Microsoft reveals Surface as a Service

Microsoft today announced its “Surface as a Service” program at WPC 2016. The company’s new program will allow its partners to sell through a managed service. The company’s Cloud Solution Providers will be able to offer Surface devices alongside Windows 10 Enterprise to Microsoft customers::

Now our Cloud Solution Providers (who are also Surface Authorized Distributors) can offer Surface devices through a managed service offering to all of our resellers and customers, alongside managed cloud services, Office 365, Windows 10, and relevant ISV software. This new offering enables flexibility of solutions, faster device refresh and ensures customers can have the latest Surface devices that evolve with the best Windows and Office have to offer. We launched this program with ALSO, a leading CSP out of Europe, and look forward to working with other partners to expand this program globally

Alongside Surface as a Service, Microsoft also announced that the company is expanding its Surface Multi-National Purchasing Program, allowing retailers such as CDW, Insight, SHI and Zones to deliver Surface devices to their enterprise custoemrs.

• Today, we announced the ability to sell Surface as a Service. Now our Cloud Solution Providers (who are also Surface Authorized Distributors) can offer Surface devices through a managed service offering to all of our resellers and customers, alongside managed cloud services, Office 365, Windows 10, and relevant ISV software. This new offering enables flexibility of solutions, faster device refresh and ensures customers can have the latest Surface devices that evolve with the best Windows and Office have to offer. We launched this program with ALSO, a leading CSP out of Europe, and look forward to working with other partners to expand this program globally
• Today we also announced an expansion of our Surface Multi-National Purchasing Program with the addition of CDW, Insight, SHI and Zones. Now, each of these resellers can provide their enterprise customers Surface devices and accessories. As a result, enterprise customers can have added choice in how they purchase Surface devices, benefit from a streamlined path for getting Surface on company-wide standards lists, and see cross-country adoption for line of business scenarios.
• Last year, we announced a partnership with Dell as part of our Surface Enterprise Initiative – and we’ve seen great results. Since then, our customer and partners have told us they need help creating tailored solutions that digitize workflow across core business processes.  A transformation like that requires Surface devices that are not only highly portable, powerful and versatile, but also bring the industry leading security and productivity capabilities of Windows 10. Today we announced an expansion to the Surface Enterprise Initiative with two new partnerships with IBM and Booz Allen Hamilton to deliver industry specific solutions to our shared customers. IBM will draw on their data and analytics expertise to create new industry-specific solutions for the financial services and consumer packaged goods sectors that take advantage of the unique capabilities of Surface devices. Booz Allen Hamilton will develop scalable and more secure solutions for Governments, the Public Sector and Healthcare.

Lastly, Microsoft has also teamed up with IBM and Booz Allen Hamilton to expand its Surface Enterprise Initiative.