Certification boosts business prospects, says APM Group

With cloud adoption rates in the UK set to soar over the next 12 months, particularly in the SME space, CIF Certification will be key to encouraging end user confidence and gaining market share, says APM Group, the Cloud Industry Forum’s (CIF) independent certification partner.

According to the latest research from CIF, 78 per cent of cloud users and future users see value in working with a Cloud Service Provider (CSP) that has certified against an industry Code of Practice (CoP) that is independently audited over those that have no public accountability.

According to Richard Pharro, APM Group’s CEO, this presents an opportunity for CSPs to capture market share, assuming that they can prove their credentials and adherence to best practice:

Richard Pharro, CEO at APM Group, said: “End users are clearly looking for reassurance from the cloud industry that their data will be safe and secure in the cloud. But in a market of online delivery models with many new vendors, how can a customer have confidence that their chosen supplier will provide a secure, stable, and effective solution? Here, the CIF Code of Practice is invaluable. By certifying against the Code, CSPs can publically demonstrate their commitment to best practice, thereby differentiating their services from their competitors.”

One such CSP that has felt the benefits of CIF certification is London Cloud. Having initially achieved the certification in 2012, and re-certified in early 2013, the company has seen a distinct increase in the confidence of customers and prospects alike. Paul Byrne, CEO of London Cloud, explained:
“For too long the channel and IT industry in general has lacked standards in the areas of transparency, capability and accountability. Crucial for us was the need to establish credibility in the market and that is why we aligned ourselves with the CIF Code of Practice. There is no doubt that gaining the certification enhanced our position in the market, giving our customers confidence in our cloud offering, and an extra edge in a highly competitive market.”

Giving credence to these claims, when London Cloud’s customer, law firm Wildbore & Gibbons LLP, for whom CIF certification was integral to their selection of a cloud provider. John Kennedy, FIDM, Wildbore & Gibbons, said: “When we initially set about selecting a CSP we quickly found ourselves faced with a daunting number of options. As a law firm, we are naturally risk averse, so we needed a way to properly assess and qualify prospective suppliers. This came in the form of the CIF Code of Practice, which helped us to cut through the marketing jargon and helped us to identify a trustworthy supplier.”