Channel Beat: Microsoft Addresses Office 365, Surface Controversies

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In his first interview with CRN, Microsoft Channel Chief Phil Sorgen addressed recent controversial decisions around Office 365 cuts and Surface distribution, moves that left partners very unhappy.

Sorgen took over as corporate vice president of Microsoft’s Worldwide Partner Group in late August. In the interview, he said the backlash against the Office 365 changes was a lesson in communication. ’If a single partner didn’t know, then there’s a gap,’ he said.

Sorgen also addressed Surface's still-limited distribution strategy, saying, "At this point in time, we don't think it makes sense for us to expand because we can't do it fully to the degree that we want to."

HP, meanwhile, is stepping up competition with IBM in the SAP server business, unleashing a new HP Shark ConvergedSystem for SAP HANA that target’s IBM’s market share. The release comes as IBM is in the process of selling its x86 server business to Lenovo.

And Google and Cisco are joining forces to bring WebEx and other Cisco Unified Communications apps to Chromebooks. The move could mean more low-cost Google laptops in the enterprise. space.