Microsoft and Intuit nearly exchanged wedding vows in 1994. Fast forward to the present, and the two software giants are infatuated with each other again. This time their mutual admiration involves shifting small businesses to cloud computing, Windows Azure and Intuit’s App Center. Here’s where VARs fit in.
First, let’s reminisce a bit. Back in October 1994, Microsoft was crazy for Intuit Quicken and home banking. Ah, to be young and in love. Microsoft ultimately bid $1.5 billion to buy Intuit — but regulatory issues crushed the proposed deal. Easy come, easy go.
Fast forward to the present. The shrinkwrapped software market has lost its sex appeal. Microsoft and Intuit are leaping into the cloud — and climbing under the covers together again. This time around Microsoft and Intuit say they will help…
- developers write small business applications for the Intuit App Center
- channel partners and developers to leverage the Intuit Partner Platform and Windows Azure
For VARs that promote Small Business Server, Intuit Quickbooks and other on-premise applications, the message is clear: You better put your toes in the water and give emerging cloud services a try.
Intuit has been transitioning aggressively to SaaS, and Microsoft is set to officially launch Windows Azure in February. Will the Microsoft-Intuit partnership work out this time around? The answer really doesn’t matter. With our without each other, Intuit and Microsoft are marching into the cloud. VARs should at least give their efforts a look.
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