Computacenter one of six launch partners for Microsoft managed desktop scheme

UK is one of two countries to see rollout of vendor's newest subscription service

UK reseller and services giant Computacenter is among the first global partners for Microsoft's newest offering, Microsoft Managed Desktop (MMD).

The new scheme provides corporate customers with the option of having Microsoft manage their Windows 10 devices.

MMD works on a monthly subscription basis and offers device-as-a-service (DaaS), Microsoft 365 Enterprise (a bundle that includes Windows 10 Enterprise, Office 365 and Enterprise Mobility and Security), cloud-based device management and monthly feature and security updates.

MMD will also use analytics to constantly "monitor and improve" individual devices, as well as allow the tech giant to manage MMD devices worldwide.

In a blog post announcing the news, Bill Karagounis, general manager at Microsoft, said this new subscription model is based on feedback from enterprise customers.

"[Our customers] feel pulled between the requirement to stay secure and up to date against the need to drive more business value," he said.

"They are challenged to deliver the great user experiences that employees want and expect.

"And the sophistication of today's security threats requires organisations to rethink how they deploy, manage, and secure assets for their users."

The service is now live among a "small number" of customers in the UK and US, before rolling out to Canada, Australia and New Zealand early next year, with plans to expand further in the second half of 2019.

Computacenter is joined by HP, Dell, DXC, Indian IT services provider HCL and Accenture/Avanade in the line-up of launch partners for the new product.

"We see great opportunities for our partner ecosystem to expand their existing Microsoft 365 activities and provide devices and experiences alongside MMD," Karagounis stated.

"Through MMD, customers will be able to move towards a secure, always up-to-date environment with device management by Microsoft.

"As we expand the offering, our partners will play a key role in helping us bring MMD to market and support customers in their transition to a modern desktop."

Microsoft specified that devices must meet a "specification and runtime quality bar"in order to run MMD.

A spokesperson for Microsoft clarified to CRN that OEMs like HP and Dell will participate in providing the modern devices, in addition to Microsoft's own Surface devices, in order to give customers a choice.