The Master VAR concept is designed to give smaller resellers, who would not meet the requirements of the new Microsoft channel program. In its warning to other groups, Microsoft told VARs that this organizations "who are operating together in violation of the SPA run the risk of losing the right to provide Microsoft Dynamics ERP software and services to end-customers." What's interesting is that neither dealer selected is a Microsoft-only shop. The SBS Group carries Deltek and Sage's MAS 500. Socius has several times made both the Dynamics Inner Circle and the Sage President's Circle and sells MAS 90/200/500, Syspro and Sage's CRM products. The SBS Group has spent the last year putting together the SBS Partner Network and has 16 regional offices and has grown through acquiring some resellers and affiliating with others. Joseph Longo, VP of sales and marketing for SBS, said the program is open to Dynamics VARs who meet the program's criteria, which include a desire to grow. Socius also has offices in Cleveland, Ohio; Cincinnati, Ohio; Kansas City, Kan.; and San Jose, Calif.
SBS, SOCIUS NAMED DYNAMICS MASTER VARs
The SBS Group, based in Woodbridge, N.J., and Columbus, Ohio-area Socius have been announced as Master VARs in the new Microsoft Dynamics program. An announcement to the Microsoft channel said that one other candidate is being considered. Microsoft also warned that other channel aggregations, including buying groups, are in violation of their agreements with Microsoft.
