Gartner reports that the IT channel may need to step up efforts for cloud integration

The cloud is expected to boom in popularity in the next year, and applications-based service providers are predicted to grow along with it. Information technology specialists are businesses that hope to benefit from this wave of enthusiasm, though as it currently stands the industry as a whole may need to ramp up its services for the cloud's widespread adoption.

According to Gartner, the IT channel may be ill-prepared to handle the expected increase in cloud computing users by year's end. An underlying cause of this perception is the fact that, based on a previous study, many information and integration specialists feel like they need more training about the operating specifics of the cloud.

However, the company states that cloud computing may be a lucrative asset to the IT channel.

"The channel has the opportunity to aggregate those services, provide value-add integration and other services," Thomas Bittman, vice president of Gartner, said.

The ability to specialize in the delivery of key services may help secure a place for IT companies in the cloud. According to IT Director.com, the characteristics of the cloud are varied enough that many different companies in the computer services industry can carve-out their own niche.