Sage to prep channel ahead of cloud launch

Geordie software house to work with Microsoft to get partners and end users up to speed

Sage is looking to get its partners ready to sell and deploy cloud offerings ahead of the launch of the Windows Azure-based Sage 200 Online suite later this year.

In May last year the Newcastle-based software house announced it was working on making certain of its SMB ERP applications available through a cloud-based Azure platform. The first of these to launch in the UK will be Sage 200 Online, which includes SageOne and SagePay, as well as mobile services and managed services elements.

Ahead of its launch later in 2013, Sage is holding a series of Cloud Boot Camps for reseller and developer partners to bring them up to speed on the ins and outs of selling cloud solutions to both new and existing customers.

The vendor claims that the training programmes are the first in what will be a series of initiatives designed to skill up partners and drive uptake of its cloud offerings. Steve Attwell, general manager of Sage's lower mid-market division, said his firm will be working closely with Microsoft in the coming months to prepare the channel for the upcoming cloud launch.

"Sage 200 Online has the potential to transform the operations of businesses that want to unlock the benefits of the web, and promises to be a huge coup for growing businesses making the transition to online applications," he added.