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Microsoft Names Crayon Group as Licensing Solution Provider in UAE

By Tara Seals, TMCnet Contributor

Microsoft (News - Alert) just gained a new-but-old ally in the Middle East: Crayon Group’s subsidiary in the region has been appointed as a Microsoft Licensing Solution Provider (LSP) in the United Arab Emirates.

Crayon offers software asset management (SAM), cloud services, volume licensing and associated consulting offerings, and is already a Microsoft top 10 global LSP overall (LSPs were formerly known as Large Account Resellers, or LARs). It’s also the Microsoft Global CA (News - Alert) LSP Partner of the Year 2014, having beaten out more than 700 license resellers at the Microsoft 2014 World Partner Conference earlier this autumn.

This most recent accreditation reinforces the business's position within the Microsoft universe, execs said.

"Crayon and Microsoft have enjoyed a history of mutually successful achievements and a long-term worldwide partnership for more than a decade,” said Joachim Hagstrom, Crayon’s Middle East CEO. “The Licensing Solution Provider status in the United Arab Emirates confirms our alignment with Microsoft's innovative approach towards the local market and we look forward to jointly support our customers with cost-effective licensing solutions to ensure the finest transformation of any business operation at all levels."

The local LSP status will serve UAE mid-to-large enterprises, with relevant agreements to be transacted by Crayon's Middle East operation as of November 2014. Crayon Middle East will manage Microsoft volume licensing programs in the UAE, including enterprise agreements, select, select plus, government, academic and GGWA for large organizations and MPSA & enrollment for the education sector.

Crayon's go to market solutions comprise service delivery; relevant logistics, compliance fundamentals, solutions development and consultancy, advisory and legal compatibility.

“The specialized know-how and expertise within the software licensing team at Crayon Middle East, who have a profound understanding of customers' needs within the local dynamic market, allows the business's MEA private and public sector client's access to some of the best skills and tool sets in the world to facilitate true optimization of their IT estates,” the company said.