Tribridge introduces cloud channel program that's heavy on strategy and support

Microsoft's cloud-first mindset hasn't evolved in a vacuum. One of the notable trends at Worldwide Partner Conference 2014 (WPC) has been the accelerated push by cloud early-adopters in the Microsoft Dynamics space to position themselves as the service providers of choice for the rest of the channel, offering an accelerated path, support and simplification - for a price.

As Microsoft has made its case for partners and users adopting Dynamics ERP and CRM in the cloud, they have distinguished between three main approaches to the opportunity - do-it-yourself, managed services, or bundled solutions. And there already examples of each being held out by Microsoft. To some extent, they would like to see more partners develop end to end cloud expertise. But there is also a notable desire by Microsoft to guide cloud novices to some of the partners who have already done DIY, who have learned the lessons, absorbed the upfront investments, and emerged wiser and (presumably) with a new and more successful business model.

For ISVs looking to put their own solutions in the cloud, the call from Microsoft is equally strong, but the complexity of the organizational, financial, and strategic transformation can be daunting. Many vendors have already been burned by one or more false starts. US-based Dynamics partner and Master VAR Tribridge has put forth a new initiative of its own this week, adding a channel partner program to its private cloud offering, Concerto Cloud Services.  The program is as nearly as much a business consulting and coaching program as it is cloud sales mechanism for the firm.

Much like a firm that helps VARs simplify the bundling of standard Microsoft cloud products, Tribridge wants to accelerate cloud usage by simplifying the ISV journey ...