Microsoft denies blurred Lar focus

Microsoft's enterprise customer and channel sales manager Steve Beswick has refuted suggestions that his appointment is a defocusing from the Lar community.

Beswick, who has been at Microsoft for four years, will replace Chris Lewis as Lar chief. Lewis will take the channel manager role vacated by David Smith earlier this month.

Lar sources have expressed concern that Beswick is 'not really known in the channel', although one confirmed he 'seems to be well respected'.

His appointment has also prompted renewed speculation that Microsoft may cut back its Lars. Beswick said there were no immediate plans to cull, but refused to guarantee that he would not reduce numbers.

'We are continually profiling our customer base. We make ongoing evaluations of our direct large accounts. We are not making cuts in the short term.'