Our latest independent study of small-to-medium sized business operations across the APAC region shows SMBs are not just increasing their technology investments—they are making strategic, forward-thinking moves to position themselves for long-term growth. Findings from our 2025 study reveal that tech budgets are on the rise across the SMB sector, and the next two years will see a continued upward trajectory in cloud investments, AI solutions, and business continuity measures.
As a MSP, CSP, integrator, or consultant, this is the perfect time to align your offerings with emerging demand. The SMB market is poised for significant transformation, and our unique quantitative studies of SMB operations give you the insights you need to seize these opportunities.
The lessons of the pandemic era have left a mark on SMBs mindsets, with data showing decision makers across the region prioritising solutions that ensure operational continuity. Cloud-based disaster recovery solutions, automated storage tiering, and enterprise application backup are all seeing significant adoption intent, as SMBs aim to protect their data while maintaining access and uptime across cloud platforms.
With more SMBs subject to increased compliance and regulation, many are rethinking ‘cloud-only’ strategies and revising their approach to hybrid cloud to include on-prem and edge. This corresponds with increased appetite for IoT which indicates the region’s distributed industries are moving fast on emerging technology, whilst seeking to control the cloud and data related costs at the same time.
Cloud ERP was the #1 business application adoption in our 2023 study and solution adoption intent remains very high. At the same time, as SMBs pursue improved customer experience and improved market competitiveness, the appetite for CRM, Field Service and Customer Journey Analytics is surging.
IT organisations are the fastest adopters of AI within the SMB sector. Combined with increased intent to implement Zero Trust frameworks, Extended Detection and Response and cybersecurity awareness training services, SMBs will invest to protect all they have gained from cloud and are yet to gain from AI.
The 2025 study shows that mid-market SMBs are increasingly adopting hybrid cloud solutions, prioritising flexibility and scalability to manage complex workloads. Public cloud adoption remains widespread, but SMBs are seeking multi-cloud solutions to better manage risk, enhance performance, and optimise costs.
With an increasing focus on AI for security and business applications, SMBs are seeking partners who can offer end-to-end solutions that integrate AI-driven security, cloud optimisation, and data management. These solutions are crucial for businesses looking to realise the full potential of their cloud investments while staying ahead of evolving security threats.
The correlation between AI adoption and business continuity is clear. As AI becomes a centerpiece of business operations, SMBs require cloud solutions that support real-time data processing, secure data storage, and disaster recovery—all of which are integral to business continuity.
SMBs need expert guidance to navigate the evolving landscape of cloud technology and AI implementation. The 2025 study reveals that 88% of SMBs intend to increase their budget for third-party service engagements, with a growing demand for cloud strategy development, cybersecurity assessments, managed cloud services, and AI adoption support.
This represents a massive opportunity for MSPs, CSPs, and integrators to become key partners in SMBs’ digital transformation journeys. To succeed, partners must offer comprehensive services that cover everything from cloud strategy to AI integration and data protection.
Our quantitative studies of SMB operations have been ongoing since 2021, providing a unique perspective on how market disruptions influence SMB tech priorities, budgets, and technology adoption. Crayon is the only cloud distributor in the region to invest in independent studies of the SMB segment. We don’t just gather data—we analyse trends, identify opportunities, and provide actionable insights that can drive your business forward.
The release of the Future of Operations study for 2025 Distribution, done differently means an ongoing commitment to delivering strategic value add with insights that help our partners position for immediate and emerging demand.
Download The Future of Operations today, and stay ahead of SMB customer objectives, priorities and technology buying behaviour.
Blogs
Catch our comprehensive summary of the highlights from Microsoft Ignite 2025, combined with the resources and links you need to dig into the detail!
Training
In our latest webinar, our in-house Modern Work experts Jye Wong and Ksenia Turner will run you through a practical refresher on Solution Partner Designations; what they are, why they matter and how to get started.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Insights
What are the most critical business objectives and solution adoption priorities for SMBs in our region? Download the latest Forrester study to find out!
Case Studies
Working with Crayon, AfterDark scaled its ability to build longer-term cybersecurity engagements with customers.
Vendor Announcements
Microsoft changes to its licensing programs means some customers will not be able to renew EAs. Find out how to transition them to CSP in hours, with no disruption or upfront cost, only with Crayon.
Training
M365 Copilot implementations for customers should be viewed through a risk tolerance lens. Explore risk tolerance profiles and what they mean.
Training
Walk through the features of VMware Cloud Foundation and why it is a key tool for Crayon’s cloud partners.
Insights
A recent study of small to medium sized businesses (SMBs) across the Asia Pacific region signals a sweet spot for partners that can connect Cloud ERP, Business Process Automation and AI.
Podcast
Cybersecurity experts from Crayon, SMX and Red Sift cover the realities of the complex threat landscape and how partners can respond.
Blogs
Crayon cloud security assessments help partners lock down M365 and Azure environments and build profitable cybersecurity practices. Learn how.
