US-based Microsoft partner seeks opportunities in APAC

MUMBAI, INDIA: US-based AppDirect, a Microsoft partner offering Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)-based services for online marketplace, is expanding its presence in Asia.

The company has hired Lincoln J Lincoln, who has worked in senior management roles at EMC and Symantec, as its Regional Director. He will be based out of the APAC headquarter in Singapore. It has opened one more office in Japan.

The company offers Globe AppMarket, is a suite of cloud-based business services that include CRM, Web conferencing, marketing/e-marketing and online storage besides other apps.

With the cloud services market in Asia expected to exceed $3 billion in 2015, AppDirect’s expansion will help businesses of all sizes gain access to cloud services such as Microsoft Office 365, Box, and DocuSign through trusted local providers, the company said in a prepared statement.

With its new offices, the company has signed partnerships with telecom service providers such as Globe Telecom in the Philippines, Spark Digital in New Zealand, Telstra in Australia and Samsung.

Moreover, as a Preferred Microsoft Enablement Partner, AppDirect’s expansion in Asia will be a key growth driver for Microsoft’s cloud services business in the region.

“AppDirect has established itself as a key partner for distributing Microsoft’s cloud services around the world,” said James Ang, Senior Director of Hosting and Cloud Services, APAC, Microsoft. “With its expansion in Asia, we have a great opportunity to strengthen our partnership further by bringing Office 365, and our full portfolio of cloud solutions to a vast and rapidly growing market.”

“Working with AppDirect has allowed us to offer the first fully integrated SaaS marketplace in New Zealand, and reinforces our focus on enabling more businesses to unleash their digital potential,” said Mark Redgrave, Head, Marketing, Spark Digital.

“The Asia-Pacific market is a strategic part of our business,” said Richard Dufty, Vice President, Worldwide Sales and Strategic Partners, AppDirect, and a native Australian. “AppDirect’s vision is to drive economic growth in Asia by helping businesses find, buy and use cloud services for improved productivity.”