Microsoft Remains A Partner-Focused Company

Nadella opened by reiterating Microsoft's focus on the channel. "This ethos of being partner-led is always going to be in everything we do," Nadella said.

Nadella said the Microsoft partner ecosystem employs some 17 million globally. He also said there are now 64,000 partners selling Microsoft cloud solutions.

In a brief speech before Nadella's, Ron Huddleston, Microsoft corporate vice president and head of the company's One Commercial Partner organization, touted Microsoft's efforts to create a single point of contact for partners through his operation. He also cited the company's plans to spend $250 million on more go-to-market efforts for partners and to hire new channel managers to work with partners in their sales efforts.

Last week, CRN and others reported on a planned reorganization of Microsoft's sales operations that could result in layoffs of 3,000 or more employees. Microsoft partners said the reorganization could result in a greater emphasis on the channel by Microsoft and sharpen the company's focus on industry solutions.