Exit of MS staff hits Metrologie

Microsoft and Metrologie?s relationship was further strained this week following the resignation of two of the distributor?s staff responsible for the software giant?s business.

Ian Waring, Microsoft business manager at Metrologie, is leaving to join internet service provider Demon Internet as project manager and Tracy Crawley, Microsoft product manager at Metrologie, is joining Business Systems Group in the same capacity.

Waring and Crawley were unable to comment on their reasons for leaving. Crawley claimed that the relationship between Microsoft and Metrologie was ?still strong?.

Metrologie refused to comment about the departures or whether Waring and Crawley would be replaced.

The departures will not help Metrologie in its high-level talks to avoid being axed by the software giant (PC Dealer, 25 June).

The future of the relationship between Microsoft and Metrologie was thrown into further doubt by speculation that Edward Hyde, Microsoft distribution account manager at Metrologie, is to move to the vendor?s enterprise customer unit.

Geoff Wright, distribution manager at Microsoft, refused to comment on the rumours but said talks were still going on between the two companies.

A source claimed Microsoft was committed to ending the distribution relationship in the UK, but was being cautious to avoid souring relations with Metrologie in France. ?It has to make things sound in France before it can go ahead.?

It is understood that Metrologie France is putting pressure on Microsoft not to drop the UK contract.