VAR beats competition to become third Microsoft SaaS partner in UK

Security VAR Netstore is aiming to double its ISV partner base after being crowned Microsoft’s third software as a service (SaaS) incubation centre in the UK.

Microsoft launched the programme last year to speed its ISVs’ transition from an on-premise to a SaaS delivery model as more end users embrace hosted applications. NTT Europe Online and 7global have already been signed in the UK.

Alan Edwards, marketing director at Netstore, said: “We have to find the ISVs ourselves. This gives us a Microsoft-facilitated forum to get in touch with them more quickly.”

“We work with between 12 and 18 ISVs, but we now have the potential to double that. This gives us an open door into a number of ISVs we can start discussions with.”

Edwards claimed that Netstore, which is offering consulting services to ISV partners, trumps NTT and 7global courtesy of its strong heritage in security.

“Where we differ is we are not just an old-style ISP; we have strong consulting and integrating capabilities around Microsoft technology and can deliver applications securely over the network. Security is often a big issue when ISVs are making the change,” he said.

Michael Korbacher, director of web application hosting at Microsoft International, said: “In close to 100 per cent of cases of ISVs looking for venture capital funding, it is mandatory that SaaS is part of their business model. We’re now seeing end users requesting this type of service.”

“Netstore is a great addition to the programme due to its focus on finance and the public sector.”