Microsoft Adds Azure to Open Licensing Program

Microsoft (MSFT) is adding another licensing option for Azure, the tech giant’s cloud computing platform for channel partners.

Microsoft this week announced in a blog post that it will make an additional Azure option available to the channel on August 1, 2014 through its Open Licensing program, to assist partners with transitioning to the cloud.

Presently there are only two Azure purchase options available to partners: either through the Azure website or as part of an enterprise agreement (EA) with Microsoft.

Partners can take advantage of Microsoft Volume Licensing, flexible monetary payments and additional opportunities through this new option, the company said.

Josh Waldo, senior director of cloud partner strategy at Microsoft, wrote in the blog post, “With Azure, partners are able to help customers embrace the speed, scale and economics of cloud through an open and flexible platform that provides all the building blocks to quickly build, deploy, and manage cloud-based solutions.”

Microsoft said it will provide partners with additional opportunities in sales and technical training to prepare for this opportunity.

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