Microsoft takes on IT service role for major customer
Even as Microsoft execs this week reiterated the company's partner-friendly mission, Microsoft's own IT department is taking over IT management for a major customer. That move could be construed as an attempt to compete with the company's service provider partners.
According to a published report, Microsoft's IT group is providing critical technology services including software management and help desk management for Energizer Holdings, the St. Louis company best known for the Energizer Bunny and the batteries it represents.
That deal, which Microsoft acknowledged but has not announced, puts Microsoft in a service provider role that many see as in conflict with the vendor's traditional system integrator allies. The fact that Microsoft IT and not Microsoft Services is handling the job may be small comfort to partners who do similar work.
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