Microsoft and HP get SaaSy with resellers
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Posted in Software, 10th December 2008 19:31 GMT
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Hewlett-Packard and Microsoft hope to give its value-added resellers (VARs) a leg-up in the Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) game by schooling their channel partners on how to effectively sell the apps to SMB customers.
Microsoft said today that under a new initiative with HP, the two companies plan to give VARs the tools and guidance that will “enable them to offer ‘private label’ Microsoft solutions that are hosted by managed service providers”.
So where does HP fit into the picture? The computer giant will pre-configure HP BladeSystem, HP Proliant and HP StorageWorks products to run Microsoft’s SaaS apps, which Redmond prefers to dub Software Plus Services offerings, such as Exchange and SharePoint.
Unsurprisingly, Microsoft also took the opportunity to claim the initiative meant both companies are “ensuring that their joint VARs get a seat at the cloud table by offering IT alternatives to help SMB customers be more competitive.” ®
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