Exeed and Dicker Data - previously known locally as Express Data - have joined Ingram Micro in leading the second phase of Microsoft's cloud solution provider programme, with all three named two-tier New Zealand distributors for the programme.

Designed to help traditional resellers grow their cloud practices with new Microsoft solutions, the programme provides resellers' customers with access to cloud services from Microsoft's Australian data centers.

Resellers own the end-to-end selling and provisioning of the services, and maintain the monthly billing relationships with customers.

Resellers can provision, bundle, invoice, manage and support the Microsoft offerings, with Office365 available immediately.

Azure and CRM Online will be introduced to the programme later this year.

Through the CSP programme, partners will be able to sell bundled solutions with Microsoft Cloud Services, as well as create cloud subscription and partner offers, and set prices for single packaged solutions.

The two-tier distributors provide reseller and customer support, unlike one-tier, where partners have a direct relationshop with Microsoft and are required to provide an end-to-end customer experience, including customer support.

Brent Kendrick, Microsoft New Zealand director of small and midmarket solutions and partners, says the deal means the programme has now been expanded to the entire channel, via the three distribution partners.

Kendrick says partners have been requesting the service, to complete their customer lifecycle capabilities.

“CSP is a new programme and we are still learning and improving as we go.

“However, the clear benefit of this to our partners is that it will allow them to have greater ownership of the business relationship as they provide these services to their customers,” Kendrick says.

“Partners are shifting to higher margin service offerings via IP services, project services and managed services.

“They are evolving their business models, so this programme aims to add value to that new paradigm.