Moving online
Exactly a year since Microsoft rolled-out its Business Productivity Online Standard (BPOS) suite, UK broadline distributor Computer 2000 has announced it has signed an agreement with Microsoft to drive a major reseller recruitment campaign for the cloud package.
BPOS is Microsoft's answer to the growing threat to its Office business model from the likes of Google and other SaaS (Software as a Service) offerings. It's a hosted communications tool centred on Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, Office Live Meeting, and Office Communications Online, designed to remotely provide SMBs with a complete business communications solution.
BT signed-up to resell BPOS to its customer last July, but it looks like Microsoft has decided the channel needs a push and has chosen C2000 to help it out.
Simon Gautrey, Software-plus-Services lead at Microsoft UK, stated: "Microsoft is delighted to see Computer 2000 supporting its channel of resellers by helping them enter this new era of technology, and guiding them to understand the true potential for their businesses offered by cloud applications."
C2000 is developing a bunch of resources to support this drive, including a dedicated portal, training and marketing collateral. "We believe there is a sizeable market out there for BPOS and see this as a major opportunity - for us and for SME resellers," said Lee Perkins, C2000 UK country manager. "We'll be making significant investments to support partners who share our enthusiasm."
"SaaS is going to be very significant in the future and by providing a way for them to take Microsoft BPOS to market, Computer 2000 is opening a route into that market for resellers," continued Perkins.
"The hosted option is a compelling one for messaging, collaboration and communications, both in terms of management overhead and total cost of ownership. From the reseller's perspective, it presents an opportunity to start selling hosted applications services and the potential to add a very healthy new and recurring revenue steam to their business."
