Data#3 has been appointed a Tier 1 Microsoft Cloud Solutions Provider, enabling the technology provider to deal directly with Microsoft and their customers, providing end-to-end visibility.

Tier 1 is for partners looking to provide an end-to-end customer experience including customer support. Under Tier 1, the partner has a direct relationship with Microsoft and has to have ‘high capability standards to provide a great customer experience.

Data#3 says in conjunction with the CSP program, Data^#3 will offer additional value-added services including consulting, migration, deployment, adoption and managed services, making it easier for customers to consume solutions in a utility based, per month, model.

Laurence Baynham, Data#3 chief executive  says those value-added services from providers are the differentiation point and are what delivers maximum value to the customer.

The ability to provide these services was a key prerequisite for being appointed as a Tier 1 Microsoft CSP, Baynham says.

Brad Colledge, Data^#3's Executive General Manager and member of Microsoft's Worldwide Licensing Partner Engagement Board, says Data#3 sold more than $47 million in Microsoft cloud licensing last year through traditional licensing models and the CSP program will accelerate the delivery and uptake of Data#3's cloud offerings, particularly those as part of a managed service.

“Data^#3 sits in the top 10 partners globally in terms of Microsoft revenue and the CSP program, combined with our services, complements our plan to grow our Microsoft cloud revenue to over $100 million this financial year,” Colledge says.

Baynham says the CSP program aligns with Data^#3's overall strategy to focus on new and emerging service-centric hybrid IT solutions.

“With services growth a key focus for Data^#3's long-term strategy, the non-transactional CSP model will help us to reach both our Microsoft, and corporate, goals,” Baynham says.

“Microsoft's leadership and growth in public cloud has been impressive and as a key partner, we will continue to benefit from their investments,” he says.

“Overall, we see this appointment as an opportunity to extend our leadership position with Microsoft in the region, and maintain our global significance in a rapidly expanding market,” says Baynham.

Data#3 was recently named Microsoft's Australian Licensing Solutions Partner of the Year.