Microsoft Pitches ‘Surface As A Service’ To SMBs

The power suit and a pen and paper might have been the essentials of business a few decades ago, but now, a good computer is all one really needs to log in for work or even start a new business from scratch. At scale, that can be an expensive proposition, which is why Microsoft thinks it’ll have takers on its newest enterprise initiative.

In a blog post, Microsoft’s corporate vice president of its Windows and Devices group, Yusuf Mehdi, announced that the company had officially launched a subscription service for its line of Surface tablets aimed at businesses in need of an infusion of tech without the exorbitant starting costs associated with it. Dubbed the “Surface as a Service” program, it will lease Surface tablets and licenses to Windows 10 and Office 365 to qualified partners.

“Now, our Cloud Solution Providers (who are also Surface Authorized Distributors) can offer Surface devices through a managed service offering to all of our resellers and customers, alongside managed cloud services, Office 365, Windows 10 and relevant ISV software,” Mehdi explained. “This new offering enables flexibility of solutions, faster device refresh and ensures customers can have the latest Surface devices that evolve with the best Windows and Office have to offer. We launched this program with ALSO, a leading CSP out of Europe, and look forward to working with other partners to expand this program globally.”

Mehdi also claimed that Microsoft’s business around its Surface line as a whole has picked up in a big way recently. Though the Macbook competitor may have gotten off to a lackluster start several years ago, Mehdi said that it now generates nearly $1 billion in revenue per quarter for Microsoft, as opposed to the $1 billion annually it pulled in as recently as last year.