Google Cloud Next 2020 – ASEAN Impact – Part 1: Driving Multi-cloud Adoption in the Region

A. Amir

Summary Bullets:

• Google Cloud announced new solutions and updates to catch up with competitors in value-added services and differentiate in open-platform and analytics.

• Multi-vendor support enables Google Cloud to address the multi-cloud requirements of ASEAN enterprises.

Google Cloud made several announcements at the recent Google Cloud Next 2020 OnAir, including BigQuery Omni (multi-cloud analytics solution. For more, please see Google Cloud Next 2020: Google Pads Anthos via GCP’s BigQuery AI Extensions, July 15, 2020), Confidential Computing (encryption of data while being processed), Assured Workloads (automation of compliance), G-Suite update, and Anthos update. At the event, the provider also shared its plan on partner ecosystem expansion and professional service capabilities. For more, please see Google Cloud Next 2020: What Google Lacks in Cloud Market Share, it Makes up for in Engineering, July 16, 2020. These announcements are crucial for Google Cloud to retain its advantage against other providers in areas such as analytics and interworking with other platforms, and close the competitive gaps in other areas (e.g., market share, partner ecosystem, professional services and value-added services).

Google Cloud Next 2020 – ASEAN Impact – Part 2: Powering SMBs in the Post COVID-19 Era

A. Amir

Summary Bullets:

• Google Cloud could position G-Suite and its retail solution to help ASEAN SMBs during the pandemic.

• Google should include key local players in its partner ecosystem to extend its market reach in the region.

Google Cloud made several announcements at the recent Google Cloud Next 2020 OnAir and shared its expansion plan of partner ecosystem and professional service capabilities. The first part of this report: Google Cloud Next 2020 – ASEAN Impact – Part 1: Driving Multi-cloud Adoption in the Region analyzes Google Cloud’s proposition in multi-cloud in ASEAN. This post discusses the opportunity in SMBs and recommendations for Google Cloud and end-users in the region.

Impact of COVID-19 on ASEAN SMB

Domestically, SMB represents a large amount of market opportunity driven by over 90% of total establishments in a country. The buying behavior is different than large enterprises and MNC. The low ICT adoption and lack of internal ICT capabilities translate to higher opportunities for managed service providers. However, market growth is expected to be slower post COVID-19 as many SMBs are significantly impacted by the pandemic. SMBs, especially the small and micro enterprises, have had to squeeze their budgets across all functions including ICT to sustain their business during and post lockdown. Digital transformation is becoming less important, and the main priorities have shifted to adapting to new customers’ buying bmehavior such as e-commerce and cashless payment (e.g., mobile wallet). The economy and low power purchasing in ASEAN are also pushing them to be even more cost-sensitive with ICT purchasing. All discretionary spending is expected to be put on hold.