Top Public Cloud Infrastructure MSPs In Gartner’s Magic Quadrant
MSPs Raking In The Money From Public Cloud
Channel partners across the globe are reaping the benefits of providing public cloud infrastructure services when implementing and operating solutions on AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, IBM Cloud, Alibaba Cloud and Oracle Cloud.
By 2024, more than 50 percent of cloud service deals will include both application development services and cloud infrastructure professional and managed services, up from 10 percent in 2019, according to Gartner’s 2019 Magic Quadrant for Public Cloud Infrastructure Professional and Managed Services, worldwide.
The leading public cloud providers offer Infrastructure as-a-Service (Iaas) and Platform as-a-Service (PaaS) opportunities for managed service providers (MSPs) as part of their offerings. Gartner breaks down the 19 MSPs that are leading the public cloud services charge on a global basis, along with an assessment of each company’s strengths and weaknesses in the space.
Research Methodology For Public Cloud Infrastructure Professional And Managed Services
Gartner’s new Magic Quadrant for Public Cloud Infrastructure Professional and Managed Services focuses on MSPs that have deep technical expertise with hyperscale providers, provide effective cloud management platforms (CMPs) and managed services that leverage automation. These MSPs have the ability to deliver cloud-optimization solutions, including services for cloud-native applications or migrating legacy workloads from an existing data center. To make the Magic Quadrant, MSPs must deliver on three core pillars: CMP, managed services and professional services which include consulting, implementation and ongoing advice.
The Magic Quadrant ranks vendors on their ability to execute and completeness of vision and places them in four categories: Niche Players (low on vision and execution), Visionaries (good vision but low execution), Challengers (good execution but low vision) and Leaders (excelling in both vision and execution).
Leader: Wipro
Cloud Providers Supported: Alibaba Cloud, AWS, Google Cloud, IBM Cloud, Microsoft Azure and Oracle Cloud
The India-based solution provider giant won first place in Gartner’s Magic Quadrant for execution and placed second in vision. The global system integrator offers professional and managed services for cloud including cloud-native application and management. Wipro acquired Appirio for cloud professional services and Topcoder for application crowdsourcing in 2016, while it sold its data center business to Ensono in 2018.
Strength: Wipro is a leading cloud-native focused service provider with abilities to support multi-cloud and cloud transformation, along with strong enterprise application expertise.
Weakness: The company targets large or complex projects which makes Wipro less available for customers seeking more basic managed cloud services.
Leader: Accenture
Cloud Providers Supported: Alibaba Cloud, AWS, Google Cloud, IBM Cloud, Microsoft Azure and Oracle Cloud
Accenture received the gold medal in vision on Gartner’s Magic Quadrant and was amongst the top players in execution. The Ireland-based global system integrator supports all the major cloud providers as well as hybrid deployments.
Strength: Accenture provides a unique outcome-based contracting where the customer can gain extended contractual commitments to anticipated cost savings which is backed by financial penalties if Accenture does not hit its mark.
Weakness: The Accenture Cloud Platform is proprietary to Accenture and is a potential point of vendor lock-in.
Leader: Rackspace
Cloud Providers Supported: Alibaba Cloud, AWS, Google Cloud and Microsoft Azure
The Windcrest, Texas-based cloud, managed hosting and application service provider has pivoted in recent years to investing heavily in the public cloud MSP market. Rackspace, who recently launched a pay-as-you-go-billing model, ranks No. 2 in execution and No. 3 in vision on the Magic Quadrant.
Strength: Rackspace has created innovating pricing and contracting using a service block concept where customers start with Cloud Foundation and Tooling block, then can choose to add or modify it to include a combination of different modules.
Weakness: The company does not have application development capability and in the midst of transitioning from being primarily a hosting provider to an MSP.
Leader: Smartronix
Cloud Providers Supported: AWS, Google Cloud and Microsoft Azure
The Maryland-based MSP began offering public cloud services for AWS in 2009, adding Azure in 2012 and Google Cloud in 2016. Smartronix offers solutions around security, development, networking and hybrid deployments, ranking No. 3 in execution and amongst the top players in vision on the Magic Quadrant.
Strength: Smartronix delivers services in two styles: the first is focused on DevOps to drive automation and standardization, while the second is more traditional and customized. It also has one of the longest track records for providing services for AWS, Google and Azure.
Weakness: Although the company targets large scale digital transformation accounts, it has not won as many deals where cloud transformation is the primary goal compared to its competitors.
Leader: Deloitte
Cloud Providers Supported: Alibaba Cloud, AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, IBM Cloud and Oracle Cloud
Deloitte transitioned into the public cloud MSP world through various acquisitions over the past two years, now providing consulting, auditing, financial advisory and risk management services. The U.K.-based company ranks No. 4 in vision and amongst the top players in execution on the Magic Quadrant.
Strength: OpenCloud CMP is the basis for Deloitte’s cloud services with rich capabilities for rule-based policy enforcement, automation and integration for third-party tools to allow customer customization.
