pre_text: Global Business Services * Recast to reflect segment changes. Global Business Services revenue increased compared to 2017 driven by strong growth in Consulting, led by key offerings in digital Global Business Services revenue increased compared to 2017 driven by strong growth in Consulting, led by key offerings in digital and cloud application, where the business has brought together technology and industry expertise to help clients on their digital journey. GPS grew year to year, while Application Management revenue was flat as reported and declined adjusted for currency compared to 2017. While we continued to help clients move to the cloud with offerings such as Cloud Migration Factory and cloud application development, there were continued declines in the more traditional application management engagements. Within GBS, cloud revenue of $4.7 billion grew 20 percent as reported and 19 percent adjusted for currency compared to the prior year.
table: ($ in millions)
table: For the year ended December 31: 2018 2017 Yr.-to-Yr. Percent Change Yr.-to-Yr. Percent Change Adjusted for Currency
table: Global Business Services external revenue $16,595* $16,073* 3.2% 2.3%
table: Consulting $7,705 $7,262 6.1% 5.1%
table: Application Management 7,852 7,821 0.4 (0.5)
table: Global Process Services 1,037* 990* 4.8 4.7
question: Analyse this data from a financial earnings document. What is the increase / (decrease) in the Global Business Services external revenue from 2017 to 2018?