It could be a sign of things to come. Heading into the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference 2009 (WPC09), Computer Sciences Corp. (CSC) has agreed to resell Microsoft Business Productivity Online Suite (BPOS). CSC’s move represents an inflection point for VARs and managed service providers, many of which are trying to decide whether to host Exchange and SharePoint on their own — or simply resell Microsoft’s own hosted services.
CSC says the Microsoft BPOS reseller agreement covers:
- Microsoft Exchange Online
- Microsoft SharePoint Online
- Microsoft Office Communications Online
- Microsoft Office Live Meeting
BPOS will surely be a hot topic of discussion at the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference 2009, starting July 13 in New Orleans. Some VARs wonder if they can make reasonable margin reselling BPOS. (Check out this Directions on Microsoft article for a good overview of the BPOS strategy.)
Multiple Routes to Success
Meanwhile, Microsoft partners like Azaleos, Intermedia and Level Platforms continue to push forward with hosted and managed services initiatives of their own.
- Azaleos has won some massive Exchange Server outsourcing deals in recent weeks.
- Intermedia claims to be the largest independent Exchange hosting provider, with more than 325,000 managed mailboxes. Now, Intermedia is beta testing Hosted Exchange 2010 with selected VARs and MSPs.
- Level Platforms has rolled out a set of tools that allow MSPs to more effectively manage BPOS applications.
At the same time, some VARs and MSPs are opting for third-party SaaS alternatives — such as the Google Apps Reseller program or the Zoho Alliances Partner Program.
We’ll be sorting through more Hosted Exchange, Hosted SharePoint and BPOS strategies during the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference.
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Tags: Azaleos Managed Exchange | Exchange Online | Google Apps Reseller | Hosted Exchange | Hosted Exchange 2010 | Hosted SharePoint | Intermedia Hosted Exchange | Level Platforms BPOS | Level Platforms Business Productivity Online Suite | Level Platforms Microsoft | Microsoft BPOS | Microsoft Business Productivity Online Suite | Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference 2009 | Microsoft WPC 2009 | SharePoint Online | WPC09 | Zoho Alliances Partner Program
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[...] the original post: Microsoft SaaS: Host It Or Resell It? Share and [...]
Microsoft SaaS – We sell it, specifically we sell through partners only and that includes SERVICES like SharePoint, Exchange, OCS and host the Dynamics ERP products like NAV, AX, GP and more. While it seems like MS is culling the Gold Partner herd and more than likely start to offer ERPLive or something, we will focus on the infrastructure and expertise our partners require with margins they appreciate so when something else comes along, they have no reason to leave…
Great article! Thanks.