Weakness: Deloitte’s market and services approach is not optimized to support small IaaS engagements or one-off migration projects.
Leader: Infosys
Cloud Providers Supported: AWS, Google Cloud, IBM Cloud, Microsoft Azure and Oracle Cloud
The India-based large system integrator offers cloud professional and managed services as well as its own CMP: the Infosys Infrastructure Management Solution (IIMS). With a vast portfolio of services, Infosys ranks amongst the top players in both execution and vision on the Magic Quadrant.
Strength: With a focus on cloud platform engineering for hybrid cloud and cloud-native applications, IIMS is cloud agnostic and supports an array of essential CMP functions.
Weakness: Infosys lacks experience in cloud-native, agile IT services. The company needs more expertise in delivering long-term cloud services at scale.
Challenger: 2nd Watch
Cloud Providers Supported: AWS, Google Cloud and Microsoft Azure
The Seattle-based hyperscale-only MSP is focused on implementing and managing IaaS and PaaS public cloud services for customers that can be either cloud-agnostic or cloud-specific capabilities when required. 2nd Watch ranks No. 4 in execution on the Magic Quadrant and amongst the middle of the pack in vision.
Strength: With nearly a decade in the market focused on public cloud infrastructure management, 2nd Watch is a leader at optimizing customer cloud costs to achieve significant savings.
Weakness: The bulk of the company’s resources remain centered on its existing AWS capability, with not much support for Google Cloud.
Challenger: Cognizant
Cloud Providers Supported: Alibaba Cloud, AWS, Google Cloud, IBM Cloud, Microsoft Azure and Oracle Cloud
The Teaneck, N.J.-based system integrator provides cloud solutions as part of is broader services business, leveraging cloud as the core enabler of digital transformation. Cognizant ranks amongst the top players in execution and among the middle of the pack in vision on the Magic Quadrant.
Strength: Cognizant provides a broad range of services with its Cloud360 CMP that integrates its own IP with third-party tools and native cloud provider technology.
Weakness: Cognizant is less inclined to be prescriptive during planning, meaning the company does not take a thought leadership or trusted advisor approach compared to its competitors.
Challenger: Cloudreach
Cloud Providers Supported: AWS, Google Cloud and Microsoft Azure
Cloudreach is a midsize hyperscale-only MSP based in the U.K. The company doubled down on public cloud services with the acquisition of cloud-native Relus Cloud last year. The MSP ranks amongst the top players in execution and among the middle of the pack in vision on the Magic Quadrant.
Strength: Cloudreach emphasis an application-first approach that enables it to make better, more-informed decision for customers. The company is particularly suited to deliver managed services for DevOps focused customers.
Weakness: Cloudreach’s pricing models are perceived negatively as overly complex by some customers, particularly those coming from traditional managed service experiences.
Challenger: Logicworks
Cloud Providers Supported: AWS and Microsoft Azure
Logicworks is a compliance-focused New York City-based MSP that began offering AWS services in 2013. The company, which provides hybrid solutions using Equinix data centers, ranks amongst the top players in execution and among the middle of the pack in vision on the Magic Quadrant.
Strength: Logicworks owns an array of certifications including HIPPA and Payment Card Industry (PCI) Data Security standards, along with its Logicworks Pulse CMP that provides a library of compliant templates and workload scanners.
Weakness: Logicworks multi-cloud coverage is limited to just AWS and Azure support, along with a limited sales presence outside the U.S.
Challenger: Bespin Global
Cloud Providers Supported: Alibaba Cloud, AWS, Google Cloud, IBM Cloud and Microsoft Azure
South Korea-based Bespin Global is a regional hyperscale-only MSP that ranks amongst the middle of the pack in both execution and vision. The MSP owns a proprietary CMP, OpsNow, that supports hybrid IT deployments.
Strength: With a significant presence in China, Bespin Global has grown rapidly in the past year in both customers and revenue due to its strong focus on cloud-native capabilities and support for large organizations with agile and reliable applications.
Weakness: The company’s own CMP may not be sustainable in a market full of larger software vendors. Bespin Global also lacks a market presence outside China and South Korea.
Visionary: Tata Consultancy Services
Cloud Providers Supported: Alibaba Cloud, AWS, Google Cloud, IBM Cloud, Microsoft Azure and Oracle Cloud
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) delivers public cloud and hybrid professional and managed services as part of its larger portfolio spanning application, infrastructure, consulting and process outsourcing services. The Mumbai-based company ranks No. 5 in vision and amongst the middle of the pack in execution.
Strength: TCS’ cloud management platform, Cloud Exponence, covers both hybrid and multi-cloud management use cases with the standard offering including reporting, cost management and dashboarding services.
Weakness: TCS has an end-to-end sales approach that leans toward selling a complete solution, meaning customers looking for a simple, more transparent engagement may look elsewhere.
