Microsoft

Channel Programs

Microsoft tweaks partner profitability strategies

July 14, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on Microsoft tweaks partner profitability strategies
Microsoft reviews response to their second cloud profitability eBook, which finished its ‘rolling thunder’ rollout at WPC, and looks at what’s ahead to assist with partner profitability.

Cloud

Momentum, opportunity highlight Microsoft Office 365 messaging at WPC

July 14, 2016 Mark Cox 3
Office 365 business continues to show impressive growth, although Microsoft is impressing upon partners that the real money here doesn’t come from selling subscriptions, but in integrating it into other solutions and building their own custom offerings on top.

Windows 10 screen
Software

Microsoft makes Windows 10 Enterprise available as a service

July 13, 2016 Robert Dutt Comments Off on Microsoft makes Windows 10 Enterprise available as a service
Making the top edition of Windows 10 available for $7 per user per month opens the doors to small businesses and the channels with which they work.

Cloud

ConnectWise expands Microsoft relationship with Azure support in Cloud Management Tool

July 13, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on ConnectWise expands Microsoft relationship with Azure support in Cloud Management Tool
ConnectWise has built its Microsoft practice up massively in a very short time, and the full support for Azure should continue that trend.

Managed Services

BitTitan, Dropbox see enormous opportunities in new go-to-market alliance

July 13, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on BitTitan, Dropbox see enormous opportunities in new go-to-market alliance
BitTitan and DropBox will collaborate on an integrated go-to-market strategy where the services of each will be bundled together and available to both channels.

Scott Guthrie, corporate vice president for cloud and enterprise at Microsoft
Cloud

Microsoft launches AppSource business cloud apps marketplace

July 12, 2016 Robert Dutt Comments Off on Microsoft launches AppSource business cloud apps marketplace
Microsoft’s AppSource marketplace offers users a way to quickly discover and trial business-specific cloud apps, and hands the leads over to partners.

Victor Paradell, vice president of IoT Solutions for Europe at Tech Data, and leader for Smart IoT Solutions by Tech Data
Distribution

Tech Data launches global IoT practice

July 12, 2016 Robert Dutt Comments Off on Tech Data launches global IoT practice
Smart IoT Solutions by Tech Data positions the distributor as an aggregator of Internet of Things solutions as it aims to “make IoT simple” for partners.

Cloud

SkyKick touts unique value proposition to WPC partners

July 12, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on SkyKick touts unique value proposition to WPC partners
SkyKick offers a three-pronged cloud management solution which facilitates migration, backup and management, using a 100 per cent channel model. They recently extended the platform by adding the capacity for partners to offer a white-labelled syndicated version from their own websites.

Channel Programs

Enabling partner-built solar systems big priority for Microsoft channel chief

July 12, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on Enabling partner-built solar systems big priority for Microsoft channel chief
With the Interim now removed from her job title, Gavriella Schuster talked with ChannelBuzz about her priorities going forward, including both things partners can expect to be announced at WPC, and her priorities beyond that.

Unified Communications

Microsoft relationship now key for independent Polycom

July 12, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on Microsoft relationship now key for independent Polycom
With the Mitel deal now off, Polycom needs to build its own bridge into a cloud future. Nick Tidd, who runs their Global Partner Organization, outlines the company’s plans to do just that, with one key objective being to get their own channel to sell Polycom and Microsoft together.