Microsoft's trade-in scheme invites Indian SMBs to exchange older hardware for Azure credits

Microsoft on Friday announced the launch of a Trade-In scheme for small and medium businesses (SMBs) in India, which gives them opportunity to exchange legacy hardware for Windows Azure.   “SMBs are the force drivers of the Indian economy and require agile, flexible and scalable infrastructure to help manage their costs well. This is a fantastic opportunity for SMBs to get value for their legacy hardware and at the same time leap to the cloud using Windows Azure. This transition will help them reduce maintenance costs and get future ready on a modern platform.” said Karan Bajwa - Managing Director, Microsoft India.   To participate in the scheme, organisations have to register through a toll free number 1800 3070 4660 or login to  microsoft.com/india/movetoazure . Microsoft’s authorised hardware recycle partner will contact the participant to assess the residual value of the hardware. Post evaluation, the recycle partner will offer a trade-in quote for the hardware to the scheme participant.  The recycle partner will then arrange to collect the hardware from the participant’s premises. Recycle partner will provide a Purchase Acknowledgement, an eligibility to avail the benefits of the Trade-In Scheme. Based on the residual value of the old hardware determined by the recycle partner, the participant can use the proceeds to obtain monthly credit on Windows Azure, based on an upfront initial commitment.   Through this scheme customers can sell their legacy hardware with the option to use the proceeds towards obtaining monthly credit on Windows Azure, based on an upfront initial commitment, the company officials said.   Windows Azure is an open and flexible platform on the cloud that allows users to build,deploy and manage applications on the Microsoft managed data center, Microsoft India General Manager (SMB) Meetul Patel told reporters.   “Once SMBs have opted for windows Azure usage based on the exchange value of their legacy hardware they will be able to work with any of Microsoft’s Azure circle partners to migrate and expand their infrastructure on Windows Azure.”   He said: “with the new Trade-in scheme, SMBs will now have the opportunity to jumpstart their transaction to the cloud and reap significant benefits.”   The company officials said that based on the residual value of the old hardware determined by the Microsoft authorised recycle partner, the participant can use the proceeds to obtain monthly credit on Windows Azure, based on an upfront initial commitment.   Mumbai-based Justdispose is the recycling partner.   “This transition will help them reduce maintenance cost and get future ready for modern platform.”   Noting that Microsoft is committed to the SMB segment in India, the company said through its 10,000 strong partner network, it is reaching SMBs in over 250 cities in India.   To a question what sort of businesses qualifies to SMB, the company officials said: “…Those companies which have up to 250 PCs.”   The cloud model provides businesses significant benefits in terms of economics, agility and focus. “With the new Trade-In scheme, SMBs will now have the opportunity to jumpstart their transition to the cloud and reap significant benefits.” said Meetul Patel, General Manager, Small and Medium Businesses, Microsoft India. The Trade-In Scheme is valid from March 20, 2014 to June 30, 2014.   PTI