Software King of the World Microsoft is ending pay-as-you-go Azure access for new smaller customers on the Microsoft Products and Services Agreement, as it turns to channel partners to win small customers.
At the moment punters are purchasing Azure on a pay-as-you-go basis through the MPSA. Vole’s new customers seeking the payment plan will be “guided” towards Microsoft’s Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) programme.
According to Richard Smith, Microsoft’s general manager for commercial licensing the new licensing focus was a matter of “enhancing and creating synergies” across the ways in which it goes to business.
It means that customers seeking to dip their toes into Azure on a PAYG basis will now need to go through the Channel.
Vole will not make much extra cash from selling through the channel, but Volish thinking is that small suppliers are more likely to stay signed up to a Channel programme than sticking to something more direct.
Many smaller customers don’t see the true benefits of the Azure cloud because they lack the skills.
By encouraging customers to work with partners via the CSP programme, it will mean that there is a greater chance of success and ultimately a greater consumption of services from the Cloud.
