Simplifying Management

Half of the survey's respondents said simple management is the attribute they value most when choosing cloud solutions.

That's twice as many as those who cited price as their primary consideration when selecting services, AppDirect's Saks noted.

"So it's not just the race to the bottom, but about getting software that works — use it, manage it, dole it out to employees in a way that's easy," he told ITBestOfBreed.

The result highlights the importance for solution providers to choose effective cloud management tools and master their use.

"For channel partners, it's incredibly important to have access to those technologies," Saks said.