Experts say Microsoft is not disrupting the channel: Jefferies

Investing.com -- Microsoft’s move to reduce Enterprise Agreement fees is not causing significant disruption for value-added resellers (VARs), as fee declines have been an ongoing trend and are a manageable part of the business.

While Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) has been reducing fees for Enterprise Agreements, this trend has been ongoing for years, and managing such changes is a core competency for the channel, Jefferies said. Third-party confirmation of this aligns with feedback from VAR management teams, supporting a more positive sentiment in the sector.

Jefferies highlighted that Bytes Technology (LON:BYIT) could be a key beneficiary of this stability.

While lower EA fees pose a headwind, VARs have long adapted to similar changes. The shift toward Cloud Solution Provider (CSP (LON:CSPC)) contracts, which bundle software with VAR support, could offer a more profitable alternative, particularly for mid-market customers, Jefferies said.

The firm added that third-party confirmation of these dynamics supports positive sentiment in the sector, with Bytes Technology seen as a potential key beneficiary.