Ingram plays white knight on Microsoft Office 365 referrals
Microsoft is pulling the plug on commissions available to referral partners, but Ingram is offering a similar programme that is now available in the UK
Ingram Micro has announced the global availability of an Office 365 referral programme following Microsoft's decision to pull the plug on a similar scheme.
As of 1 October 2016, Microsoft partners can no longer earn fees for referring new Office 365 business to Microsoft through its Advisor programme. As of 1 July 2017, they will also no longer receive commission for managing Microsoft cloud subscriptions for existing business, as this blog details.
Having already cut the fees available through this programme in 2015, Microsoft is apparently keen for more Advisor partners to switch to its Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) programme. This would involve them having to provide billing and support.
Ingram, however, is offering partners the chance to continuing earning fees simply for referring Office 365 business through its Ingram Micro Cloud Referral Programme.
Launched in the US last year, it has now been made available globally, with the UK one of 16 countries where it is now up and running.
The scheme enables current Microsoft Advisor partners to sell new Office 365 subscriptions through the distributor with "the same level of commitment they had via the Office 365 Advisor programme," Ingram claims.
Ingram added that it allows them to continue earning commissions on existing Microsoft Office 365 Advisor subscriptions.
"Designed for partners looking for quick and seamless entry into the cloud services market, recurring revenue streams, or a way to establish a Microsoft Cloud practice without the financial investment, the Ingram Micro Cloud Referral Programme delivers the expertise, resources and tools to convert existing website traffic into cloud sales," said Nimesh Dave, executive vice president, Global Cloud, Ingram Micro.
"We are pleased to now expand our Cloud Referral Programme globally and provide reseller partners even more ways to profit in the cloud."