- Chinese software considered “vetted partner solutions” in Microsoft policy update
- China ISVs can now sell their software through the commercial marketplace
- Sellers will have access to millions of customers and partner offers
Microsoft has updated its policy to allow Chinese independent software vendors (ISVs) to sell through its commercial marketplace.
An update from January 8 confirms: “Independent software vendors (ISVs) in China can now monetize their solutions globally through Microsoft’s commercial marketplace.”
In a surprise move, given Western restrictions on the People’s Republic, Microsoft’s move would give Chinese ISVs opportunities to sell to “millions of enterprise customers” around the world.
Microsoft opens its commercial market to Chinese ISVs
As part of the change, Microsoft partners will also be able to resell products from Chinese ISVs. The tech giant describes its marketplace as a “catalog of vetted partner solutions.”
With its updated policy, the company says ISVs in China will be able to increase their revenue by reaching customers in more than 140 countries. They will also be able to use the Microsoft marketplace to simplify their billing and payments.
Despite Microsoft’s invitation to Chinese companies to participate in the global market, many governments are concerned about laws in China that could force developers and companies to share customer data with authorities, putting information at risk. confidential.
We’ve already seen the result of this, with apps like TikTok being banned on government devices and the threat of outright bans on the grounds that data could be stored in China, raising questions about security.
The Registry He also raised valid concerns about the availability of supporting documents in localized languages, including English.
More generally, Western governments, including the United States, have also imposed restrictions on the import and export of technologies and hardware to and from China. Microsoft’s move, then, seems counterintuitive.
