Johannesburg, 15 Nov 2018
Technology giant Microsoft and the South African International Association of Microsoft Channel Partners (IAMCP) announced on Thursday, at the 2018 IAMCP golf day, joint strategic plans to strengthen collaboration and support avenues for local Microsoft partners throughout FY19.
The IAMCP serves as the effective single representative body to manage the South African technology industry's requirements of Microsoft partners, ensuring the relationship between all stakeholders is streamlined to deliver innovation and success.
Microsoft South Africa Commercial Partners Lead Lionel Moyal addressed partners at the 2018 IAMCP golf day and noted that Microsoft feels closely aligned to its partners and relies on them for continuous innovation in the industry. He also emphasised the benefits the technology giant has enjoyed owing to the creation of the One Commercial Partner (OCP) model, which has simplified partner engagements with Microsoft, enhanced the support they receive, and delivered deeper engagement with regard to customer opportunities.
IAMCP SA board member and Acctech CEO Tertius Zitzke concurred with Moyal, noting Microsoft is and always will be an organisation that is founded on its world-class partner ecosystem, and that it is up to IAMCP to ensure the models implemented, such as OCP, are properly utilised and applied by partners, and that it proves beneficial for all stakeholders.
"In everything we do, the ultimate aim is to ensure that the end-user is supported by a network of experts who deliver solutions that help them to thrive in the digitisation of business. This is a strategic priority which both the IAMCP and Microsoft are deeply invested in."
Zitzke added that investment into the Azure data centres to drive IT transformation on the most secure cloud in the world has placed a renewed focus on collaborative efforts between Microsoft and its partner network, and this forms one of the main focus points for IAMCP for FY19.
"We aim to host a stream of partner events comprising information sessions, training, knowledge transfer, and relationship building between Microsoft and the partner network to ensure that partners know where to focus their efforts to get the desired results, and to show them that industry partnership is not a threat but, when approached correctly, an avenue for success."
Head of Intervate and IAMCP board member Craig Mitchelmore stressed the Microsoft partner network is founded on collaboration. "The IAMCP strongly believes in prospering through partnership. We work very closely with our partners to ensure that we accurately represent their requirements to Microsoft and vice versa, to enable alignment between all stakeholders that will foster innovation and strengthen the Microsoft brand.
"The IAMCP serves as the voice of partners across South Africa to ensure they have what they need from Microsoft to succeed," he reiterated, adding the relationship between IAMCP and Microsoft in South Africa is highly engaged with the focus on creating new ideas and opportunities across the partner channel.
Mint Group CEO and IAMCP SA President, Carel du Toit, stressed: "There is no value in supporting an association if it does not provide a tangible business benefit." Therefore, the IAMCP is closely aligned to all industry stakeholders to ensure the needs of all organisations, big or small, are met.
"To ensure the effective operation of the IAMCP in South Africa and enable us as Microsoft partners to derive true value from this initiative, we are constantly engaging with partners across all specialisations and levels to hear what issues they are facing, what questions they have and what support is required to reach their objectives."
Du Toit concluded that the IAMCP is the lifeblood of the Microsoft partner channel, which is evident across the globe where chapters are in operation. "From the successful chapter activities and growth evident in countries across EMEA, such as Sweden and Germany, it is clear that IAMCP is indispensable to Microsoft and makes a big difference to the success and business direction of partners."
The IAMCP SA board comprises Carel du Toit (CEO of Mint Group), Tertius Zitske (CEO of Acctech), Craig Mitchelmore (Head of Intervate), George Grimes (Managing Director of EOH Microsoft Services), and Anton Herbst (CEO of Tarsus on Demand).
Want to join IAMCP South Africa?
IAMCP comprises the world's largest community of Microsoft partners. IAMCP's mission is to maximise the business potential of its members through peer-to-peer networking, member advocacy, community outreach, growth and education.
If you are interested in joining the South African IAMCP chapter, please reach out to us here.
What value does IAMCP SA provide to its members?
* Direction and support from Microsoft on strategy, sales, marketing and technical enablement for partners of all sizes.
* Exclusive educational opportunities.
* Peer collaboration and best practice expertise.
* Exclusive access to Microsoft resources and opportunities.
* Assistance navigating and leveraging the Microsoft ecosystem.
* P2P (partner-to-partner) referral opportunities.
* P2P alliance opportunities.
* Strong, long-lasting, reciprocal business relationships built on trust and mutual respect.
* Community-building charitable opportunities.
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