HubOne launches partner program for SMBs, accountants

Cloud integrator HubOne has launched a partner program to drive the adoption of Australian partners selling Microsoft Online Services.

Under the program HubOne would create a national partner base to migrate SMB customers to the cloud platform. However, the integrator would continue to sell directly to end-users in NSW with more than 250 seats.

HubOne managing director Nick Beaugeard said the integrator would focus on "larger and more complex migrations".

“We have a set of tools to streamline smaller customers and we’re seeing a small take-up [of Microsoft Online Services] from the Microsoft partner community.

"We thought wouldn’t it be a great idea for us to bring it to those guys in the form of partners,” Beaugeard told CRN.

Beaugeard said he had spent several months working with 15 foundation partners such as Telstra reseller Parracom Communications to “construct a mutually beneficial structure, operating model, financial model and business program”.

“This is really around increasing the type of partners,” he said. "It’s letting us scale and we’ve made a huge point that we won’t create channel conflict."

Under the program, partners would continue to provision Microsoft Online Services through the software giant's exclusive partnership with Telstra under a monthly fee. The partner would charge for the migration and receive a discount from HubOne. 

"We give the partner of record a fee back and they also get a big discount," he said. “We want our partners to own the customer, we’ll help in the backend."

Beaugeard planned to target partners from a variety of industries outside the IT channel. He flagged accountants as likely partners.

“We’re talking to a lot of accountants where we give them a trailing commission.

“Most small business accountants have got businesses coming to them where they buy the accounting package and advise on how to reduce tax implications and costs.

"This is a great way to reduce costs,” he said.

Partners can access the following services from HubOne:

• Microsoft Office 365 Assessment – An automated and rapid assessment tool and framework for Office 365.
• Microsoft BPOS Migration –  a fixed price migration service by HubOne that partners can resell.
• Microsoft Office 365 Planning – the technology, documentation and assistance to help partners and customers prepare for the new release.