Microsoft Embraces The Channel

Microsoft has recently started to accept solution providers as a sales channel for its cloud-based services,  especially within the last year, when the IT giant opened up its complete suite of cloud-based products -- including Office 365, SharePoint, Microsoft Dynamics and Azure -- through its relationship with Los Angeles-based SADA Systems, according to Jason Cutler, SADA’s director of channel sales.

"It’s the first time in a while that Microsoft is understanding how important the channel is," Cutler said. "The dirty laundry on Microsoft is that the active usage on sold licenses is about 30 percent, and that’s going to be driving their stock price in the next 12 to 18 months. Going forward, they know partners [can help] that number increase year over year."