Stone gets Microsoft thumbs-up and Redstor adds Azure support

Stone has added more depth to its position in the education sector after being recognised as an expert Microsoft Device Sales Specialist.

The award is given to partners that demonstrate they can support educational institutions with their Microsoft device needs and prove that they have knowledge, licensing expertise, technical expertise and have shown they can deliver high levels of customer satisfaction.

Gaining the status, which only a handful of UK partners receive, means Stone will get access to technical support and training from the vendor, marketing assistance and funding to promote sales into primary and secondary schools.

Simon Harbridge, CEO at Stone Group, said the firm had been developing its Microsoft services in the education market. “The award, in addition to our Microsoft Gold Partner status, is testament to our close relationship with Microsoft and ability to serve the education sector,” he said. “When working with an expert Education Device Sales Specialist, education institutions will have peace of mind and total confidence that they are dealing with a qualified and experienced provider.

“The education sector has faced unprecedented times over the past year, and the quick and efficient procurement of appropriate devices has played a more crucial role than ever before. This will continue to be integral to the quality of education and support offered to students as we move forward, and the support of a trusted, quality education-specific solutions provider will be invaluable.”

Elsewhere in the Microsoft ecosystem, Redstor has announced it is making services available to help other partners manage and protect user data on Azure and Office 365.

Redstor’s offering will help arm service providers with the tools to identify and remove threats, backup and restore Kubernetes environments on Azure and migrate more of their information to the cloud platform.

The firm will be able to use AI technology to ensure it can give Microsoft partners in the UK and further afield, including Asia-Pacific, Europe, the US and Africa, the tools they need.

“Our new offerings leverage the Microsoft Azure data and AI stack to offer end-user customers an enhanced layer of data protection,” said Paul Evans, CEO at Redstor. “Azure enables us to scale geographically at speed, and it gives partners a greater level of flexibility in deploying data management solutions.”

John Chirapurath, vice-president, Azure AI, data and edge at Microsoft, said the company welcomed Redstor adding more value to the wider partner ecosystem.

“Redstor is bringing new solutions to market that add value to data management,” he said. “AI-driven malware protection is a great example of this, providing Microsoft partners with an additional layer of security for their customers. Redstor continues to offer our partner community enhanced data protection and the ability to drive Azure consumption and increase repeatable revenue streams.”