Microsoft's Watson moves into software plus services

Under the new role, Watson will look after the software giant’s software and services (S+S) division.

The department was created to bring together software and Internet services, under one roof.

He will also continue to oversee Microsoft’s security strategy and operational activities.

Watson told CRN his new role will be to counsel channel partners on the key elements of security in an application environment.

“From a partner perspective I can talk to them about what types of applications are run on their customer's premises; their customer’s hosted applications and managing Microsoft services,” he said.

Watson will report directly to Norbert Haehnel, director of developer and platform group at Microsoft Australia.

He will be supported by Stuart Strathdee and Scott Deacon, who have been appointed as strategic security advisor and government security advisor respectively.

microsoft peter services security software watson software