TIG bags Microsoft CSP status

MSP aiming to grow Office 365 and Azure business after gaining Cloud Solution Provider accreditation

Managed service provider TIG is on a mission to grow its Azure and Office 365 customer base after bagging Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) status.

The Watford-based Microsoft and VMware partner already claims to have 200 Office 365 customers but says its CSP status will improve its ability to support customers migrating to Microsoft cloud services.

Launched in 2014, the Microsoft CSP programme is designed to enable resellers to offer Microsoft cloud services, including Office 365, via monthly billing.

TIG chief executive Des Lekerman (pictured) said the firm's Office 365 and Azure sales have risen by 175 per cent in the past six months and predicted that the growth rate will accelerate.

"The CSP accreditation gives us the ability to directly transact with Microsoft for Office 365 and Azure. It also provides us with direct support," he said.

"It's amazing how many customers still have their production onsite and not in the cloud; the market is growing, but slowly. Now we've got CSP status and the market is maturing, [our Office 365 and Azure business] will accelerate even more quickly."

Lekerman said that, in order to gain CSP status, TIG had to have a billing platform and had to demonstrate it had a mature managed services business and was creditworthy.

"There are a number of CSPs out there but it's not a mature market yet, so people are still jostling for position," he said. "We are leveraging the skills we've built up over the years in managing solutions and infrastructure to deliver services to customers. If customers are going to Azure or Office 365, they want a partner like us that can deliver them a seamless transition."