Microsoft set for Surface Hub channel push

Microsoft looks to add more Surface Hub partners and introduces try-and-buy programme

Microsoft claims that demand for its Surface Hub "far exceeds its expectation" as it launches a try-and-buy programme and looks to increase the number of its resellers selling the product.

The vendor claims it will have shipped Surface Hubs to over 2,000 customers by the end of this year, with an average order size of around 50 units.

Brian Hall, CVP of Microsoft devices marketing, said: "The demand we are seeing with Surface Hub far exceeds our expectations, even though we knew it was a game-changing product.

"We've ramped up Surface Hub production and it's available for customers worldwide [and] resellers worldwide have units.

"To help meet the demand for Surface Hub, and to provide a great experience for customers, we're adding more value-added partners who will resell Surface and provide five-star service to our customers.

Hall did not clarify how many partners Microsoft will add to its Surface Hub programme, which originally launched in Europe with just 20 specialist audiovisual partners. The Microsoft website currently shows 32 partners in Europe.

Dublin-based EMIT, not yet listed on the website as a Surface Hub partner, recently sold Surface Hub devices to a client and managing director Eamon Moore said the product creates a good opportunity for partners that haven't operated in the audiovisual space before to move into that arena.

"The Surface Hub very much suits any kind of business, but especially those which are on that Microsoft journey in terms of utilising various Microsoft solutions, cloud solutions; there's great innovation from them there," he said.

"When you look at the Microsoft strategy and the channel partner strategy - when you see things such as [Office 365 Enterprise] E5 and cloud PBX coming out as well - the technology conversation is going beyond traditional IT into more end-to-end conversations with clients.

"As a channel partner, AV is very much a solution that we're finding we're involved in these days and it's a piece where we can continue to add value."

Microsoft also announced that the Surface Hub Try-and-Buy Programme, set to launch in Europe and the US "this winter", will allow resellers to provide a Surface Hubs to customers 30 days before they commit to purchasing a large quantity of the devices.