Cloud Executive: Microsoft Would 'Wither On the Vine and Die' Without Partners

Microsoft National Cloud Partner Sales Senior Manager William Lewallen assured partners that as the company ventures into new cloud territories, the channel remains top-of-mind for Microsoft executives.

Lewallen, speaking at the NexGen Cloud Conference in Anaheim, Calif., said he has heard some Microsoft partners fear that the company was pursuing a more direct sales-heavy strategy.

Lewallen said if that was the case, ’Our business will wither on the vine and die. We don’t want that, and I know that you don’t want that.’

’I know that our leaders are more committed than ever to the channel,’ he added.

Lewallen said he sees particular opportunity for cloud channel partners around Azure, Microsoft's cloud platform.

’Our program has become very, very successful quickly, with a long way to go. This is kind of the next gold mine for us to harvest together,’ he said.

’At the end of the day, if people want a simplified business experience, they’re not going to get it from us, they’re going to get it from you,’ he added.