Fujitsu Services quits LAR status

Fujitsu Services is exiting Microsoft's large account reseller (LAR) programme after concluding that software licensing is not core to its business.

The IT services giant said the business would be outsourced to a rival LAR later this year.

“We looked at what benefits being a LAR brought our customers and there did not seem to be any that could not be fulfilled through a partner,” a representative said.

Ross Miller, managing director of LAR Trustmarque, said he understood Microsoft would raise the barrier of entry onto the programme at the start of its financial year in July. The UK currently has 17 LARs.

“Those that do not have enough volume in the market will see it as more trouble than it is worth,” Miller warned.

Shaun Fröhlich, chairman of LAR Teksys, said: “Customers will not like to be transitioned to a particular LAR. This is an opportunity for the LAR community more generally.”

Simon Aldous, partner group manager at Microsoft UK, said: “We are working with it [Fujitsu] to ensure that there is a smooth transition for its customers.”