstone strategy but SMBs are rethinking ‘cloud-only’ and are adapting their strategies to suit the Age of AI.
47% of SMBs surveyed plan to manage their organisation’s workloads on hybrid cloud over the next two years.
Are you ready to help them expand their cloud horizons?
Data is everywhere, but insights are still hard to come by for SMBs.
Solution adoption intent is over 40% in Business Intelligence, Business Analytics PaaS, CRM and Customer Journey Analytics categories.
Modernised data strategies become critical as more SMBs use AI to drive value from business applications.
They’re scouting for external expertise to meet new data-led needs.
More SMBs expect technology investments to contribute directly to increased business value.
An average 66% of respondents place high to critical priority on KPIs that align and link technology investments and initiatives to strategic business objectives and metrics.
These expectations get passed on to external IT experts.
Business language fluency is a competitive advantage.
As SMBs increase the pace of digital transformation, safeguarding everything they’ve gained from their cloud investments – and all they stand to gain from AI – becomes the #1 priority for SMBs.
76% of survey respondents see improving security and data privacy as a high to critical priority.
Cybersecurity is finally becoming an all-of-business imperative.
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Sales and Marketing
Business leaders don't live in the tools. They live in the outcomes. The metrics they care about most are not always limited to compliance and risk. So how do you connect data protection to the big-ticket objectives, when they're less obvious? Our in-house pre-sales expert, Michael Brooke explains.
Guides and eBooks
As SMBs mature in the Data Protection lifecycle, they need help to optimise spend, reduce the compliance burden and ensure results align to business objectives. The third installment of our Data Protection Playbook series provides practical guidance for partners on how to address emerging pressure and connect ongoing investment to measurable business value.
Training
Copilot Agents: what are they and how do they differ from AI assistants and chatbots? Our in-house Copilot expert Ksenia Turner explains the use cases and service opportunities for partners.
Blogs
Fragmented data protection systems and processes create compliance proof-gaps for SMB customers. Scott Hagenus, Director, Cybersecurity here at Crayon explains.
Sales and Marketing
Ever wonder why a pitch has some IT Managers leaning forward, while others glaze over? Michael Brooke, Cybersecurity Pre-Sales Lead offers some insight on how to tune your approach to chime with different technical mindsets.
Guides and eBooks
How can partners help their SMB customers to move from silos of security and continuity to a more cohesive, measurable and insurable data protection framework? The second edition in our Data Protection Playbook series maps out their journey, and yours.
Vendor Announcements
Copilot for Business has landed at Microsoft Ignite 2025, levelling the GenAI playing field for SMB customers. Learn all about it from our man on the ground, Andreas Bergman.
Press Release
Press Release
Blogs
As cybersecurity and continuity converge in platforms and in practice, partners need new playbooks to address modern Data Protection standards. Our in-house cybersecurity pre-sales lead, Michael Brooke explains why.
Guides and eBooks
What triggers an SMB customer to begin exploring their need for better Data Protection? The first of our four Data Protection Playbooks for partners breaks down how to position and win in the Pre-Adoption and Exploration stage.
Insights
Data Protection priorities are shifting for SMBs. Ramp up your ability to respond with curated insights, articles and resources to help you guide every customer conversation with confidence.
Partner Spotlight
In this Partner Spotlight, Acceltech Managing Director Ivy Tarrobago shares how Crayon’s responsive support enhances client outcomes and business growth.
Whitepapers
Data Protection is a must for all SMBs but how can partners align solution investment with critical business objectives? Our latest paper shows you how.
Press Release
Crayon has been recognised with a huge double win at the CRN Channel Asia awards ceremony.
Insights
All the latest insights, articles and resources on M365 Copilot, curated into one place.
Insights
SMB customers are storing greater volumes of sensitive data in more places than ever. Secure backup and recovery practices are essential to how they protect it.
Partner Spotlight
Bigfish Technology saved AU$20,000 on its annual Microsoft licensing after one call with Crayon and has since built a strong partnership that enabled Bigfish to get access to Crayon’s expertise and vendor ecosystem.
Insights
Insider risk is a subtle and continuous challenge for SMB customers. Turn it into a manageable and quantifiable aspect of their Data Protection strategy.
Blogs
From rethinking backup to governance frameworks and behavioural analytics, what's involved in building a complete Data Protection strategy for SMB customers?
Insights
We explore the evolution of Microsoft's channel strategy over the past ten years, and what can be learned by viewing it through a Value Cycle lens.
Guides and eBooks
The Microsoft Fabric Partner Guide curates our recent articles, videos and resources to accelerate Crayon partner learning.
Business
If your SMB customers are prioritising Customer Experience improvements, this article is for you!
Insights
SMBs in APAC are ramping up adoption of cloud-based business applications. Find out why and how this influences the services and capabilities sought from their trusted IT service partners.
Insights
Deliver data-driven value with Power BI and harness the growing SMB customer demand for data analytics and visualisation.
Insights
Solution adoption intent for Zero Trust is surging with SMBs across the region. Explore how Trend Micro can help partners respond.
Insights
Explore how SMBs in APAC are leveraging cybersecurity solutions and AI technologies toward achieving critical business objectives.
Insights
Explore data trends from the Future of Operations and learn how to turn insights into action in the Productivity domain.
Insights
SMB operations in the Asia Pacific region are shifting from traditional backup and disaster recovery toward something more transformative.
Insights
The latest in our Future of Operations insights series looks at why SMBs are pursuing hybrid cloud and multi-cloud strategies to achieve their business objectives.
Blogs
To plan the ultimate Data Value party for your customers, you need to set data free to mingle!
Podcast
Crayon's Global Lead for Hosting Partners, Andreas Bergman joins Microsoft's Hybrid Cloud Partners podcast to share cloud trends from around the world.
Insights
SMBs across the APAC are not just increasing their technology investments—they are making strategic, forward-thinking moves to position themselves for long-term growth.
Insights
Small to medium-sized businesses in the APAC region are gearing up tech investments to drive outcomes for customer experience, revenue, business adaptability and innovation. How will SMBs leverage emerging technologies to achieve their strategic objectives?