Visionary: Capgemini
Cloud Providers Supported: Alibaba Cloud, AWS, Google Cloud, IBM Cloud, Microsoft Azure and Oracle Cloud
The Paris-based solution provider has cloud MSP capabilities through the Capgemini Cloud Platform that includes services around cloud migration, cloud operation and innovation. Capgemini ranks amongst the top players in vision and among the middle of the pack in execution.
Strength: The company offers a modular block model of contract services that allows customers to select services for specific needs as well as incremental use of services as their cloud solution grows.
Weakness: With a focus on end-to-end cloud transformation service, Capgemini may be less flexible than its MSP competitors for customers that require impromptu services or partial cloud transformation support.
Visionary: HCL Technologies
Cloud Providers Supported: AWS, Google Cloud, IBM Cloud, Microsoft Azure and Oracle Cloud
HCL Technologies is beefing up its as-a-Service and software business with its $1.8 billion acquisition of a large part of IBM’s software portfolio. The India-based global solution provider ranks amongst the top players in vision and among the middle of the pack in execution.
Strength: HCL offers a “cloud custodian” model where it forms a business outcome agreement with customers. The company then masks the complexities of cloud mechanics and isolates the customer from operational details, allowing for stronger service-level guarantees.
Weakness: Customers that navigate HCL’s environment may find self-service more challenging than with other MSPs. Although flexibility on customer requirements is a strength, it often results in fragmentation of the solution toolset.
Niche Player: Nordcloud
Cloud Providers Supported: AWS, Google Cloud and Microsoft Azure
The Finland-based hyperscale-only MSP offered AWS managed services in 2012, followed by Azure and Google in 2015. Nordcloud, who supports large enterprises despite its relatively small size, ranks amongst the middle of the pack in both execution and vision on the Magic Quadrant.
Strength: Last year, Nordcloud successfully enhanced its focus and delivery for the financial services industry that dramatically grew its customer base and win ratio across its portfolio.
Weakness: The company focused exclusively on delivering optimal operations in hyperscale environments. Nordcloud has no track record of servicing hybrid environments such as VMware Cloud on AWS or Microsoft Azure Stack.
Niche Player: Unisys
Cloud Providers Supported: AWS and Microsoft Azure
The Blue Bell, Pa.-based solution provider launched its CloudForte branded service for AWS in 2018. Unisys, who has a long history of infrastructure management services, ranks amongst the bottom of the pack in both execution and vision on the Magic Quadrant.
Strength: With the creation of CloudForte for Azure, Unisys has the capability to build real-world applications on Azure through two commercial platforms: AirCore, for airline customer care use cases, and AMANDA that supports government licensing.
Weakness: Unisys is still a relatively new public cloud infrastructure MSP with minimal multi-cloud capabilities. The company’s processes and tools to support its MSP business need improvement.
Niche Player: DXC Technology
Cloud Providers Supported: AWS, IBM Cloud, Microsoft Azure and Oracle Cloud
DXC Technology, which is on an major acquisition spree, ranks amongst the bottom of the pack in both execution and vision on the Magic Quadrant. The company’s cloud business is part of a broader IT services offering that includes DXC’s cloud software management Agility Platform.
Strength: DXC Technology has strong cloud migration competencies and its “launch, adopt, run” framework enables adoption of public cloud services for business moving toward cloud-native solutions.
Weakness: Gartner said customer satisfaction with DXC Technology’s MSP business has dropped significantly since 2018 as the company undergoes a major transformation to build out global capabilities.
Niche Player: Samsung SDS
Cloud Providers Supported: Alibaba Cloud, AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure and Oracle Cloud
Samsung SDS is a hybrid hoster and the IT arm of Samsung Group based in South Korea, which ranks last in vision on the Magic Quadrant and amongst the bottom in execution. The company offers cloud, end-to-end IT outsourcing, private cloud and logistics process outsourcing services.
Strength: The company’s CMP, Global One View, supports multi-cloud uses cases and spans the AWS, Azure and Google Cloud public cloud environments, as well as Samsung’s private cloud.
Weakness: Samsung SDS’ public cloud infrastructure managed service practice is still maturing for non-Samsung Group customers, with limited offerings and lacking a global presence.
Niche Player: Atos
Cloud Providers Supported: Alibaba Cloud, AWS, Google Cloud and Microsoft Azure
French IT services giant Atos acquired U.S.-based Syntel for $3.5 billion in October to enhance its offerings around cloud. Atos provides support for hybrid IT through its Atos Canopy hybrid cloud solution that includes professional and managed services. The company ranks last in execution on the Magic Quadrant and amongst the bottom in vision.
Strength: Atos developed a framework, MACH, to help customers plan their migration to cloud that provides an assessment of applications, recommended architectures and an execution approach that includes risks, costs and timelines.
Weakness: The company was late to enter the public cloud services market with customer and revenue numbers relatively small compared to its global competitors.