Only three per cent of Microsoft partners sell cloud

Vendor claims 20,000 global partners selling cloud is not enough

Microsoft has admitted only three per cent of its global channel base is actively transacting cloud technology as its chief operating officer Kevin Turner rallies VARs to sell more.

Turner claimed that only 20,000 of its 650,000 plus partner base – three per cent – are regular and active cloud resellers, and insisted that urgency is required to make the most of the technology while it is still in strong-growth mode.

At the vendor's Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC) in Houston, Turner rallied VARs by saying wants all the remaining 97 per cent of partners to join the cloud sellers.

"The cloud market is being made right now," he told the packed stadium of partners. "I have pleaded [with you] at the last four WPCs to come with me to the cloud – urgency is required. We have tremendous momentum – incredible momentum and we are driving that. Think of the opportunity.

"Twenty-thousand Microsoft partners are transacting with us in the cloud. Two things: one, thanks to the 20,000 – we appreciate it. You're doing it. Two: come on, man, where's the other 630,000 [partners] we have? What do you need? Let's talk!

"No other company in the world has 20,000 cloud partners. Some say we should celebrate. But, dude, this is Microsoft – we are for partners, built by partners, with partners. I want all 600,000-plus partners transacting the cloud – that's what I want, that's what I need! That is the opportunity – we're growing 500, 100, 200 [per cent] – pick your favourite number over 100 – we're growing at that rate – let's go!"

Cloud has been talked about in great detail during the event – forming one of the firm's four key focus areas along with big data, mobile and social.

Microsoft's UK director for partner strategy and programmes Janet Gibbons said after the event that in the UK, 2,200 of 34,000 partners – or six per cent of them – transact the cloud actively, which is double the global average.

Microsoft has announced it will roll its Cloud Essentials and Accelerate incentive and training programmes into its Partner Network from January next year to show that cloud is no longer an optional extra and should be a part of all Competencies.