Cloud Solution Providers
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The emergence of cloud computing has driven the development of specialist companies to advise, design, deliver and maintain cloud computing environments for SMEs. In many ways, these companies are the natural evolution from the old managed services provider model
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Software Product Vendors
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Companies that used to be called ISVs (independent software vendors). These companies sell business software along with implementation and support services
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Software Development Consultants
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Firms that produce bespoke software solutions, often as a result of technical consulting assignments. ERP implementation and business performance consultants sit in this category. While much of their revenue is pure consulting services, they will also deliver, license and support software and integration solutions
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Managed Services Providers
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The industry that began in the 1980s supporting the computing needs of SMEs continues to evolve in response to cloud computing, increasing commoditisation of computing devices and cyber security threats. Differentiation is key to survival in this competitive space
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General Consulting Practices
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A wide range of firms simply sell expertise to many specialist industries and the government. Hard to define as a sector, they nevertheless have specific needs that range far beyond simple timesheet to billing software
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Specialist Certification Consultants
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Increasing regulation and globalisation has driven the growth in companies that specialise in assisting manufacturers to obtain certification for their product in domestic and overseas markets. The PSA market has been slow to recognise the niche needs of these businesses
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Cybersecurity Consultants
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While cybersecurity used to be the remit of MSPs, the increasing sophistication of attacks makes successful defence so specialised that it now forms a major and growing sector in its own right
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Planning and Environmental Consultants
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The threat to humanity from pollution and climate change has given rise to a growing consulting niche in companies specialising in reviews, reports, inspections and solutions design aimed at tackling these threats
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