The Times, They Are A Changin’: Red Hat & Microsoft Partner Up
If you have yet to hear the news, Red Hat and Microsoft recently announced a new partnership that will see Red Hat solutions integrated into our cloud platform Azure. Red Hat becomes the preferred platform for enterprise Linux workloads on Azure and the two companies will now work together to provide our industry with exciting new app dev tools.
Even though I had heard about a partnership in the works, this announcement still felt surreal. After all, the genesis of the open source movement had everything to do with rejecting proprietary platforms in favour of a “free and shared by all” philosophy. I recall feeling that animus between the two camps at times resembled something of a Cold War, at least amongst geeks, complete with lots of rhetoric and chest-thumping.
So what’s changed here? What gives?
At Microsoft, this partnership points to an evolving philosophy about our role in the industry and how we want to support established and emerging platforms, not just our own. As one of the most inclusive cloud platforms ever, Azure is a shining example of this philosophy. Windows 10 follows this lead by offering developers tools to create apps across devices. And, yes, Office for Mac 2016 shows lots of love and respect for Apple users.
Sure, we’d love everyone to use and evangelize our products, but we also recognize the value of choice and the power of diversity. Entrepreneurs, including those in the open source movement, are the engine of our industry. Their creativity, passion and hard work inspires us and, collectively, has helped make technology one of the most dynamic and influential industries in the world.
As a “Microsoft guy,” I believe that our company’s leadership is demonstrating a maturity and long-term perspective that will help encourage developers, entrepreneurs and other professionals to collaborate like never before.
Is the time for turf wars over? Is the spirit of partnership winning the day? Let’s hope so. Certainly, this spirit could not be truer than it is with you and our other esteemed partners here at home. Our commitment to help grow your business, or more specifically to growing our business together, remains steadfast and strong. We’re here to listen, to learn and to provide you with all of the help, resources, ideas and enthusiasm we can.
Who knows? You might just be the next Red Hat.
Jason
Channel Chief @ Microsoft Canada
@jbrommet