Azure Stack, the new hybrid cloud platform from Microsoft, opens up new opportunities for Pulsant in the form of a broader set of channel partners, while its extended portfolio will benefit current partners.
“Azure Stack is set to revolutionise the cloud market and we are ensuring that our partners are able to realise the benefits that it will deliver, and helping to drive additional hardware, consultation and support services revenue. With that in mind, Pulsant’s revitalised partner programme gives us new ways to engage with our partners, while offering them an expanding set of products, solutions and opportunities,” says Simon Hendy, channel manager, Pulsant.
“This includes AMP Launch Pad, a one-node version of Azure Stack, developed with Microsoft and Dell EMC exclusive to Pulsant. This provides partners and their customers with a cost-effective and simplified way of exploring the uses and benefits of the technology before committing to a full Azure Stack deployment.”
The partner programme, comprising a reseller and referral component, has been refreshed to reflect this addition of Azure Stack to the Pulsant portfolio. The referral programme has been redefined and streamlined to accommodate the product and solutions side of Azure Stack, while the reseller programme has been revamped to include a more product-focused approach to selling and supporting the four, eight and 12 node versions of Azure Stack.
“The addition of Azure Stack ensures that we can now attract a broader subset of partners, such as traditional Microsoft partners, and other cloud resellers, that can make full use of Pulsant’s resources, managed services and expertise in the market. One of the key advantages of Stack is that we can host it and provide a full managed service wrap around the environment for the end customer, or Stack can be colocated in one of our datacentres,” says Hendy.
One of the main changes to the programme sees partners able to fulfil roles as both referral and reseller in order to maximise market opportunities.
In addition, the Partner Portal has been completely overhauled. It now features a user-friendly interface where partners can manage their own accounts, register deals, and access a host of specially-designed marketing collateral and sales guides, as well as product news and special offers.
“As a business where the channel plays such a critical role, we are always looking at ways to deliver more value to our partners so that they can pass that value on to their own customers. The launch of Azure Stack has provided us with the ideal opportunity to rejuvenate our partner programme and deliver an improved offering to both our own customers and partners.”
“There has been tremendous interest in Azure Stack from partners already, who are keen to get ahead of the pack in order to be the first to deliver the full benefits of hybrid cloud to their customers,” concludes Hendy.
