Microsoft bets big on huge SMB base in India

Global technology giant Microsoft is betting big on India's 40 million strong small and medium business (SMB) base for the next level of growth in the country, with its 'mobile first' solutions.

With the country moving ahead with 3G and 4G technology and most small businesses taking a smartphone first approach, Microsoft believes that it is in a much better position to cater to these SMBs in different parts of the country.

It has a huge variety of services available on Microsoft cloud which includes Office 365, Azure and CRM Online for different sectors including government, education, banking, financial services and insurance, utility and enterprise.

"Under our mobile first approach, we provide SMBs various efficient and low cost tools. Our target is to reach out to the maximum number of the 40 million SMB base in the country. Therefore we are raising awareness via various industry bodies, government agencies, academia, NGOs," said Meetul Patel, General Manager - SMS&P (Small and Midmarket Solutions & Partners), Microsoft India.

Traditionally, Microsoft is known to be an enterprise focused company.

According to Patel, cloud gives SMBs access to cutting-edge tools and technology that, earlier, only a large enterprise could afford, and helps them reach to serve global markets without having to contend with big investments upfront.

"SMB organisations are adopting the cloud more quickly than larger enterprises, which gives them a distinct advantage to adapt faster, quickly and enable employees to work anywhere at any time. All this has led to a growing demand of customised and/or tailor-made solution from different industry sectors," he added.

Microsoft offers its customers a suite of on-premises and cloud solutions in both public and private cloud environments with the help of its huge partner ecosystem. By offering a hybrid approach, it better addresses the evolving needs of SMBs.

Last year, the software giant launched a cloud adoption programme for SMBs in India called 'Cloud Solution Provider' (CSP). SMBs can adopt value-added solutions and offerings supporting their specific requirements on the cloud through Microsoft CSP.

Microsoft's productivity offerings on cloud has been further integrated and strengthened with Windows 10 and Office 2016 features that boosts collaboration and efficiency of the workforce.

According to the company, its cloud service business has posted a healthy double-digit growth in the country. The company recently collaborated with Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) to assist around 200,000 SMBs across Karnataka to adopt technology with cloud computing.

While, the company does not give country specific investment numbers, it has spent $15 billion on cloud computing over the last five years.