In addition to Windows 10, Microsoft also announced on Tuesday that it’s expanding its “Surface Enterprise Initiative” that will allow cloud providers that are also Surface authorized distributors to sell Surface as a Service to resellers and customers.
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Xbox boss Phil Spencer says that this doesn’t mean Microsoft is going back on the promise of allowing players to buy a game once and enjoy it across both Windows 10 and Xbox One.
“This new offering enables flexibility of solutions, faster device refresh, and ensures customers can have the latest Surface devices that evolve with the best Windows and Office have to offer”, Yusuf Mehdi, corporate vice president of Microsoft’s Windows and Devices Group, wrote in a blog post today.
The program is initially being launched with ALSO, a Cloud Solution Provider in Europe, but Microsoft says it will expand the program worldwide.
Also at WPC, Microsoft announced a new partnership with GE that will see the conglomerate integrate its Predix platform into Microsoft’s cloud-based Azure to appeal to big enterprises, as well as a deal with IBM for that company to sell its Surface products.
But because Windows 10 uses digital licenses instead of traditional product keys, many of you are probably wondering if your free upgrade will remain in effect if you change major parts of your computer’s hardware – specifically, the motherboard.
IBM will create new data/analytics-centric solutions for Surface for the financial services and consumer packaged goods industries.
Booz Allen Hamilton will develop scalable and secure solutions for Governments, the Public Sector and Healthcare verticals. These resellers can provide enterprise users with Surface devices and accessories, which may make it easier for some to get Surfaces on company-wide volume purchasing plans.
Microsoft has started offering Surface as a Service subscriptions in a bid to bring up enterprise adoption of Windows 10.
Microsoft execs said since Dell was signed as a Surface Pro reseller last September, more than 800 customers have purchased Surfaces directly from Dell. The options will bundle Windows 10, Office 365, and managed services through the ISV tailored to the customer needs.
Mehdi said the new program is ideal for businesses that do not have dedicated IT resources or have limited IT staff, and want their licensing and IT needs managed by an outsourcing partner.
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Simplified licensing and deployment, and partner-managed IT were also promised features.
