Dynamics CRM Online one of Microsoft's big product bets in 2015, says channel chief Phil Sorgen

Microsoft's vast partner ecosystem, across 190 countries and hundreds of thousands of businesses, should prepare to take up the call for transformation to a future dominated by the cloud and mobility - if they haven't already. Partners will be hearing this message at WPC 2014 in July, and Microsoft "channel chief" Phil Sorgen made the same case this week to the Seattle chapter of the IAMCP in a briefing.

Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online will be one of a handful of products and initiatives to which Microsoft will bring a greater level of commitment in the next fiscal year to support its strategic goals, Sorgen said.

"CRM Online will be a big bet in a significant way. It will stand out more uniquely than in prior years.  Not that ERP isn't important, but CRM Online will be exaggerated in its intention," he said.

Business intelligence will also hold focus for Microsoft. Sorgen noted big data, predictive analytics, and natural language processing as areas with "a large opportunity to invest in." Other key areas, like social enterprise and mobility are essentially reflect in the WPC 2014 agenda, Sorgen noted.

The word of the day: Transformation

Microsoft's transformation to a focus on the cloud and mobility will require partners to partners to transform their business models as well if they want to remain successful, Sorgen said.

The four primary business models for partners until now - reselling, project services, managed ...