System integrators follow the money to cloud

Technology consultants historically follow the money in the enterprise and the cash appears to be flowing to the cloud and software as a service.

Accenture noted that it is expanding an alliance with Salesforce.com to create Cloud Centers globally. As enterprises adopt the cloud, consultants don't want to be solely in the on-premises camp.

This consultant migration has been ramping for a few years, but now the bandwagon is filling up as an army of cloud experts is being built. For instance, NetSuite also announced a bevy of new consulting partnerships last week.

Related: Accenture eyes wider global expansion with Salesforce.com partnership

For Accenture's part, the Salesforce.com revolves around an innovation center in London. "The new center will serve as a showcase location for Accenture and salesforce.com to bring to life new solutions and prototypes based on innovative implementation approaches and to demonstrate the tremendous client value the two companies can jointly deliver," said Accenture in a statement.

Accenture and Salesforce will cooperate on R&D, architecture and developing a roadmap for the social enterprise.

NetSuite teamed up with Deloitte Consulting, Grant Thornton, Blytheco and Frank, Rimerman + Co. All of those partners will implement NetSuite. It's no coincidence that those consultants also sell Microsoft Dynamics Great Plains and Sage, two packages that NetSuite tries to replace. NetSuite has already partnered with Accenture and Wipro.