Microsoft Surface to be sold to enterprise by Dell and HP

[HEXUS]

These partners will provide service, support and warranties for the devices.

Read more.

[crossy]

We have yet to hear of the specific 'Surface Enterprise Initiative' arrangements between Microsoft and HP, Accenture and Avanade.

Can't comment for Avanade or Accenture, but there something on the HP tie up available at: HP Joins the Surface Enterprise Initiative, and yes that seems to be on the same level as Dell's offering - service, support and integration offerings.

Personally I think this is a good move on Microsoft's part. After all, if you really want Surface Pro's to get into those board- and meeting-rooms then you'll really need to get the IT services companies to offer them. And I think tablet/ultrabook hybrids like Surface Pro (and HP's various "X2" models) make a lot more sense than either iPad's or Android tablets (with the exception of possibly the Asus Transformer's - although even there having Windows10 is a pretty strong plus point in favour of the Surface).

Disclaimer: although HP pays my wages this month, anything I've said above is my personal opinion/view rather than a company one. Don't blame me, I'm just an engineer...

[Arulmani]

Cool ! This year lot of noteworthy good news for Microsoft !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Myss_tree]

How long before Dell / HP branded Surface's appear?

[crossy]

How long before Dell / HP branded Surface's appear?

Me personally, I'd be very surprised if that ever happened - don't forget that both of these companies have their own lines of Surface competitors. No, I suspect that this announcement is more to please those CIO's who want a single source solution - so Microsoft software and hardware, serviced by Microsoft partners. What might make life very interesting though is if these "Surface Enterprise Initiative" customers are then also offered a telephony solution - after all if the datacentres are running Windows (Server), the desktops and road-warriors are running Windows (10) then just think how much easier it would be if your sales staffs were using Windows (Phone 10) too? Rather than those nasty, hassle-laden iPhones and Galaxy's?

Like I said before, if this play comes off then it could be very, very lucrative for Redmond - and heck, it might even jump-start Windows phones into being more than just a curiosity*. And the trickle-down effect - i.e. if Joe Public's using Windows tablets & phones at work then getting one for personal use becomes more of a no-brainer.

(* yes, I'm doing them a disservice, but take a look at the market share v's iOS or Android)