Microsoft Simplifies Cloud Adoption

SMBs in India will now be able to purchase Microsoft Azure cloud platform from their local IT partner. Microsoft has made this possible by making Azure available in the open licensing catalogue for India. SMBs in India rely on products available with their local IT partner in open licensing catalogue to fulfil their IT needs. With the inclusion of Azure, SMBs will now be able to procure their entire IT portfolio from a single Microsoft partner of their choice.

Cloud is a great way for SMBs to enhance their business efficiency with little expenditure on IT. Microsoft makes available the most comprehensive portfolio of enterprise-grade cloud services preparing them to compete with the best across the world. Office 365 is already available in the open catalogue. With the addition of Azure, SMBs will be able to quickly build and deploy applications at reduced costs with flexible monetary terms and achieve faster return on investment.

Previously customers could purchase Azure either directly from www.azure.microsoft.com or as part of an Enterprise Agreement (EA) with Microsoft. While these options would continue, SMBs are likely to leverage their existing partners to procure Azure.

Microsoft is continuing to enable SMB customers and partners to embrace cloud as the preferred mode for deployment of IT. Azure further incentivizes partners to ‘do more' for SMBs. It will help them deepen the engagement with customers in identifying and supporting IT usage through Azure. Partners will also be able to strengthen their revenue stream while working closely with customers.