5 Things Microsoft (MSFT) Must Do In 2014
How can Microsoft's (MSFT) next CEO work more closely with channel partners, VARs, MSPs and cloud services providers (CSPs)? Here are five steps from The VAR Guy.
January 2, 2014
![What does Microsoft need to do for partners in 2014 Here are five suggestions What does Microsoft need to do for partners in 2014 Here are five suggestions](https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blt10e444bce2d36aa8/blt209415ce58865e86/65247d0b7a0cbdc0a054d71a/microsoft-logo_0.jpg?width=700&auto=webp&quality=80&disable=upscale)
What does Microsoft need to do for partners in 2014? Here are five suggestions.
Microsoft has been seeking CEO Steve Ballmer's successor since September 2013. Early candidates like Ford CEO Alan Mulally apparently have dropped out of the running. The VAR Guy is still leaning toward Microsoft Cloud and Enterprise Executive VP Satya Nadella. When Microsoft names Ballmer's successor, the company must shift from a partner-led to a partner-first focus. It's time to make VARs, MSPs and CSPs the No. 1 priority again, rather than an after-thought during major launches like Surface, Office 365 and Windows Azure.
Good news: The latest Surface 2 tablet television commercials don't have dancers celebrating snap-in keyboards. Instead, Microsoft is starting to talk about business use cases. Too often, the conversation still involves running Microsoft Office on tablets (yawn). Time for Microsoft to actually describe health care, financial services, retail and other vertical-market applications that mobile VARs can promote to customers.
Microsoft now ranks among the Top 100 Cloud Services Providers (CSPs). Office 365 and Windows Azure each have $1 billion+ annual revenue run rates. Plenty of VARs resell Office 365. But too few VARs understand how to deploy applications and services atop Windows Azure. Even fewer integrate Office 365 with Azure-based applications. Microsoft needs to change that. Put companies and services like Kaseya's Command 365 in the spotlight, and show VARs how integated Office 365/Azure services can drive profits and automation.
Microsoft is building a network of Cloud OS service providers — each of which leverage Windows Server, Hyper-V, System Center and Azure pack capabilities. But here's the thing: Cloud OS partners must both compete and cooperate with Microsoft's own cloud services (Office 365, Windows Azure, SQL Azure, etc.). Without continued partner nurturing, Microsoft could wind up killing a few of its Cloud OS alliance members. Don't let that happen, Microsoft.
Sure, you can run a range of Microsoft services on Google Android and Apple iOS devices. But Microsoft's next CEO must go back to the company's original mission: Put low-cost, high-volume software tools into the hands of all potential users. That means ALL of Microsoft's mobile and cloud applications must be delivered AT THE SAME TIME across iOS, Android and Windows platforms.
Microsoft's Channel Chief crown shifted from Jon Roskill to Phil Sorgen in September 2013. Former Channel Chief Roskill — and Microsoft's partners — suffered when the technology giant launched Office 365 and Surface tablets with little to no partner programs in place. The VAR Guy often blamed CEO Steve Ballmer — rather than Roskill — as Microsoft lost its "Partner First" focus. Sorgen — working closely with Microsoft's next CEO — can potentially change that reality and put partners front-and-center for all service and device launches going forward…
At least that's The VAR Guy's vision for how things should work in 2014 and beyond at Microsoft…
Microsoft's Channel Chief crown shifted from Jon Roskill to Phil Sorgen in September 2013. Former Channel Chief Roskill — and Microsoft's partners — suffered when the technology giant launched Office 365 and Surface tablets with little to no partner programs in place. The VAR Guy often blamed CEO Steve Ballmer — rather than Roskill — as Microsoft lost its "Partner First" focus. Sorgen — working closely with Microsoft's next CEO — can potentially change that reality and put partners front-and-center for all service and device launches going forward…
At least that's The VAR Guy's vision for how things should work in 2014 and beyond at Microsoft…
Microsoft (MSFT) will likely announce its next CEO sometime in the first half of 2014. But what does the software, services and devices giant need to do for its channel partners this year? Here are 5 recommendations from the VAR Guy. View all photos and captions using the slide navigation above right.
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