Avnet has become the first distributor to join Microsoft's Cloud OS Network program in Australia and New Zealand, in a move the distie says offers its reseller partners a host of benefits and a competitive advantage.

The distributor says the COSN program enables it to provide its partners with additional sales and support capabilities when entering new and complementary cloud markets.

Avnet's inclusion in the Cloud OS Network program – a group of cloud service providers who collaborate with Microsoft to offer technically-validated, cloud-based infrastructure and application solutions – enables it to combine its hosting expertise with Microsoft technology to provide increased options for Avnet private, Azure public or hybrid cloud data center solutions.

Among the requirements for joining the COSN program was an ‘intensive' development exercise including building an environment to standards set by Microsoft, and leveraging key Microsoft cloud technologies including Windows Azure Pack (WAP) and Azure.

Avnet partners can now access Avnet's implementation of the WAP management portal, which Avnet says will enable creation and end-to-end management of complex environments.

Chris Farrow, Avnet Technology Solutions Australia and New Zealand business manager for Avnet Cloud Services, says Avnet's new offering, Avnet Premium Private Cloud, will enable partners to reduce costs, simplify implementation and user experience and accelerate their time to market.

“Our partners can now get a seamless, true hybrid cloud solution from one provider and gain a real competitive advantage in the marketplace,” Farrow says.

Avnet's inclusion in the Cloud OS Network (COSN) program sees the company elevated from Gold Hosting partner to one of a select group in the COSN.