Cloud Computing Journal asks a variety of members of the ecosystem, from CIOs to independent consultants to marketeers, about where the i-Technology industry is headed next...here are their views on what's in store in 2012, starting with Nigel Dunn, Principal at Calx Europe.

#1: Microsoft will falter in 2012

Microsoft will experience a profits warning in calendar year 2012 as the PC markets continue to decline sharply and their underlying Windows demand drops correspondingly.

#2: AppStores will flourish

BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) will get on the radar of CXOs and corporate security will tighten but it will give rise to 'Corporate Approved AppStores' which will be new, independently presented 'Stores' which corporate can brand but will serve only pre-approved, pre-paid Apps for staff to any smartphone or tablet used by them.

#3: We are entering the era of Aggregation Platform

The rise of the Aggregation Platform – channel players will deploy platforms to aggregate service and software sales to create single, consolidated monthly bills for resellers and end users for Cloud sales. While traditional distributors will lead the way, I predict before 2012 is out there will be at least one major new player in the software and service market to corporations, threatening the status quo for current channels. Candidates could be Amazon or even Google but the player may come from completely left field.

#4: Continuing rise of Google Apps for Business

Google Apps for Business will continue to rise strongly in sales and close the year at nearly at between $500m to even $1bn of sales globally eating strongly into Microsoft Office's market share.

#5: Groupon will fail spectacularly

Groupon will fail spectacularly as its business model fails to deliver any hope of profitability. Google and Amazon will take the lead in this sector and one or other or possibly another player may buy the wreck of Groupon for significantly less than 30% of the recent IPO price.

• The Future of Cloud Computing: Industry Predictions for 2012