Microsoft SME scheme set to grow

Software giant appoints six UK SME consultants

Microsoft is planning to beef up its small to medium sized enterprise (SME) consulting scheme if it proves successful.

The company has appointed six SME consultants to deal directly with selected Microsoft resellers. Each consultant will look after a specific UK region, and the team will work with up to 300 partners.

Tim Kimber, SME business product manager at the Redmond giant, admitted that each region would be a lot for one person to cover, but said that the company would hire more consultants if the scheme is a success. "Each reseller will be invited to join by Microsoft, depending on the level of business they have with us," he said.

"Once the resellers have been selected, there will not be a huge number of hurdles for them to jump over," he added, saying that the consultants' main job will be to help resellers "drive Microsoft's products forward".

Chris Jones, a senior analyst at Canalys.com, said: "It will be good for resellers to have a face-to-face relationship with Microsoft."