Tech Data Corporation is aiming to build on the success of is Velocity accelerator programme, ramping up its technical training for Microsoft Azure and opening the door for more resellers to get involved. It has also launched a drive to encourage Microsoft partners to move customers from Open Licensing programmes to the Microsoft Cloud Solutions Provider (CSP) programme.
To date, 53 partners have enrolled on Velocity with 15 already advancing to Silver Cloud Competency and two of the group going on to achieve Gold status. Training is the core element of the programme and Tech Data has delivered face-to-face courses to more than 250 partner delegates, accelerating their progress towards Microsoft accreditation.
All Velocity Partners are fully-funded by Tech Data for the main technical course requirement and aligned to a named Microsoft Solutions Architect and Azure account manager. In addition, they have access to Marketing as a Service funds that equates to as much as £10,000 per partner.
John-James Uezzell, Business Development Manager for Microsoft Azure at Tech Data said, "we have a tried and tested formula for getting Microsoft resellers to the point where there are competent and confident in selling workloads for deployment on Azure and ramping up their consumption income. If they take full advantage of the training and mentoring available, they can move to Silver Competency quite smoothly and from there, build on the platform of support we provide as part of Velocity."
"We have reached a point where resellers who can clearly articulate, present and price the options for solutions running on Azure are seeing their sales accelerate swiftly. Customers seem to be ready to understand and accept the benefits of the cloud and commit to Azure."
Tech Data is also providing more support for partners building their Azure-based business by providing access to Proof-of-Concept (PoC) funding on prospective deals. The scheme provides two months of funded consumption for qualifying prospects. In addition, Tech Data has also embarked on a campaign to get more customers who are still on Microsoft Open licensing to move onto the cloud programme. CSP allows customers to flex user numbers up or down and ensures software and agreements are always up to date.
Tech Data is working with resellers to identify licenses that can be transitioned from Microsoft Open Licensing. It is also making enablement resources available and running as series of workshops to help resellers understand how to position and present cloud-based solutions and CSP with customers.
The training and workshop events are focusing on the Microsoft vision of the Modern Workplace, and feature technologies such as the Surface Hub and Surface Mobile devices, and the company's cloud solutions. Partners attending the events will be briefed on CSP and on the Surface Hub Value Added Distributor Program for Opportunity Resellers (VADOR).