Small businesses may find themselves better served by Microsoft-oriented product resellers and solution providers, due to the software giant's establishment of a team of local business development managers.The consultants, support providers, and channel partners who have built their operations on supplying Microsoft solutions to small businesses have been worried that Microsoft's recent focus on its hosted Software as a Service offerings would conflict with their business models. As a way of strengthening their position, Microsoft will distribute 10 local business development managers throughout the country to help such providers expand their opportunities with small businesses. The managers will help with marketing support and demand generation, as well as hosting events for small-business customers.

"There's no doubt that there is fear among partners, and some are more afraid than others," said Mark Crall, president of Charlotte Tech Care Team, a Microsoft Small Business Specialist in Charlotte, N.C. "The initiative shows that Microsoft is taking steps to avoid losing its foothold on new and emerging small businesses."ChannelWeb