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Partners of the Future
Rhonda Robati, Executive Vice President of Crayon APAC assesses the factors driving Microsoft's channel strategy and the evolution needed to be a Partner of the Future.
As we look ahead to 2027, the role of cloud infrastructure and platforms in shaping SMB operations is more critical than ever.
Data drawn from our biennial Future of Operations study shows SMBs are increasingly turning to cloud solutions to unlock new growth opportunities, enhance business resilience, and drive digital transformation.
With more than 40% of SMBs prioritising cloud platforms over the next two years, the cloud-first approach is becoming the cornerstone of modern business strategies.
In the fourth of our Future of Operations Insight series, we will dive into the key insights from the study that relate to cloud infrastructure.
We’ll focus on SMB adoption patterns, cloud platform trends, and the impact of hybrid and multi-cloud strategies.
As SMBs continue to embrace cloud technologies, the evolving landscape offers exciting opportunities and challenges for both IT professionals and technology partners.
SMB Cloud Infrastructure Adoption Trends
Cloud adoption is not just a passing trend for SMBs—it’s a critical part of their business transformation journey.
More SMBs are leveraging cloud infrastructure to streamline operations, reduce costs, and improve efficiency.
The study found that cloud platforms are among the top investments for SMBs in 2025, reflecting a widespread recognition of their ability to enable scalability and business agility.
As SMBs move away from traditional on-premises infrastructure, cloud-native solutions are becoming the preferred choice for businesses looking to stay competitive.
In fact, nearly over 60% of SMBs surveyed indicated plans to increase their cloud infrastructure and platform investment over the next 24 months, with a notable uptick in planned solution adoption for hybrid cloud compute, hybrid cloud storage, hyper-converged and VM’s, along with data analytics platforms.
Flexibility and Scale Pursued with Hybrid and Multi-cloud
The hybrid cloud and multi-cloud strategy trend continues to grow. Over 40% of SMBs are now adopting or planning to adopt multi-cloud approaches in the next two years. This trend reflects the growing need for businesses to maximise flexibility while ensuring cost optimisation and business continuity.
Hybrid cloud, which combines on-premises infrastructure with public cloud services, is helping SMBs bridge the gap between traditional IT and modern cloud solutions. By using a hybrid approach, SMBs can maintain control over sensitive data while also leveraging the power of cloud computing for business-critical applications. Multi-cloud strategies, on the other hand, allow SMBs to reduce their dependency on a single cloud provider, improving resilience and avoiding vendor lock-in.
The ability to choose between different cloud providers for specific workloads gives SMBs the agility to meet diverse business needs while also optimising costs and performance.
Domain Investment Trend
Planned Adoptions to 2027
Cloud Platform Adoption.
Within the broader cloud infrastructure landscape, certain platforms and technologies stand out as key drivers for SMB transformation.
Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, and AWS remain dominant players in the market, but SMBs are increasingly turning to specialised cloud solutions that offer industry-specific tools for better customisation and optimisation.
One notable trend is the rise of industry-specific cloud platforms, which provide SMBs with tailored solutions for sectors like healthcare, finance, and manufacturing. For example, Microsoft Azure has expanded its offerings to include solutions specifically designed for industries such as retail and financial services, helping SMBs optimise their operations with minimal upfront investment.
The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into cloud platforms is another critical trend that SMBs are adopting.
Cloud platforms like Azure AI enable SMBs to integrate AI-driven tools such as predictive analytics, machine learning, and natural language processing into their operations. This not only enhances data-driven decision-making but also provides SMBs with the ability to offer personalised services to their customers.
Cloud Migration.
While the move to the cloud offers significant opportunities, the transition can be complex and resource-intensive, especially for SMBs with limited IT resources.
The study highlights that cloud migration remains a priority, but challenges like data security, integration complexities, and cost management continue to pose obstacles.
To mitigate these challenges, SMBs are increasingly turning to MSPs and CSPs for guidance on cloud migration strategies.
According to the survey, more than 30% of SMBs have already engaged external IT service partners to facilitate their cloud migration journey.
This partnership model provides SMBs with the expertise and support needed to overcome technical hurdles, optimise cloud performance, and ensure smooth transitions.
Moreover, as cloud adoption accelerates, the need for cloud security is becoming more pressing. The study shows that cybersecurity and data protection are top priorities for SMBs in their cloud strategies, with many investing in cloud security tools to protect their data and ensure compliance with industry regulations.
Key Takeaways
The shift towards cloud-native solutions, hybrid cloud, and multi-cloud strategies is reshaping how SMBs operate, deliver services, and engage with customers.
As cloud adoption continues to grow, SMBs must focus on data security, scalability, and AI-driven innovation to stay ahead of the curve.
For SMBs looking to gain a competitive edge in 2025 and beyond, investing in cloud infrastructure is no longer optional—it’s essential.
By embracing cloud platforms and adopting flexible strategies, SMBs can unlock new levels of efficiency, resilience, and growth.
The cloud infrastructure landscape in 2025 offers exciting opportunities for our partners to help clients drive transformation, enhance business resilience, and improve operational efficiency.
As cloud adoption continues to rise, SMBs must strategically embrace hybrid and multi-cloud models, focus on data-driven innovation, and leverage cloud security.
And they will need help.
By aligning with the business objectives and value drivers emerging from the study, partners have opportunity to help SMB customers unlock the full potential of cloud technology, and position for the new tech-led business innovation wave.
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