Customers looking to sell and make use of Microsoft Azure can now do so via Azure in Open, available from value-added distributor Westcon.
As per the Microsoft Open Licensing Programme, the vendor's partners have been able to purchase and even re-purpose and package Microsoft products and services for their customers. The Open Licensing solution is a trusted mechanism for licensing products such as Windows, SQL Server and even Office 365.
"The benefit of a Microsoft Open licence is that you, the partner, own the relationship with your client as you acquire the licence from your distributor and continue to deal with your customer directly," states Kevin George, Microsoft business lead at Westcon Southern Africa.
"The cloud shook the channel a bit, as suddenly, Microsoft wanted your customers to purchase directly from them. However, with the introduction of Azure in Open, we are back to a place of business we know and understand, and through which we can best service our customers," adds George.
Accordingly, the Azure in Open licensing model now once again allows you to purchase Azure services, which then provides you access to the solution, from your preferred distributor and then repackage and resell these, or the services you have built on it, to your customers. As per the announcement of Azure in Open, customers will once again control the direct relationship with the end-user.
The way Azure in Open works is that customers will redeem an OSA key, which is similar to purchasing pay-as-you-go airtime. This voucher can be purchased for a predetermined value and redeemed through the normal method in the Volume Licensing Service Centre.
This key will then enable you to spend the value of the key on any consumption-based Azure services. You are also able to choose how much credit to put in your or your customer's account, and you have the flexibility to offer the service on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis.
"Azure in Open is the perfect answer for customers who were concerned they were losing control or sight of what their end-users were doing, as well as those who were suddenly facing problems when trying to manage or help control their customer's cloud environments," ends George.
Azure in Open is available from 1 August, contact Westcon for pricing.
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