UK Azure reseller handpicked to help Microsoft develop products

PowerON becomes only sixth UK partner inducted to invite-only programme

Microsoft has selected PowerON to join its Enterprise Mobility + Security (EMS) Elite Partner Team, a move that will see the York-based Azure specialist assist it in developing new and existing products.

The invite-only programme comprises just 70 companies globally, and PowerON is only the sixth UK-based firm to be inducted to it.

Under the programme, PowerON will have access to early product announcements and will engage in private previews and early product testing.

PowerON was only founded in 2015 as an IT management and cloud automation specialist, specialising in Microsoft Azure and System Center.

Recently moving into new York headquarters and with satellite offices in Lincolnshire and Surrey, the firm now has 30 staff and a revenue runrate of £2m.

PowerON says its inclusion in the programme reflects it "investing deeply" in Microsoft's EMS technology.

Stewart McLaughlan, PowerON's EMS Mobility Consultant, said: "Being invited to join Microsoft's prestigious EMS Elite Partner Team is a major feat and reinforces our credentials as one of the world's leading players in the IT automation field. It gives us direct access to Microsoft's product development team and its decision makers, so we can share feedback from our customers and other end-users, as well as supporting them as they plug potential gaps and develop new products.

"This means we'll be completely up to date with Microsoft's latest software developments, as well as helping to shape their future, which will further enhance the levels of service, knowledge, expertise and opportunities that we can offer our customers."

Suzanne Grant, senior programme manager at Microsoft, added: "We are pleased to welcome PowerON into the EMS Elite Partner Program and look forward to collaborating to drive EMS deployment and usage to ensure our customers get the most value out of our products and services."