Technology Business Research Inc.’s “Cloud Professional Services Customer Report” shows demand for cloud professional services continues to escalate, with more than 74% of enterprise clients, compared to 59% in 2011, purchasing or considering purchasing cloud computing services engaged with a cloud professional services vendor for assistance.

Recently, clients’ professional services demands shifted, with a need for assistance in system integration and implementation taking the lead. TBR surveyed 900 end users of cloud professional services across North America, Europe and Asia to map vendor opportunity and customer and competitor landscapes for the report, which is one of three customer-facing research initiatives in TBR’s cloud customer portfolio, says TBRI Senior Analyst Ramunas Svarcas.

With a growing number of customers investing in cloud services, the demand for cloud professional services is on the rise. TBR estimates cloud professional services revenue increased 50.4% to $17 billion in 2013 from $5 billion in 2010, and expects it will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 12% to $30 billion by 2018. Markets outside the U.S., such as APAC, are finding need for cloud professional services to make use of cloud technologies.

“Emerging markets require the assistance of cloud professional services to maximize the benefits of cloud technologies due to their inability to maintain cloud services on their own. The report indicates budgets for cloud professional services are highest in APAC,” says TBRI Analyst Cassandra Mooshian.

Technology Business Research, Inc. is a leading independent technology market research and consulting firm specializing in the business and financial analyses of hardware, software, professional services, telecom and enterprise network vendors, and operators. Go to www.tbri.com for more info.