Key Takeaways and 2025 Predictions: Highlights from Insightful Cloud Panel

As we move into 2025, it is expected that this will be the year of AI and cloud. Gartner predicts global cloud spending will grow significantly in 2025 and reach $723B, a 21.5% increase year-over-year. AI-driven tools and increased adoption of hybrid environments will likely further accelerate growth opportunities for the channel. Recently, Intelisys hosted a supplier panel on the cloud segment where Intelisys VP of Advanced Technology, Patrick Chen, was joined by distinguished channel leaders from three of Intelisys’ leading cloud-providers—Dan Ohlson at Equinix, Therese McGovern at RapidScale, and Isaiah Hogeberg at TierPoint.

As Intelisys partners begin thinking about expanding their sales efforts into these fast-growing technologies, here are a few projections and insights from the channel leaders.

Cloud growth trends worth watching

When asked about top trends for 2025 and beyond, McGovern mentioned the convergence of cloud, security, and AI and Machine Learning (AI-ML). Together, these three technologies can work to solve big challenges. AI provides insights, the cloud boosts efficiencies, and security builds trust. By combining these technologies, partners can offer powerful, smart solutions that can help customers grow and stay ahead. For partners wondering how to start the conversation, McGovern suggested leading with a business discussion around FinOps and spend, for example, “we just talked about your telecom spend, would you be open to learning how you can leverage free cloud assessments to drive efficiencies and cost savings?” Hogberg mentioned the “Great Roadmap Reset” whereas a result of the VMware price increases, FinOps priorities have expanded to focus on private cloud (including on-premise private cloud workloads), creating the opportunity to help clients reevaluate their roadmap. Ohlson also mentioned the positive impact that high co-location demand and low facility inventory has had in driving larger deals and faster close rates for the channel.?

Public or private cloud…or both?

Another interesting discussion during the panel was helping customers navigate whether to go with a public or private cloud architecture. The biggest takeaway was evaluating workloads, along with latency, network topology, and organizational goals, and offering a cost-benefit analysis to help decide what gets hosted where. McGovern mentioned that she believes the bulk of the market opportunity is still with public cloud, and all three panelists emphasized the importance of having a flexible, multi-cloud strategy. A multi-cloud strategy can give businesses greater flexibility, better performance, and reduce risk, and by using different clouds for different needs can allow organizations to boost efficiency, improve reliability, and stay secure. It can be a smart way to stay competitive and adapt to changing demands. Hogberg also discussed the value of cost optimization for existing cloud customers (for example, a customer already on Azure who is still concerned about their spend) and not just solely focusing on prem-to-cloud migrations, and Ohlson also mentioned that for those who moved to the cloud a while back, partners have a great opportunity to help customers right-size their cloud and subscription costs.

Partner opportunity awaits

The rise of AI and demand for public cloud will likely make a big impact as customers look to drive efficiencies, reduce downtime, and optimize costs. McGovern mentioned that RapidScale is planning to double-down on this by investing in their AI, public cloud, and Google Cloud practices. They are also expanding their managed services portfolio to include migration readiness assessments, AI/ML proof of concepts, data warehouse modernization, and more. Hogberg noted how TierPoint is investing in their Azure Stack hybrid cloud platform to offer desirable single-pane-of-glass functionality between private and public cloud environments and offering a VMware alternative. Ohlson also discussed opportunity in helping enterprise customers realize the promise of extending their datacenter into an ecosystem-dense colocation environment to build a foundation for the future.

Key takeaways for our mutual partners

As Ohlson pointed out, there’s never been a better time for partners to have business conversations with their customers on how they plan to grow and expand, and leverage that into a multi-cloud, AI, and storage discussion. McGovern also mentioned resources available through RapidScale such as customer intent data, training, and MDF funds to support partners. Both McGovern and Hogberg also referenced Azure and AWS funding that can pay for public cloud adoption—at no cost to your customers. All three panelists realize the growth opportunities with Intelisys and our partner ecosystem and are making investments in their roadmaps, processes, and channel engagement to make it easier and faster to do business together.

To learn more about why now is the time to accelerate your AI and cloud sales practice, reach out to your Intelisys business development manager or solutions engineer, or check out the Intelisys YouTube channel to learn more about these providers.